The morning call., 1893-10-27
VIRTUE VS.. VICE.
Rival Japanese Societies
Contending.
A YOUNG GIRL KIDNAPPED.
Japanese Anti-Vice Society Estab-
fishes q Home for Women and In
stitutes q New Crusade.

The respectable class of Japanese in
this city are to a unit indignant over the
importation OF their unfortunate country
women for immoral purposes. Meetings
have been held and the Chief of Police has
been appealed to, but all that was accom-
plished was TO express indignation and a
strong determination to agitate against
what many Japanese consider national
disgrace.
A japanese social purity society was
recently established Dy Christian young
men from Mikadoland. Its mem bership has
grown rapidly, until it now includes hun
dreds of japanese of different religious
beliefs who work in the common cause
against disgrace to their cOuntry's name.
They carry badges, ana IL Is their especial
object TO create public sentiment against
the trade of bringing Japanese women into
this city and to oppose every scheme at
tenn pied for conducting this illegal traffic.
Presently a home for Japanese women
was organized at the Japanese mission on
Minna street, near Sixth. 1t was placed
ia the care of Rev. Il. Sunamoto, mis-
siOnary among his cOuntTymen in CalifOr-
mia, and after searching for a suitable
place to make a beginning house was
rented at 956 Mission street. Rev. i.
SunamOto and his wife assumed the man
agement. and already about fifty Japanese
women have found hOspitable shelter in
the home. There are eight girls under its
roof now-three estrays and i've lnduStrI-
Gus and respectable girls out of employ
ment.
In the near future a larger building will
be secured near the new japanese church
on Pine street, aud then rescue work
among japanese women will be carried on
with still greater vlgor. Accommodation
fOr f,f n rbS "
provided, and comfortable home offered
all Japanese women on this coast who
care to take advantage Of 1t.
The Pacific Coast Methodist Missionary
Society is assisting the work with monthly
contributions. which will be increased
when the contemplated move to Pine street
is made.
1--WE have begun a work here on this
coast" said Mr. Sunamoto when talking
of his benevolent purposes yesterday, land
this work will shortly be noticed in its ef-
| feet among japanese women VINO have
| been deceived and brought here. In con-
nection with it are japanese ministers and
laymen, and all cooperate in lighting the
men WHO have brought disgrace on our
nations name The society which is de-
teImined 10 stop importation of women
from Japan works in conjunction with u.s.
l am in charge, and Rev. L. Hasagawa. an
other Japanese minister, is engaged In the
work in San Francisco.
There are other Japanese ministers
along the coast, every one Of whom has
! promised his support We are ashamed OF
scandalous stories told bout our country
women here, but only a small number of bad
japanese are responsible. 1t is they who
| do all the harm and cast Odium upon our
women before Americans.
Just as soon as the Japanese Anti
Vice Society was established those men
| organized a rival association which makes
it compulsory on its members and their
women 10 pay So each 10 fight our society.
So if we make a fight in the courts this
rival has money To pay counsel and defend
its members. Ii is an association formed
10 defeat the laws of the United States if
possible, for its members have no regard
for law or public opinion or Dational pride.
We expect bitter opposition from it. but
that will not deter US from going into the
streets and preaching and doing rescue
work. The other night 100 Japanese of
the Anti-Vice Society went in a body to
show these people that we are in earnest.
II talk TO the unfortunate women nearly
every day. and get help from the police 10
go where | wish because Chief Crowley
gave me a letter instructing his men to
assist me if | should call on them. Several
women told me they would be glad to leave
where they are. only they are still indebted
TO their owners. and cant imagine they
have a right to walk away.
Lately one girl. Takata Tatsu. az 2h st.
Mary's street, promised to leave at once,
as soon as she could get her clothes. On
the day she was 10 come to the home l sent
girl for her, and was told Takata could
not be found. Then / sent two men.
They came back with the same story, and
SO / went myself. | searched the house,
and with police officer made thorough
search. But the girl had been removed
whereto 1 cannot imagine. The society of
bad japanese hid her from US, but none of
them will tell the secret Of her hiding
place.
I'VE hope in time to win against the
bad association and stop the bringing of
japanese girls into San Francisco as has
been the custom"
Minn Clau.lnpd Il Snuth DonaaA.a % =.