The record-union., 1897-06-24
Japan's Protest Regarded as a Very
Serious Menace.
Improbable That the Committee as a
Whole Will be Able to Pass Upon
the Subject at the Present Session
of Congress, Though Eight of the
Eleven Members Are Believed to
Favor Ratification.

WASHINGTON, June 23.-The Ha-
Waiian annexation treaty formed the
principal topic of consideration by the
Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
| at its brief session to-day. The treaty
and accompanying papers We're read
and referred to a subcommittee con-
sisting of Foraker, Davis and Morgan,
| With instructions to investigate the en-
tire question and report to the full COM
mittee. The papers read included the
protest made by Japan against the an
nexation- The document did not call
out much comment, but all that was
said was of a character to Indicate
that the members of the committee did
not regard 1t as likely to lead to Seri-
Gus complications, though requiring the
most respectful consideration. The sub
committee will consider all the compli-
cations likely to grow out of annexa-
| ton, including those referring to the
trade relations of the island This will
involve a study of all of Hawaii's treat
les With other countries. The inquiry
Will require considerable time, and no
| effort Will be made by the full COM
mlttee to take the subject up until the
subcommittee shall be able to report
on all the details. The realization of
this fact has led the members of the
committee to conclude that it is i'm
probable that the committee as a whole
WILL De able TO pass upon the sub
Ject during the present session The
complexion of the committee is believed
to be eight for ratification and three
| against it. There is a possibility that
| the number of those in favor of it may
be increased to nine
The protest from Japan in connection
with the Hawaiian treaty, which was
| received by the Senate Committee on
Foreign Affairs to-day, is considered in
| a more serious light than was at first
made apparent. The committee took
exceptional precautions to prevent the
| publication of it's proceedings. The pro-
test was accepted as almost an uIti-
| matum on Japan's part to the effect
that the treaty must not be perfected.
1t is not protest against the form or
| document, as had been supposed in
some quarters, but against the docu-
ment itself, or rather against the trans
action, as being opposed to Japans
pesd interest. The specific reason al
leged for the protest is that the con-
! sumat1on of the agreement between Ha-
wall and the United States would dis
turb the existing trade relations of the
North Pacific and nullify treaty rights.
WASHINGTON, June Ex-senator
Morgan to-day introduced a. bill for
the annexation Of the Hawaiian Islands.
| The bill provides that the islands shall
become a Territory of the United States
In accordance with the terms of the re-
Gently negotiated treaty. The date set
for the extension of the laws of this
country over the islands is the 4th of
March, 1898, but it is specifically pro-
Vlded that they may be put in force at
an earlier day, if Congress directs. 1t
is also directed that the five Commits
sioners provided for by the treaty to
make recommendations to Congress in
matters pertaining to Hawaii shall be
confirmed by the Senate. The bill ap-
propriates $1,000 900 for the execution
of its provisions. Out of this sum the
interest on the Hawaiian debt is to be
paid, but provisions for the payment of
the principal of this debt is deferred
THE treaty" said Senator Morgan,
"can be ratified in this form by ma
jority vote in each of the two houses
thus avoiding the necessity for securing
two-thirds of the Senate, as would be
required if the matter should be passed
upon by that body alone"
WASHINGTON, June 23.-The State
Department has practically completed
its reply to the Japanese protest against
the Hawaiian annexation treaty, but
has not yet delivered it. The reply is
understood to be dignified in tone, a
strong legal defense of our position,
which, without in any sense abating our
claims, does not disdain to support them
by much citation of precedent and in
ternational law.