Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-06-24
WHY JAPAN PROTESTS
Objection to the United States Ac-
quiring Hawaii.
REASON FOR Mr.. MORGAN'S BILL
1t is Designed to Fit an Emer-
gency.
NO NEED FOR EARLY ACTION

The gist of the protest OF Japan to Ha-
waiian annexation, which was read to the
| Senate committee ON foreign relations yes
| terday, is as follows: Il.
The acquisition of Hawaii by annexation
| to the United States would deprive the
| resident japanese in the islands of rights
| 10 which they are at present entitled un-
| der the present treaty with Hawaii. At
present there are 5000 japanese in the
| islands, with large property rights. and
| under the present conditions they are en-
| titled to become citizens of Hawaii. In
case of annexation these japanese could
| not become citizens Of the United States, as
the decisions of United States circuit courts
are to the effect that no Asiatic can be-
| come citizen of the United States. BY
annexation the japanese now resident IN
| Hawaii would be subject to any measures
that might be adopted by the United
States. They would lose the right to be-
come citizens and to vote; the large inter-
ests owned by japanese citizens in the is
| lands would be greatly teopardized: there
fCre the japanese government must firmly
protest against the proIS sed annexation.
HaHaiians in Washington insist that the
! reason for the protest of Japan against an
neXation is that Japan really desires to
acquire the islands herself. The main
point of contention between Japan and
Hawaii over the treaty between the coun-
tries, it is learned, is upon the wording of
the treaty which Hawaii seeks 10 abro-
gate. This treaty has a provision that it
may be terminated at any time by mu-
tual consent" This is construed by the
japanese government TO mean that the
treaty cannot be terminated without the
consent of both governments. and as long
as Japan insists upon keeping IL i'm force IL
cannot be abrogated. The Hawaiian con-
lentlon Is that the words have no such
meaning, and that any contract or agree
ment can be dissolved by mutual consent
as matter OF course; that if the claim of
japan was valid the treaty would be in
effect permanently.
IL Is understood that Japan insists that
ner present claims must be acknowledged
ana accepted by the United States in cafe
OF annexation. although protesting against
annexation.
No Need for EARLY Action
The advocates of the annexation of Ha-
wall do not intend to attempt the passage
at this session Of the bill introduced by Mr..
Morgan yesterday to accomplish arnexa.
ton as provided in the treaty There ia
no such hurry about the matter as to ne
cessftate action at this time. The treaty
having been signed and notice given the
world that the annexation is to take place
nothing Is to be lost by letting the matter
go over until the regular session.
IL is evident that the treaty will grow
stronger, rather than be injured, by the
delay. and favorable action at the proper
tme is regarded as practically a foregone
conclusion.
The foreign relations committee are four
TO one in favor of annexation, and they
will be ready for action Immediately after
Congress reassembles in December
They do not anticipate that there will
be the necessity to resort 10 the passage
of the Morgan bill.
To Fit an Emergency.
This bill was prepared to fit an emer-
gency should one arise. A very large ma
jority of the Senate favor the treaty, but
there has been no reliable canvass made
Therefore, II might be that on a vote they
would be one or two votes short of the
necessary two-thirds.
This is not anticipated. but to guard
against the possible contingency it was
thought best that the proposition for am
neXation by the Legislation of both houses
which does not require a two-thirds vote
should be put under way.
II II Is found when Congress meets that
the treaty is short of a two-thirds vote I'm
the Serate, the Morgan bill will be report
ed and put through the House and Senate
Meanwhile, nothing is contemplated TO
be done at this session.