The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1897-05-05
JAPANESE ANNEXATION.

more carefully than at the first glance,
one can get at the underlying views of
the Press, whatever the views of the
Government may be. Whatever may
be said denying that Japan has any
aspirations in the direction of these
islands, there is no doubt that deep
down there are such aspirations. The
time is not ready for any move, but
Japan wishes this to remain as a pos
sible spot where to plant the chrysan-
themum at some future time.
One of the greatest bugbears of the
japanese Press is that the United
States should annex Hawaii. Again
and again is it urged that in dealing
with the immigration question Japan
must be very careful not to throw Ha-
wall into the arms of the United
States. One paper specially states
that there are twenty-five thousand
Japanese subjects in Hawaii and that
that fact gives Japan a right to be
heard first in any discussion of the
question of annexation" The same
paper adds that Japan must maintain
her rights against the United States,
if need be. Another paper speaks of
the japanese Navy, compares it with
that of the United States and sug-
gests possibilities of the bombardment
of San Francisco. Another dislikes
republican form of Government in the
Hawaiian islands. If one casts ones
mind back to the time of Kalakaua,
there was talk of marrying Kaiulani
to a japanese Prince. Exactly how
much correspondence was carried on
over the affair will never be known.
for the letters are not to be found in
the Foreign Office. but letters there
were, so that even as far back as that
period there was a willingness on the
part of Japan to coquet with Hawaii
and acquire an influence here, which,
on his side, Kalakaua and his Minister.
w. NJ. Gibson, We're quite willing to
give. Still another paper suggests
that if the UNITED States attempt to
incorporate Hawaii into the Union,
Great Britain would be prepared to
cooperate with Japan in opposing
it," Several papers speak of the send
ing down of Admiral Beardslee in
command of the Philadelphia as an
unfriendly act on the part of the
United States towards Japan.
Now all tbnsa tbinnc cbovv ,,rattx-
clearly in what direction the trend of
popular opinion is setting. Whatever
the Government of Japan may claim,
there is no doubt that the Island En-
pire desires to be an aggressive power
if it possibly can. 1t was only few
months ago that the japanese Con-
sui in Melbourne, speaking at BAN
quet, said that the Colonies under the
leadership of Japan might dominate
the Pacific ocean, or words to that eff
feet. The speech made great sensa-
ton and called forth lot of indig-
nant protests from the Colonial Press.
Young Australia did not feel inclined
to be tackled on to the skirts of Japan
in the future --istory of the Pacific. 1t
intended, and intends, to work out it's
own greatness as other Anglo-SaXon
communities have before it.
AS to the negotiations which are to
take place relative to the rejected inn
migrants, we need have no fear. Our
case is strong and Japan is in no posi-
ton to use force in any unjust cause;
but the incident has brought out the
mental attitude of Japan and that at
titude should be carefully studied by
the United States. 1t shews a jelousy
of the Great Republic and a desire to
keep the States walled in, while Japan
shall be free to stretch her hands
whittier she pleases across the Pacific
The sentence, Japan must maintain
her rights against the United States
if need be-" is very significant And
so is the argument, There are $4,000
Japanese subjects in Hawaii, and that
fact gives Japan a right to be heard
first in any discussion of the question
of annexation" The sentences quoted
may give the anti-anneXationists food
for thought. If the presence of $4,000
Japanese subjects in Hawaii gives 6
right for discussion, the presence OF
a few thousand more might do away
with discussion" and the claim
might be that it gave Japan the right
to "act" first in any question of an
nexation. japanese influence on thes,
islands is not mere chimera; it is {