The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1893-08-15
FERGUSON'S LIBEL SUIT.
GENIAL PAUL" ON THE WIT
NESS STAND.
Some Interesting Evidence About Qua
temals, Japanese Immigrants and
the Slave Trade.

tiSer, on charge OF criminal libel, was
commenced in the District Court this
afternoon at 1890 before Judge Robert
son, Charles Creighton appearing for.
the prosecution and A. S. Hartwell
for the defense
The proceedings opened with the
reading of the charge by Mr. Creigh-
ton. Mr.. Hartwell then asked the
prosecuting attorney which he intended
to charge, making or publishing libel.
Mr.. Creighton again read the charge to
show that publishing alone was charged.
Paul Neumann was the first witness
called, He testified: | am a sub.
scriber to the advertiser; it is a paper
of general circulation in Honolulu.
This is my copy, the one delivered to
me at my office. Saw this paper
on the day of its issue, Satur-
day, August 18th. | know Captain
Ferguson. l am familiar with the
japanese immigration scheme to Qua
temaa Have seen the article in the
paper and read it. There is but one
Captain Ferguson connected with the
scheme of exporting Japanese. That
is him sitting there. Have seen the
contracts that are being signed by the
Japs That is a blank form of the
kind used. All contracts that have
been executed have been according to
this form, signed by Ferguson as agent
cf the Guatemalan Government and by
the Japs. (B ank contract offered in
evidence.) Am aware of the facts
about the payment in gold. This ap.
pears In the contracts. They were to
be paid $40 in gold or the equivalent of
$40 in gold. Have read the clause
about traffic in human flesh. l think
that it means clearly enough that
Captain Ferguson is driving a slave
trade.
Cross examinstion-I have to draft
the contracts. First made acquaintance
of Captain Ferguson nine or ten years
ago. had no intention Of making a
difference between the third and the
eleventh clause. My impression is
that put U. S, in the third clause.
Have not examined the currency
statutes of Guatemala. Have merely
heard l cannot say that in Guatemala
paper money is not legal tender or the
equal of gold. Silver is not the equal
of gold there, but it may be paid. l
know that we made specific contracts
in California payable in gold and these
were sustained in the Courts. Know
that the United States Supreme Court
decided that gold debts might be paid
in paper. Mr. Goethe in San Fran
cisco told me about the Guatemaan
statutes. Don't know of my own knowl
edge. My belief is that the Pacific
Coast advertiser is owned by a joint
stock company and that it was so be-
fore coming into its present hands.
H. M. Whitney, sworn-Am con
nected with the advertiser as manager
and publisher and Arthur tombstone is
editor The local part of the paper is
under the supervision Of Arthur John
stone as editor,in-chief, The paper is
owned by joint stock company, or
shareholders. Is incorporated as the
Hawaiian Gasette Company, and does
a general publication business.
l.. ]. Levey, sworn-Know the Id
veytisey. Have been subscriber to
it for ten years. Get the paper delivered
at my residence every day.
Have seen Saturdays paper know
Captain Ferguson by sight, but am not
acquainted with him. Don't know
any other W. H. Ferguson.
Walter Fl. Ferguson - Am a tenn
porary resident at Honolulu, arrived on
June 18th. My occupation is that of
General Agent of the Guatemalan Gov
eminent. Left Guatemala last Febru-
airy. Have seen the article in the Id
vertiser, entitled "He has been there"
saw it at Mr.. Neumann's Office. This
is contract drawn up to be filled with
the names of myself, as Government
agent Of immigration of Guatemala,
and Of the Japanese who desire to i'm
migrate. l sign as Government agent
of immigration for Guatemala. Have
made no other contracts but these.
Paragraph 3 means gold coin or its
equivalent, SIT a month in Guatemalan
currency. Both silver and paper in
that country are guaranteed by Gov
eminent N ,tional banks. | know this
Of my own knowledge, as have made
contracts and collected them in the
United States.
was only connected with the
steamer Monserrat as Government
agent of Guatemala to recruit labor in
the South Seas. supervised the re-
cruiting and the transportation, Was
not the recruiting officer. Arrived in
Guatemala on September IA, 1892, |
think. Have been there since Visited
all of the South Sea Islanders on the
plantations. Saw them when | was
alone The statement about danger is
not true, as was with them in De-
cember and January, They are dis
tributed among five plantations. Cap
tain Davies of H, M. S, Royalist was
in company with the Monserrat, He
was also deputy commissioner Of the