The Hawaiian gazette., 1897-06-18
AN OFFICER TALKS
San Diego Man Receives Letter
From Honolulu.
AFFAIRS FREELY DISCUSSED
Government Comes in for
Criticism.
Trusts Figures on a Sugar Bid
Ignored By the Gov
eminent.

SAN DIEGO, Cal, June 5.-An Off
Ger of the United States cruiser Phila-
delphia, writing to friend here, gives
a very clear idea of the situation at Ho-,
nolulu with reference to the Japanese
immigration dispute. AS naval officers
are prohibited from the public discus
sion of political or diplomatic affairs,
the name of the officer is necessarily
withheld. He writes under date of May
Goth, as follows:
"The situation here is as yet quite
peaceable, but there is every prospect
OF considerable activity, in diplomatic
circles at least. There is not a shadow
of doubt that the Government of this
country committed grave error when
it refused to allow the immigrants to
land, as,in its treaty with Japan it in
serted clause by which Hawaii in
Vited immigration, especially that of
contract labor. This clause reads that
1aborers under a three-years' con-
tract" could land, and at the expiration
of the term either return to their ma
tive land or remain here. This Govern
ment claims that it may make any
change in its immigration laws it may
see fit, but l do not think the law of
nations permits it to make such
changes as would abrogate a treaty
with another nation.
Another clause states that immi-
grants not under contract must be the
bona-fide possessors of $50 in gold.
This was overcome by the immigra-
ton companies through the Yokoha-
ma Specie Bank, which has a branch
here, by supplying each immigrant
with certified check for that amount,
and have thus succeeded in colonizing
the country with an undesirable popu-
lation. The Government here has Just
awakened to a realization of the jap
aiming of the Islands, and is using
every means to evade it.
There is no doubt that Japan is
right in assuming the stand it has, and
as it is a question between the two
nations, fail to see how the United
States can interfere. The Hawaiian
Government is guilty of breaking a
treaty with another nation, and the
question is one of such a nature and
of such Importance that it cannot prac-
ticably be settled by arbitration, but
must be settled by either the payment
of damages or the withdrawal of jap
ans demands.
"The latter alternative is not very
% H.
versed in diplomacy, and know their
demands are just.
This may sound absurd coming
from an American, but I cannot fail
to see the errors being daily committed
by this Government. For instance, the
answer to the Japanese Minister'S de-
mands appeared in the evening papers
here two hours before the Minister re-
ceived them himself Did you ever
hear of such a breach of diplomatic
tact? And in this way errors are COM
mitted daily. The solution of the ques-
ton is afar Off
IN regard to the annexation of the
Islands, l must say 1 have changed my
opinion, and do not think the United
States would be benefited by it. There
is only one advantage to be gained,
and that is, we would have a mid
ocean naval station. This is Offset by
the taking on our shoulders of the mil
lions of debt of the Islands, their leper
settlement and their motley popula-
ton. OF course, they are governed
quite well at present, but how long will
it last? There are some $1,000 japanese
on the Islands, and should they nomi-
nate one of their own nation, say for
the Presidency, what would be the
consequences? They are not barred
from citizenship, the only requirement
being that they read and write the
English language This is an easy
task to accomplish when there is an
object such as the above in view.
Every nation in the world realizes
our claims on the Islands, indefinite
as they are, but this will not prevent
other nations from demanding their
rights. There is no danger of Japan or
any other country molesting the ISL
ands, and Americans can rest assured
that, at the proper time, the annexa-
ton of Hawaii will be a mere matter
of form, and can be done when the
emergency necessitates it.
''The Islands would be useless to us
unless strongly fortified, and perma-
nent naval station established. This
would require the appropriation of a
considerable sum of money, which
could be used to more advantage in
fortifying our seaport cities, or in a
dozen other ways. We have Pearl
Harbor here, for which he have paid
very dearly, and no nation will dispute
our claims. l believe it will be always
necessary to have at least one of our
vessels here, and, if possible, two, in
order to protect both our own coun-
try's interests and those of the Ameri-
can residents here.
eff by any possibility there should
arise a crisis demanding action on the
part of the United States, we feel sure
such action will be taken by Admiral
Beardslee in such emphatic manner |
that the japanese will receive a set
back in their pride over their defeat of