Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-09-28
JAPAN sPURNED CONTROL
OF HAWAIIAN ISLANDS
Emperor Declined offer in Form Of
Marriage Proposal.

Emperor Declined offer in Form Of
Marriage Proposal.
In the journal Asahi, of Toxic. there
was recently published an article pur-
porting to show how Japan might have
obtained control OF the Hawaiian Islands
The article was written by the Japanese
historian Shlga. An English tranela-
tion, made by the japan Herald fol-
! lows:
| On March TO- 1881, the late Emperor,
who was then staying at the Akasaka
! palace, received an application for a
| secret audience. It was ascertained
that the request was from the Emperor
or Hawaii, who had already been re-
ceived In audience on the 5th of the
same month and to whose visit the
Emperor had responded at the ShIba
detached palace. which was placed at
tne disposal OF the visitor. His majesty
wondered why the Hawaiian sovereign
had requested secret audience. and
asked whether he was accompanied by
state minister or chamberlain. who
was in his suite
lnasmuch as the Hawaiian Emperor re-
phed that he was accompanied by no.
Dody' his majesty was perplexed, but as
tho sovereign of treaty country, his ma
Jcsty received him In person in the i'm
perial chamber. After both sovereigns
had exchanged compliments and had
shaken hands--dt is stated that the Jap
anese Fmnt ror had never shaken hands
with any foreign sovereign before the
flfth OF that month when he for the first
time shook hands with the Hawaiian En-
peror)--the imperial visitor expressed his
gratitude for the warm treatment extend
ed to him by the court and people, and
expressed his admiration for shrines, jap
anesc theatrical performances and other
entertainments.
The speech was interpreted by master
of ceremonies to the great pleasure of
the Emperor. The Hawaiian sovereign.
continuing, said that the natives of Ha-
wall are decreasing in number, while the
number OF foreigners was fast increasing
and that II this state of affairs should
last longer he could easily conjecture the
fate OF his country. He, therefore asked
that the Emperor of japan should help
him and make efforts to save his coun-
try from ruin. He had no son. but only
a niece. whom he wished to send to Eng
land to be educated and cause her to
eventually succeed to the throne. Al
though IL might be an indiscreet proposal.
he trusted that the Japanese Emperor
might allow him to wed his niece 10
prince of the Imperial DlOOu Oh japan
The Emperor Meiji listened to his desire
and. after a few moments, stated that he
would give him n reply after deliberate
consideration. The Hawaiian sovereign
said that he had not discussed the matter
even with his state minister or chamber
lain and did not want II known to any
one except Marquis 1nouye, the Minister
for Foreign Affairs In November OF that
wear, the master OF ceremonies who acted
as interpreter was sent to Hawaii as an
envoy with an imperial letter to the
Hawaiian sovereign. Mr.. Shiga has VS.
tied Hawaii three times, but could learn
nothing relating to the matter from the
old documents kept in the Hawaiian GOV
ernment. However, according to Mr..
Armstrong, the minister, who died few
years ago. the Japanese Emperor declined
the proposal.
During a recent visit. however, Mr.. |
Shiga learned the truth. and published
the dates, because the sentiment enter |
tained by the Hawaiians at that time
has an important bearing upon the pres
cnt development OF Japan, namely, the |
abolition OF extra -territoriality in Japan |
was first proposed by the Hawaiian Gov |
ernment accompanied by other powers, |
while as a result OF the efforts of the |
King OF Hawaii. the number OF Japanese |
living in that island now reaches 10000, |
who remit to Japan 100000 yen per |
annum.