The Hawaiian gazette., 1895-10-22
WHENCE THEIR INSPIRATION ?

"iSeuuS> VI JAPANESE reSluentS, II
, which the labored attempt of tn
speakers to arouse among thei
hearers a distrust of the Govern
ment has been quite marked. tina
make these meetings worthy o
study from numerous points o
view. We remark their laboreC
attempts because the principa
grievance was the effort TO hole
the Government responsible for tn,
failure of the China to bring a mai
from Japan. None know better
than the leaders among thes,
japanese clubs that the Hawaiian
Minister at Japan had no sort o.
control over the mail or over the
movements of the steamships of the
great trans-Pacifc lines. 1t was
announced in advance from San
Francisco that the Pacific Mail
Company intended to take special
precaution to avoid quarantine
OF the China. 1t was not expected
here, however, that the precautions
would go to the extent of declining
TO bring the mail to Honolulu.
Having made inquiry we can say
positively that neither the Hawai-
ian Government nor any of its
agents were in any way responsible
for the omission to bring this mail.
This statements superhuous doubt
less to all save the presumably in
dignant japanese friends. But at
the same time We give the Japanese
residents too much credit to believe
that this little matter of mails is
the foundation, the alpha and
omega of all their woes.
The significant feature of the
whole business is that, having col
lected the audiences on the above
pretext, general denunciation of
the Hawaiian Government became
the principal feature of the even
ing. Charges were freely made OF
discrimination against the Japan
csc, and that the Hawaiian Gov
eminent is constantly violating its
treaty obligations with Japan by
allowing Chinese immigration to
the islands. The latter charge de-
serves moments investigation.
The labor convention between
Japan and Hawaii contains not
one word concerning Chinese. The
was made in 1886: its
term was for five years and it is
now subject to termination by
either party on six months notice. |
While the convention was under
consideration, a'period of twelve to
eighteen months, Mr.. Gibson as
sured the japanese Government |
that if the convention were signed. !
Chinese immigration should be
limited, not stopped. The limit
was to keep the Chinese, as near as
might be, at the number then in
he country, and the estimate was
given that $50 each quarter would
accomplish this. The ink was
hardly dry on Mr.. Gibson's paper
when a steamer load OF Chinese
arrived at this port. The japanese
called attention to
he fact that the number per quar-
er had been exceeded. To this it
was replied that the aggregate
for the year was not ex-
,eeded and it could make no differ
nee to the japanese Government
hat the quota for several quarters
vas brought at one time.
The explanation was apparently
satisfactory and there the matter
ested, until it was recently dug up
" Mr.. Fujii- 1t will be time
nough for to talk about bad .
aith when the Chinese population
ERE Is brought back TO what it was |
n 1884. There Is leeway of some
900 yet before the japanese have
be least shadow OF a reason to
ONT to treaties and attempt to '
old up the Hawaiian Government. !
But mark you, why is this labor
uestion so interesting to the Jap
nese merchants and shOpkeepers Of t
Ionolulu2 Why should they IN !.
ertake to dictate to planters what {
.bor should be employed And
ny should they claim that bring
1g in Portuguese is violation Of