New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-06-24
JAPAN'S PROTEST ANSWERED.
THE STATE DEPARTMENTS ARGUMENT
FOR ANNEXATION OF HAWAII
MEMBERS OF THE FOREIGN RELATIONS CoM-
MITTEE CONSIDER THE PROTEST MORE
SERIOUS MATTER THAN 1T HAS
HITHERTO APPEARED

HITHERTO APPEARED
TO BE
Washington June 23-The State Department
has practically completed its reply to the Japan
csc protest against the Hawaiian annexation
treaty. but has not yet delivered it. The reply
is understood to be dignifed in tone. and strong
legal defence OF the position Of this country
which, without in any sense abatng American
claims still does not disdain to support them by
elaborate citations Of precedent and international
law.
The protest from Japan. which was received
by the Committee on Foreign Relations to-day
is considered in more serious light than was at
first made apparent. and the committee TOOK
exceptional precautions to prevent the publlca-
ton of its proceedings The protest was accept
ed as almost an ultimatum on Japan's part 10
the effect that the treaty must not be perfected
1t is not a protest against the form or the docu-
ment as had been supposed In some quarters
but against the document itself. or. rather.
against the transaction. as being opposed u
Japan's interests. The specific reason alleged
for the protest is that the contamination or tne
agreement between Hawaii and the United states
would disturb the existing trade relations IN the
Northern Pacific and nullify treaty rights.
The protest is in such definite terms, and IS
| directed SQuarely at aHneNdtlol az ~ 'h"'N
! the committee to feel that the matter shouid oe
| handled with the utmost circumspectloh, as 'he
! ONLY way In which complications OF a serious
! nature can be avoided. While there IS no dspo-
siton on the part Of majority OF the commute
/ 10 weaken In support Of the treaty there II d
general feeling that the matter cans lor graz
! dcberation and especial care. hence the aP
pointment of subcommittee to consiuer al tne
details the decision to keep the proceedings IRON
the public and the probability that the coil,-
tee NAV not be able to report at the present seS-
sion of Congress.
/ With reference to the latter point. IL IL proDa-
! hIe that the matter viii be held in allegiance by
/ the sub. committee until Congress meets III rebu
! lar session next December. FOR the doupie Pu
! pose of permitting the committee 10 ihahc i.H
| investigation as thorough as possible ana ~
! hermit the Administration to exert It's pest ei
| forts through the use of diplomacy to persuade
/ Japan of the unwisdom of her course. IL Is UNI
| derstood that this delay is In accordance WIZ
/ the wishes of the Administration as intindteu
to members of the Senate. ,..
The opinion expressed in the coihli. u,
| that a document Of the character OF tha' hieu
| by Japan would. if presented by nation n,oi
| nearly the equal Of the United states ieau ~
| very serious difficulties. but there IL a eencid
! desire 10 extend unusual consideration TO japan
NOT only because Of the uniformly friendly reia
lions existing with that country nut also We
cause il is felt that Japan's success III her N'i
with China may have aroused spirit Oh con-
| hatiVcncss which is not Warrant'd' III ute oi"
ion of the members of the committee u! III '
size and importance as compared WITH 'nS
| init