The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1897-06-29
Is lNDEFENSIBLE.
So Say Japanese Newspapers Of
HaWaii'S Action.
THEY SUGGEST ARBITRATION
Complaint Made Because
of Duty on Sake.
Government Taken to Task for
Discriminating in Favor of
American WinesJ
THEY SUGGEST ARBITRATION

The newspapers in Japan are still
very much disturbed over the Hawai-
ian situation, and are disposed TO criti-
else this Government severely for the
action in rejecting the immigrants, and
incidentally for an alleged discrimina-
ton against certain Japanese importa-
lions. The Gazette sums up its criti-
cism as follows We learn by tele-
gram. that according TO a dispatch from
Honolulu TO New York, the Hawaiian
Government has notified the japanese
Minister Resident there, that it will
not recede from the position ii has TAX
en- up with regard to the refusal OF adj
mission 10 some intending japanese
immigrants who were recently rejected
at Honolulu. If the statement of facts
which has been made public here, be
correct, it appears to US, as well as TO
others. that the action taken by the
Hawaiian authorities. supposed to be
more or less sanctioned by the decision
of the judges sitting in the Supreme
The Japanese government are clearly
within the compass of their duty in
taking official Cognizance of what has
happened with regard TO the two batch
es of laborers sent from this country,
and in demanding satisfaction for the
wrong done by requiring pecuniary
indemnity for the persons aggrieved,
by reason of the expenses they have
been put TO. and loss of time resulting
from the high handed and unwarrant-
able action of the Hawaiian Govern
ment in refusing permission for their
landing.
Though the government here thought
well TO show its teeth by sending a
warship TO initiate proceedings, which
could only properly be based on due
enquiry, and settled by negotiation, it
does not appear, if it were intended that
this display of force was to intimidate
the Government Of Hawaii, that it has
had any effect whatever, since it has
resolved to abide by its conduct, and
proposes TO leave the questions involved
in this affair of the wOuld-be immi-
grants being prevented from landing,
country. to the decision of the sover-
eign OF the northern states of Europe,
because free from any interest in the
subject matter Of dispute.
The course offered for Japan's &C
ceptance is the only one that was open
TO the erring Government TO take, since
it resolved not TO give way to Japa-
nese representations. but TO take its
stand. As 10 entering into any hostili-
ties with such a warlike power as
Japan. which has some 10000 able
bodied men capable of playing a mill
tary part already in the Hawaiian ISL
ands, such an idea was not TO be
thought of. Moreover, what adds firm
ness TO the refusal on the part of the
Hawaiian Government to admit the
wrongfulness OF its acts, is the con-
seriousness that America would be sure
to extend the aegis and its territorial
belongings, in the event of Japan, OF
indeed OF any foreign power attempt
in to take possession of them by force
or even otherwise. To such circum-
stance Japan will have TO bow. 1t is
therefore. not open TO il to pursue any
other plan than that offered, since the
Hawaiian Government is obstinate
and arbitration should secure TO Japan
ali the justice that it can prove itself
10 be entitled 10, for Hawaii will be
bound TO accept the decision of the
tribunal to whose decision it has pro-
posed TO refer existing differences.
In addition to the foregoing grie-
vance. there is another one which has
lately come TO the front, and that is the
rate Of duty which is now levied or
japanese sake, which has been sud
denly raised from Is cents TO 81 pei
gallon. What intensifies the legiti-
macy of this complaint, is that at the
very time the additional impost wa:
specially levied on Japan's popular
beverage, il was alleged that this wa:
done in order TO put Hawaii in posi-.
ton TO take OFF the customs duty alto
gether on American wines. Naturally
the japanese object TO being discrim
mated against after this fashion, anC
protest accordingly. In a memorial or
this subject which the sake brewer:
have addressed to the Japanese Min
lister for Foreign Affairs, it is pointed
OUT Indl u4 ItiiHquJsnl1S OHe uutS an
raising another. there yet will be NJ
substantial gain to the Hawaiian ex
chequer, and that the many thousand
of japanese immigrants, whose labo
has earned so much prosperity for Ha
vail, viii be deprived by the increases
rate charged on their favorite nationa
liquor, Of one of their most importan
sources Of comfort, by being able nj
longer to refresh themselves with SAX
after their daily toll. The representa-
tions made by the brewers of the liz
-uor are reasonable, and having regaru
10 them and the laborers, whose allow
ance OF liquor will be stinted by tn