The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1894-05-16
THE JAPANESE QUESTION.

nese and Hawaiian Governments
are daily becoming more interest
ing and important.
There remains not shadow OF
doubt the Japanese have deter
mined, if possible, to obtain the
franchise in Hawaii upon the same
terms granted Americans and
Europeans. This demand has
been made since 1887 when they
were excluded therefrom by con-
stitutional amendments. 1t is true
the Japanese were not at first in
sistent on the point, but they have
been growing more and more per-
emptory until they have now made
a positive demand. 1t is under
stood they have been temporarily
pacihed with the official assurance
that the projected Constitutional
Convention would fully consider
and finally determine the question
Of franchise.
The basis of the Japanese claim
seems to be that as Americans and
Europeans are granted the fran
chise upon taking an oath to sup
port the present Government and
the possession of certain property
aud educational qualifications,
without foreswearing allegiance to
their home country, the Japanese
laborers here should be likewise
privileged. Japan, it is claimed,
has a treaty with Hawaii contain
ing the usual clause granting to
her all privileges granted to the
most favored nations, Under this
it is argued that Japanese subjects
are Disseminated against under the
constitutional amendment which
prohibits Asiatics from voting.
In reply the Hawaiian Govern
ment holds that the treaty relied
upon refers solely to commercial
matters; that the franchise is
purely an internal domestic matter
with which foreign Governments
have no concern; that Japan does
not allow Hawaiian citizens to vote
or even to become naturalized in
Japan; that Hawaii allows japanese
to reside and do business in any
part of the Islands, while Japan
only allows Hawaiians a like priv
ilege under restrictions in certain
ports Of Japan.
There is an existing treaty be-
tween the two countries regulating
the emigration of laborers from
Japan to Hawaii. Under this
treaty'several thousands of Japanese
laborers have landed here, until
majority of those working on our
plantations are of that nationality.
The treaty provides that the
japanese Government shall not
interfere with such immigration.
Notwithstanding this, that Govern
ment has arbitrarily stopped labor
emigration. AS the laborers are
constantly returning to Japan a
labor deficiency has been created,
which the Hawaiian Government
has proposed to meet by introduce
ing limited number of Chinese, to
be restricted to agricultural labor.
Japan does not relish this, and
she has seemingly believed she had
the Hawaiian Government in hole
on the labor question. Accord
ingly Mr.. Full, Japanese Consul
General, has filed an official
protest against allowing any
more Chinese laborers to enter
the country, alleging that if
a large number Of Chinese and |
japanese are on the same planta-
ton trouble is liable to arise be-
tween them, which may cause
difficulty between their respective
Governments. At the same time
this diplomatic pressure is being
brought to bear Japan is using her
best endeavors to remove the basis
of the Hawaiian Governments ar
gument.
The last mail brought telegraphic
orders to the japanese representa-
tive here to Immediately inform the
Hawaiian Government that the
prohibition against Hawailans re-
siding in any part Of Japan had
been withdrawn. In consequence
thereof the extra-territorial right
of consular jurisdiction, heretofore
enjoyed by Hawaii over its subjects
in Japan, is cancelled.
This in itself is a most extraor-
binary step for Japan to take. She
has heretofore steadily refused to
allow foreigners to reside outside of
a few specified seaports. This
privilege has now voluntarily, and
without solicitation been granted