Birmingham state herald., 1897-07-06
Legation of Japan,

HaWall To the United States became available today. The full correspond- ence is as follows:
 Legation of Japan, Washington, June 15, 1897. Sir-I beg again to call your attention to the subject of our interview today, the rumor that the governments of the United States and of Hawaii are Oh the point of concluding a treaty annexlng the Hawaiian islands to this country as a territorial part thereof. As I had the honor to state to you this rumor has been repeated during the past few days with a circumstance detail of which gives it the appearance of authority. It not only 1 states positively that the annexation will soon take place. but also gives with ap- parent precision certain portions of the alleged arrangement which directly af- tects the right acquired by the govern ment of Japan and Japanese subjects by | treaties with Hawaii and under the con- stitution and laws of that country It is | on this account that I desire to repeat l what had the h nor to state in our in er- | View today that my government cannot l view without concern the prospects of a sudden and complete change in the status l of Hawaii whereby the rights of Japan and of Japanese subjects may be imper- filed.
 While therefore they confidently rely upon the United States to maintain to- wards them a just and friendly attitude in this as in all other matters they feel that under the circumstances they cannot De regarded as spectators merely with out interest in the important changes which 1t has so positively asserted is about to take place in the relations of the United States and the Hawaiian islands.
 For this reason, if 1t is really true that a treaty of annexation is about to be concluded, am justified in inquiring of you, MT. Secretary, what provision has been made therein for the preservation and maintenance of the rights acquired and enjoyed by Japan in her intercourse with Hawaii under the solemn oblga- tionS of law and treaty?
 Accept, MT Secretary, the renewed ae- surances of my highest consideration: CSigned) 'TORU HOSHI.
 gro Hon. John Sherman, Secretary of S,ate"
 SHEFNIANsS REPLY. To this Secretary Sherman replied as follows:
 Department of State, Washington, June 16 1S97 Sir:--Replying to your note of the 10th inst, just received. have to say that the governments of Hawaii and the Undt ed States have by their duly author fzed representatives signed treaty an- nexing the Hawaiian Islands to this country This has been done in pursu- ance of a policy long since adopted by the United States, and the treaty will, l understand. be submitted .B the senate of the United States by the president for ra tification. AS to your inquiry as to the provision made therein concerning the Urea ties which may be in existence be- tween Japan and the present Hawaiian government, my understanding Is that the government of the United States does not take upon itself any obligations of tha Hawiian government arising from treat ies or conventions made by it wi;h other governments It Is believed that there Is nothing in the proposed treaty prejudicial to the rights of Japan, and certainly the United States has no disposition to dis tulb the friendly relations that have long existed between the governments of this country and Japan.
 Accept, MT. Minister renewed assur- ances of my highest regard.
 GSigned) JOHN SHERMAN.
 ITO MT. Hoshi'
 JAPAN'S FORMAL PROTEST.
 MT. Hoshi then submitted Japan's formal protest, as follows:
 Legation of Japan,
 Washington, June IF, 1897 ''Sir:-Referrfng to the correspondence which has passed between us regarding the proposed annexation of the Hawaiian Islands to the United Staaes. have ahe honor to inform you that having com municated with my government upon the subject l am now in receipt of instruc- tions from his imperial majesty, the min ister for foreign affairs, in relation there
 
 instructions, beg to state that although the imperial government could not have failed to attach due weight to the state ment in your communication to me of the 18th inst, in your opinion there is nothing in the proposed treaty prejudi- clal to the rights of Japan" they must also have eaken nolae of the fact that in alluding in the same communication 10 existing treaties between Japan and Hawaii, you state that your understand ing Is that the "government of the Limited states does not take upon itself any ob- legations of the Hawaiian government arising from treaties or conventions with other governments 1 have the honor to inform you that I am now instructed by his imperial majesty's government to formally pro;eH, against the proposed annexation of the Hawaiian Islands to the United States.
 This protest is made for the followino, reasons.
 First. the maintenance of the status quo or Hawaii is essential to the good unuei standing Of the powers which have interests in the Pacific
 Second. the annexat tion of Hawaii would tend to endanger the residential commerce and industrial rights of Japan ese subjects in Hawaii, secured to them by treaty and by the constitution and laws of that country.
 Third, such action might lead to the postponement by Hawaii of the settle ment of claims and liabilities already ex- istlES III 1dNOr or Japan under treaty stipulations.
 With reference to mischievous sug- gestfon or report which has been so widely circulated in this country and elsewhere that Japan has designs upon the integrity or sovereignty of Hawaii I am further instructed by the imperial government to state most emphatically and unequivocally that Japan has not now and never had such design or de- signs of any kind whatever against Ha- vail
 Permit me to add in conclusion Mir. Secretary, that in making this protest and in asking full and careful considera-s ton for it. the imperial governments are actuated by what they regard as an im- perative duty and not in the remotest degree by desire to embarrass the United States. They prize most highly the cordial relations which have always
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