The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1897-07-08
HIGH JAPANESE
OFFICIAL TALKS
Protests Vigorously Against the New
American Tariff Bill.
VIEWS ON HAWAIIAN NATTER
Japan Had No Idea Of Nenacing independence
Of haNsii-united States Should Main
tain the Status Qao.

Washington. July THE Washington
Star publishes a noteworthy Interview
with Count okuma, japanese minister
gf foreign affairs This interview was
secured by Theodore Noyes one OF the
editors Of the Star. who IS now travel
Ing IN Japan. The count protests Wig
crously against the new American tariff.
which he says will greatly retaro the
development OF the important, reciprocal
trade between Japan and the United
States. News that the United States had
taken steps toward the annexation OF
Hawaii had not then reached Japan. and
Count Okuma did not believe It possible
the United States would take such a step.
Japan recognizes that the relations b.
tween the United States and Hawaii are
very Intimate" said the japanese leader
The Americans are In the majority
among the whites. They own most Of
the property. They have a large majority
in the present cabinet As Hawaii lies
between the United States and Japan.
somewhat nearer TO the United States.
some people on the islands have already
sought annexation by the United States
But that republic should b. satisfied with
upholding the Independence Of Hawaii.
Both the United States and Japan have
an interest In maintaining the status
quo"
What is the present status OF the Ha-
waiian Controversy
For some unknown reason. the Ha-
waliaa government has obstructed the en-
trance OF Japanese into the Islands, which
it had previously invited. Three ship
loads have been stopped, and not only
the people on these ships, but others on
their way to Hawaii have suffered dam
age. This act is in violation OF the
treaty. The Japanese government and
the Japanese people have no idea Of men
aclEg the independence OF Hawaii. Moth
ing could be further from their wishes
and purpose They will be qulS content
II their treaty rights are observed and
respected Japan's position is so just
and reasonable that fully expect q SAT-
isfactory settlement by negotiations, and
do not apprehend any serious trouble"
us Il not possible that II the japanese
in Hawaii are permitted 10 incrca0e until
they form majority in numbers and
power. they may get beyond control of
their home government and make serious
trouble In spite of just and friendly at
titude Of the government of Japan
Il do not entertain any such apprehen-
sion. An order issued by the consul-gen-
eral in Hawaii is now effective through
out the 25OO0 immigrants. They are peace
able and law-abidng people, who so
there with no other object than money
making Obedience to legal authority is
natural Characteristic of them, | do
not believe that there would be any trou-
ble II the number were indefinitely in
creased"
III the Japanese had majority Of the
population, might not they overturn the
existing government and obtain control
merely by demanding and securing rep
resentation IN the Hawaiian legislative
body?"
Most of them do not go there to re-
side for any length OF time. They re-
turn to Japan after a few years money
making. The individual Japanese in Ha-
wall are constantly changing. They have
no political interests in the country"
Notwithstanding these reassu1ng words
of Count okuma, Mr.. Noyes, who is a
careful observer, gives it as his opinion
that II the United States had not taken
steps to annex Hawaii, Japan would GER
tainly have done so.