The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-03-27
THE HAWAIIAN ExILEs.

| Not many months ago some Russian convicts,
| guilty OF offenses against persons or property,
| escaped from Saghalien Island and landed in
| Sen Francisco. They were hailed refugees
| from the tyranny of CARBON and there was an
| effusion OF public feeling and friendship in
| their direction.
Now nearly every ship from Hawaii brings
| exiles banished from that country. They reach
US weakened by confinement and suffering in
| prison preceding their deportation and already
one has succombed to harsh treatment and his
companions in distress have held over his dust
the last rites. In scarcely any case was there
an accusation based upon evidence against
these banished men. Many of them are
American citizens, some of them gradu-
ates of the schools and colleges of Cali
fornia. They were domiciled in Hawaii
for business purposes and by their enterprise
had contributed 70 the material prosperity of
the country. Its Government, taking as q
pretext petty native outbreak, arb1tra-
rily tore them from their homes and estates
and without confronting them with any
accuser or giving them the benefit OF a Judicial
trial, imprisoned them and exiled them with
out explanation. Some were arrested at dis
lance from Honolulu who had not even heard
of the inconsequential outbreak OF the natives.
Their houses and papers were rudely searched
and their property and effects taken from
them.
Is it possible that we are insensible to such
outrages upon our countrymen when we re-
spond with quick feeling to wrongs not as red
inflicted upon aliens and strangers?
We have become notorious in the United
States for rebuking the inactivity of Russian
presence in the Khanates, of British rule in In
dla, OF French power in Madagascar and
Algiers, of Dutch domination in Java. We have
made the world think that justice is the gen.
Jus of American character, and that regard for
the sacred rights of person and property is car
ried by our countrymen to every zone to which
they penetrate. The men now in power in Ha-
wall have boosted of their American principles,
OF their reverence for our flag, under which
they were born, and devotion to the free insti-
buttons which that standard represents. But
while they make these prosecutions they do
deeds that Russia, Great Britain, France and
the Dutch would feel as a stain upon their ma
uona1 character and their flag.
Is it not necessary that we vindicate our
principles by rebuking the crimes against
humanity committed in their name by the per-
verted tyrants of Hawaii?
These exiles turn their faces to their native
land and look for an expression of sympathy
and tokens OF support. Shall they look to their
countrymen in vain?
They are innocent of acts covert or overt
against the vile oligarchy which rules Hawaii.
Seizure and search of their effects and testi-
mony extorted by torture, which would have
disgraced the middle ages, failed to find the
shadow of proof that they were guilty OF any
crime except being Americans, who were sup
posed to be loyal to the principles of freedom
and lair play, which is the jewel worn by our
countrymen, and for this they were banished
by Government which feels that its tyranny
has won for it the hostility of all Just men and
the contempt of the world JOHN P. IRISH.