The Department refuses to allow the claim that the treaty
between Japan and Hawaii was a perpetual treaty. The refusal was based
on the grounds that we gave you last week.
The Japanese protest also declares that there are twenty-five thousand
of her people resident in the Sandwich Islands who have earned the right
to become citizens, and our Government is asked what it proposes to do
about these people in case the treaty is ratified.
In replying to this point the State Department refused to give any
definite answer, saying that it was a matter to be settled by Congress
or the courts.
This reply was sent to the Japanese minister, who immediately cabled it
to his Government.
The next step in this matter must be taken by Japan, and there is a good
deal of anxiety as to what it will be.
The arrival of the steamer from Honolulu was eagerly watched for, as it
was thought that the news from Hawaii might give some idea of the temper
of the Japanese.
Every one was therefore very delighted to learn that the Japanese had
taken no aggressive steps.
The steamer brought news of a slight alarm in Honolulu, but it had
amounted to nothing.
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