Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-06-25

DSTudDlOIldl Law AllOWS.
Washington, June 24.-The gist of
the protest of Japan to Hawaiian an
nexation, which was read in the Senate
committee on foreign relations yester-
day, is as follows:
The acquisition of Hawaii by annex
alton by the United States would de-
prive the resident Japanese in the ISL
ands of rights to which they are at
present entitled under the present
treaty with Hawaii. At present there
are $4,000 Japanese in the islands with
large property rights, and under the
present conditions they are entitled to
become citizens of Hawaii
In case of annexation these Japanese
could not become citizens of the United
States. as the decisions of the United
States Circuit Courts are TO the effect
that no Asiatic can become 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 become citizens
and to vote, the large interests owned
by Japanese citizens in the islands
would be greatly jeopardized. There
fore. the japanese government must
firmly protest against the proposed an
neXation.
Hawaiians in Washington insist that
the reason for the protest of Japan
against annexation is that Japan really
desires to acquire the islands herself.
The main point of contention between
Japan and Hawaii over the treaty be-
tween the two countries, it is learned,
is as to the wording of the treaty which
Hawaii seeks to abrogate. This treaty
has a provision that it may be ter
minated at any time by mutual con-
sent" This is construed by the Jap
anese government to mean that the
treaty cannot be terminated without
the consent of both governments, and
as long as Japan insists upon keeping
it in force it cannot be abrogated. The
Hawaiian contention is that the words
have no such meaning, and that any
contract or agreement can be dissolved
bv mutual consent as a matter OF
course; that if the claim of Japan was
valid the treaty would be in effect per-
manently.
1t is understood that Japan insists
that her present claims must be
acknowledged and accepted by the
United States in case Of annexation, al
though protesting against annexation,
London, June 24.-In the House OF
Commons to-day, the parliamentary
secretary for the foreign office, Mr..
Curzon. replied to the question of Mr..
Beckett. Conservative, regarding Ha-
waiian annexatin.
Mr. Becketts question was whether
the government was aware that
Queen Liloukalani has been deposed
bv a small body of Americans, who,
without right or title, have assumed
sovereignty over Hawaii, and now, to
save themselves from the resentment
of the people, have requested the
American government to annex Hawaii,
and whether Great Britain proposes to
allow this most important coaling sta
ton to pass into the hands of the
United States without protest"
Mr.. Curzon said her majesty's gov
ernment did not feel called upon to
express an opinion relative to the cir
cumstances out of which the present
situation in Hawaii had arisen. The
government was aware that a proposal
to annex Hawaii to the United States
had been submitted by the President OF
the United States for the consideration
of the United States Senate, but no de-
cision had been reached. Mr.. Curzon
added that it would be the object or
her majesty's government to see that
whatever rights, according to interna-
tional law. belong to Great Britain and
to British subjects. are fully main
tained.
UNWORTHY OF NOTICE.