THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 1897.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10416, 14 April 1897, Page 4

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 1897.

There is considerable significance at taching to the trouble that has arisen over the immigration of Japanese into the Hawaiian Islands, and the stoppage that has been put to that immigration by the Hawaiian Government. At the present time the resident Japanese constitute,a very large proportion of the population of the group, and the Republican Government set up in the island since the deposition of the Queen, has evinced considerable anxiety regarding the. increase of that particular nationality in the country. Civic rights [ have not. been conceded to the Japanese settlers, but with the policy of equal rights to all, so prominently set before the Administrators of the Government by the example of the Great Republic, with which they desire so close relations

the possibility of having to discontinue, this denial of rights looms up largely in the future. In these circumstances the growing preponderance of Japanese residents seems a menace to the stability of the established institutions of the group, and as a remedy, the suppression o£ further immigration from Japan has been summarily adopted.

We can hardly question the reasonableness, if not the wisdom, of the course takeh in the circumstances, but that does not lesson the danger which it seenls to involve ; for thoreare other factors in the Hawaiian problem, on which probably the Government had not been reckoning. The popular agitation which has taken place in Japan, urging the Government to be firm With Hawaii and the United States in regard to the exclusion of Japanese immigrants may be taken as a reflex of the mind of the Government of that etnpireandisin accordance with tliespiritof equal nationhood, that has sprung into vigorous development with the recent ascendancy acquired by that empire in eastern seas. It will be noticed that the United States Government is associated in the popular mind of Japan with this act of exclusion, both because the American republic has exhibited the same spirit of exclusiveness towards Asiatics, and because it is recognised as having close political, as well as social and commercial relations with the Hawaiian group. Indeed the ascendancy of American influence in Hawaii has been generally regarded as giving it a sort of pre-emptive right to the group in the event of the island's independence being involved or endangered, and the intention even of annexation has been favoured on several occasions by high governing authority at Washington as well as by the popular voice throughout the States. It is recognised, therefore, in Japan that any action, diplomatic or otherwise, taken in respect of Hawaii must be regarded as taken also in respect of the United States.

We are probably not warranted in expecting that this action would go the length of an attempt to annex the group on the part of Japan. It is true that the spirit of foreign expansion has been manifested by the empire as one of the results of its recent development of strength as an Eastern Power; and in the absence of an actual protectorate on the part of any Great Power, this little group of islands in mid-ocean seems to offer itself as a temptation, the acceptance of which could scarcely be treated by any of the Powers as an unfriendly act. Possibly, owing to the close relations and interests existing in the past, the United States might claim a right to interpose. But under all the circutnstances, and more particularly with the possibility of misunderstanding or quarrel with America, annexation by Japan can hardly be contemplated as probable. But that a dibplay of force may be applied to Hawaii in respect of the slight put upon the subjects of the Emperor of Japan we have considerable reason to expect. The new Empire has shown a strong inclination to watch over the interests of its citizens in foreign lands, and in this respect stands in marked contrast to the invertebrate attitude of China. Notwithstanding the supposed or alleged strength and the assumed dignity of the latter nation, it has always rested content with the position of an inferior power, and submitted to differential treatment as between its own subjects and those of European race. Japan distinctly declines to accept such a position, and its attitude at this hour is that of a Power claiming to stand on a precisely level plane with all the great civilised nations of the world. It is this that gives significance and importance to the question of Hawaii. It is the most distinct case in which differential treatment liae been ofiered to the Japanese nationality. There is no policy of exclusion professed in relation to European or American immigrants, and an Aot so ostentatious as singling out Japan and refusing a landing to a large body of Japanese, sending them back in a body to their own country, has so much the quality of an insult that it can hardly be overlooked. The smallness of the Power with which Japan has to do in the case makes the course the more inviting, for probably at no great expenditure of naval display, an object lesson of a practical kind can be taught from which all other nations may take warning. A precedent set in dealing with Hawaii could be more readily held up ou subsequent occasions, as tho duty of Japan to follow and of other nations to respect. Such would be the purpose served by carrying out the programme now clamoured for by the people of Japan; and we may rest perfectly assured that the time is coming v.hen differential treatment shown to the Japanese by any Power or country on the Pacific will not be tolerated.