The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1870-01-15
THE PACIFIC
Commercial Advertiser.
SATURDAY,, JANUARY Is.
Called to an Account.

Rumors are flying about our town in d~iejointed
bits, which, when put together, make quite a
piece of news. AS we do not draw our pay from
the public purse, nor have the ear OF those who
do, we may not be sufficiently posted on this mat
ter to give a full account. However, we have
gathered sufficient to lead us to believe, beyond a
doubt, that the Board of immigration has some
how become a party to a kidnapping 1--WE wish
we could use a milder term that would convey the
same idea) operation. 1t will be remembered
that II. H.. NJ. Consul General in Japan wrote'
concerning the japanese I" contract laborers,
that the vessel bearing them had not completed
her complement for reasons which he set forth,
and which we, not having his letter at hand,
cannot quote. The idea which we got however
was, that owing to the civil war then raging in
Japan he had found it difficult to secure all the
parties he had contracted with, and in order to
insure the safe delivery of those then on board
the vessel, he had been compelled to send the
bark to sea somewhat hurriedly.
1t seems now that it was SO hastily done that
the japanese Government thought it looked like
kidnapping. Again, too, it seems that some of
the japanese who reached mere claim that they
were grossly deceived. Now, Mr.. Minister of
Foreign Relations, don't tell the japanese Ambas-
sailors that they are 60 foul slanderers,' - or use
any expletives of which you have SO large n stock
when you take your pen in hand, for in the first
place it wouldn't sound well, and in the next
place Japan with its embyro navy might make it
unpleasantly warm for us during the summer.
You must learn to respect those whom you fear.
We advise that you treat them courteously and
,ool,o ti,a IoSf Of n bod noftar Won MIGHT make
the Consul General the scape-goat by sending him
an official reproof and warn him to be more care
full in future, and by the same conveyance a pri-
vate note in which you might gloss the matter
over in a pleasant way but don't be so rash as
to dismiss him, for he might in selfdefence tell
some unpleasant truths.
We understand that some forty of the japanese
will be withdrawn from their employment, and
sent back to Japan at the expense of Hawaiian
tax payers that the Marshal is now absent carry
ing out the purposes Of the Government.
1t is hardly fair that the planters should suffer,
as they must, in purse directly, for the amount Of
value Of the unexpired contracts, and indirectly
by the loss of labor in the care and production of
the coming crop. OF course the Government
must satisfy the planters, and then equally as a
matter of course the people, innocent parties
again, must make it up to the Ministers. it may
be expensive, but we must expect to pay for such
luxuries.
His Majesty's Government should be thankful
for having escaped SO easily. From what we
learn, Hawaiians are again under obligations to
tie United States for kindly Offices rendered by
the United States Minister Resident, His Elk. Ii.
A. PIERCE, who has personally and at some incon-
yenience used an influence which has been pro-
ductive of the happiest results.
His Maiesty's Government tried 10 drive the
United States ship of war LackaUanna out of
Hawaiian waters, and in return the representative
of the United States helps His Majesty's Govern
ment out of a disagreeable position. Such a
policy must eventually win respect from the most
obdurate hearted.