San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-09-29
JAPAN C()OLS DOWN.
Jap Cruiser NaniWS Sails
For Home.
THE CONTENTION OVER IMMI-
GRAFTON DAMAGES
CONTINUES,
japan Would Accept 100000 And
Cry Quits The Dole Government
Don't Admit Any Monetary
Liability For Rejecting
Immigrants

New York, Sept. pa special to the
Herald from Washington says:
Announcement of the department of
the Japanese cruiser Naniwa for Yoko-
hama, together with the statement
that the immigration question between
Hawaii and Japan is likely to be
shortly settled without arbitration,
has thrown a peaceful aspect around
American questions in the Pacific.
This cheering news has been COM
municated to the State department by
Minister Sewall, stationed at Honolu-
lu, whose mail reports have just reach
ed the department. The more impor-
tant statement made by Mr.. Sewall is
that the Hawaiian-Japanese authori-
ties have estimated that 100000 in gold
will settle the claim of the latter
against the Dole authorities as a re-
suit Of the rejection of 1900 immigrants
who came to fhe island last spring.
Heretofore Japan has sheltered herself
behind the statement that Hawaii
must admit first the principle of
monetary liability" and when this adj
mission has been made she would be
willing to discuss the amount that
should be paid to salve the wounds
they had suffered.
! rfrse fact that the Mikado is now
willing to discuss the amount
that she claims is due her
instead of principle, means in
the opinion of the State department
officials, that if necessary the Dole au-
thorities can rid themselves of trou-
blesome question before Congress con-
venes, so that Hawaii may present
herself for admission to the union free
from foreign questions which might
otherwise be a stumbling block in her
way to coalition with the United
States.
OF course 1t is optional with Hawaii
to pay this amount and settle the ques-
ton. The Dole authorities never ad-
mitted that they were liable to mon
etary indemnity as a result of the ex-
clusion of the japanese emigrants,
and they may feel that if they pay
500, 900 in gold to Japan, such action
may make them liable to further pay
ments should other immigrants be re-
jected in the future. This would be
an especially serious matter in case
of union with the United States We're
not accomplished 1t was suggested
by the State department officials, how
ever, that Hawaii might follow the
course pursued by the United States
in the case of outrages upon foreign
citizens in this country. 1t is usual
for the government to pay an indem-
nifty to the families of the victims with
the understanding, however that such
action has no reference whatever to
the question of liability. State de-
partment officials, however, would be
glad to see the controversy finally dis
posed of before she takes the annexa-
ton treaty under consideration.
The departure of the Naniwa was
announced both by Mr.. Sewall and
Rear Admiral Miller. The latter has
satisfied himself that the Japanese
cruiser has really gone to Japan and
this being the case, the cruiser Phila-
delphia will come home Immediately
after the arrival Of the gunboat Wheel
ing with her orders to return when
the Naniwa left" The Baltimore will
be placed in commission October /,
and will be ready to receive her officers
and men the moment the Philadelphia
drops anchor in the harbor.
Another feature of Minister Sewall's
report which was pleasing to the Off
cials was the statement that all was
quiet on the island. He refers to the
Japanese portion of the community,
stating that they were evidently
peaceably disposed, at least there is
no present evidence of any Intention
on their part to precipitate an upris-
ing. Minister Sewall also announced
that the annexation treaty has been
ratified by the Hawaiian Senate with
out dissenting vote.
The gunboat Yorktown has arrived
in Yokohama on her way to Honolulu
where she is due in less than two
weeks. The gunboat Wheeling has
carried about forty men to the Ha-
waiian islands in addition to her own
crew. These men win be transferred
to the Yorktown, which has a short