The record-union., 1897-07-27

WASHINGTON, July 26.-Following
is the latest protest received at the
State Department from the Minister
OF the japanese Government IN this clty
protesting against the annexation OF
Hawaii The note was under date OF
July 10th, and which is now made pub
lie for the first time:
LEGATION OF JAPAN,
WASHINGTON, July 10th.
''Sir-RepIying to your note of date
the 25th ult., in answer to mine of the
18th ult., regarding the proposed an
nexation of the Hawaiian Islands to the
United States, l have the honor to in
form you that communicated in sub
stance to Count Okuma. from whom
am in receipt Of telegraphic instruc-
tions embodying the views of the I'M
periA Government in relation thereto.
Taking note of what you say in re-
ply to the representation, L have the
honor to make, on behalf of my Gov
ernment, with reference to the necessi-
ty OF maintaining the status quo or Ha-
waf that the Imperial Government has
no hesitation in admitting the predomi-
nant influence of the United States IN
the Hawaiians Islands.
I'm it's opinion, however, the very
fact that such predominance has exist
ed so long unquestioned might be urged
as a reason against the disturbance of
the status quo, more especially as prac-
tically the whole population of Hawaii
acknowledge the paramount Importance
of the relations of their country with
the United States, while it is under
off hot
number favor annexation
From this ii may be reasonably in
ferred that the predominant and para
mount influence of the United States,
which, as you remark, has been the one
essential feature of the status quo
through three-quaTters of a century, in
which the constitution and Government
of Hawaii and the commerce of the
islands with the world have undergone
notable changes furnishes on the one
hand the amplest guarantee against
anything inimical TO either the United
States. or Hawaii, while on the other
hand, it obviates the necessity Of
change in existing conditions which will
injuriously affect the interests of
others.
THE policy of colonial expansion
among European countries was espe
cially active on the Pacific during the
last decade ending 1892, and as a result
nearly all eof the island groups then au
tonOmousspasSed under the sway of va
Iious Western powers. By common ac-
cord the. Powers have recently appeared
willing to stay their hands, and inter
national rivalry and conflicting inter
ests are now the best guarantees for
the continued sovereign existence of the
few remaining island groups. Yet the
absorption by the United States of such
an important part of the remaining un-
appropriated region as Hawaii would
doubtless be the signal for the removal
Sof dormant territorial ambition in the
Pacific, and the last vestige of a native
autonomy would disappear And it is
mot too much to apprehend that a par
tial redistribution of colonial possess
sions among the various Western pow
ers might also follow.
''It can easily be seen how thfs would
affect the interests of Japanese subjects
who are now engaging in increasing
numbers in various undertakings and
enterprises in the Pacific with profit TO
themselves and advantage to Japan It
was precisely on account of the preva-
F1ence of this spirit of colonial absorp-
Mion that one of your honorable prede-
HeSsorS was led to declare to the Ger
man Government that your Govern
anent attached great Importance to the
maintenance of the rights to which the
United States becomes entitled in the
few remaining regions now under in
dependent and autonomous native gov
ernments in the Pacific ocean,
'"The justice of that declaration can
mot be questioned, and the Impe-
TiaI Government, entertaining similar
views, could not behold with fndiffer-
I-ernments that would extinguish jap
anese rights.
~They have no intention of question
sng the actual situation in the Pacific
and certainly no desire to in any wise
disturb it; but their position in that
part of the world renders it impossible
for them to view with unconcern and in
a spirit Of acquiescence the conse-
quenees which would probably follow
the extinction of the Hawaiian SOW
ereignty.
THE Imperial Government recog-
niZes it as a well established principle
of international law that the compile
tion of annexation would render the
listing between Japan and Hawaii void
able, either at the option of Japan OF
the United States, but they cannot an
ticipate without apprehension the con-
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