The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1895-11-06
JAPANESE EMIGRATION.

Yokohama published recently q
short article which purports to be
the substance of report made by
japanese Consul Shimizu on the
japanese emigration to this coun-
try. Mr.. Shimizu says that public
opinion in Hawaii is divided.
There il, first, the view OF the
| traders, who are deriving great prof 5
| from the sugar and coffee plantations
on which Japanese labor is employed;
secondly, the view OF the politicians
| who are in favor Of American anneXa-
| ton and who regard with distavOr the
| large influx of Asiatics that Is taking
place. The traders maintain that the
prosperity Of the Sandwich Islands is
principally owing to the fact that
planters, having been for many years
supplied with cheap LABOR, have been
enabled to grow sugar and prepare 1t
for export at a cost that leaves a good
margin of profit. But if the Hawai-
ian Government were to place any
obstacles in the way of the planters
utilizing the facilities offered to them
by such countries as China and Japan
the consequence would be general
collapse OF the whole trade from which
the revenue of the country is now de-
rived. Among immigrants, the plant
ers prefer the Japanese to the Chinese
and Portuguese, on the ground that
they are easily managed and that they
do more work in proportion to wages
paid them than labOrers OF any other
nationality. Hence, il the planters
have their way, Japanese immigrants
will always be welcome in Hawaii.
But there is no Disgusting the fact
that the Hawaiian Government are
implacably opposed to the policy Of
the planters, and regard with some
apprehension the presence of multi
tude of Asiatics in the islands. The
objections that these politicians have |
to the employment of Eastern labor |
ers are the stereotyped arguments so
often urged in America and Austria |
liza; arguments which, when closely |
are found to depend upon |
nothing but race prejudice. In these |
days of keen competition, 1t Is little |
likely that politicians influenced by |
such prejudice Will be allowed to
place serious obstacles in the way of
the further development of an indus
try to which Hawaii owes all its I'M
pOrtance and prosperity"
Mr.. Shimizu has told part of the
story but it is clearly evident that
ne has treated the subject from
only one point of view and has ex-
lggerated not a little in many in
stances. He fails to note that
many OF the planters or traders as
ne classes them are among promi-
lent advocates of American annex
ltion. Furthermore it cannot be
aid that the Hawaiian Govern
nent is implacably opposed to the
policy of the planters.
While the Asiatic population
nay be a necessary factor in the
development of many of our indus
ries it is not necessary to overrun
he country with these people. Mr..
himizu evidently misinterprets .
he building up of American sys- 4;
ems, which can only be done by
ne introduction of American labor,
5 the result of racial prejudice, and
4 so doing makes a great mistake. +
he Chinese and japanese have |
leir place in this country and ;
ways will have, and it is the :,
eight of folly to state that an at .
.mpt to introduce American labor :,
} build up the smaller industries >
evidence of i'll feeling toward the I
eople of the Eastern nations. &
18th American annexation in view :,
is manifestly proper that the 6
sople OF this country should put :,
nth every endeavor to create in !
conditions that will be in :,
with those existing in :
lie United States. !.