The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1897-03-12

Yesterday a delegation composed of
representatives of the various immi-
grafton companies waited upon H. L.
]. NJ. Consul General Shimamura and
stated their grievances. AS a result
of this meeting, which lasted more
than an hour an indignation mass
meeting of Japanese residents will be
held today, the location of il could not
be learned.
The japanese up to the time of the
meeting have been tranquil and this
is the first intimation they have given
that they intended taking any steps
toward pressing their claims for d re-
cognition of their rights. In order to
ascertain whether the meeting today
will have the support of the represen-
tatiye of Japan a reporter for the Ad
vertiser called on Consul General Shi-
mamura at the Legation last night
Replying to the question regarding the
call of the immigration agents in the
afternoon the Consul General said:
1T was in no sense a meeting. Sew
eral of the immigration agents called
| here and presented their applications
and the action of the Government in
refusing "a landing to the Japanese now
in quarantine was freely discussed
Can you say whether there will be
a meeting of japanese residents to-
morrow" was asked by the reporter.
THAT l know nothing Of These
gentlemen called upon me as the offici-
al representative of Japan and stated
their grievance and listened to what
they had to say"
Assuming, Mr.. Shimamura, that you
consider that they have grievance
do you propose taking official recogni-
ton of it?"
"Assuredly yes! l am here to pro-
tect to the extent of my power all JAP
anese subjects and that l propose to
do. This second refusal of the Hawai-
ian Government to permit japanese
subjects to land here is a very serious
matter Hawaiians are allowed to land
in Japan and Japanese must be per-
mitted to land here as long as the
treaty between the two Governments
continues in force. People say that the
money in possession of these free labor
ers, students your paper calls them
has been provided by the immigration
agents or the steamship companies
This is false; investigation has prov.
en- it so, and in my opinion it is sim
ply a prejudice of the people here
against my people.
THE parents of these. free laborer!
can furnish them money and expert
ence no hardship from it and l know
from an investigation, which has beer
made by me- quietly, ii you wish, tina
the charges made are groundless. 1t il
a serious thing to prevent the landin.
of these Japanese subjects, very seri
Gus thing
Have you had any correspondence
with the Department of Foreign Affair
relative to the matter?" was asked O
the Consul.
las yet no. have been too busy il
my Office and l see by the papers tina
2 the matter is being taken to the Su
preme Court. This was the case som
months ago and it was decided that tn
Japanese had a legal right to land
:. In day or two, after this present cas-
S goes to the Court and decided / vii
act but l cannot do so until then
In reply to the questions whether o
I not the Japanese Government had bee
n notified of the affair, Mr.. Shimamur
Il
e answered testify.
O Certainly. l must keep my Govern
ment informed in all matters whic
pertain to Japanese subjects. Thi
e matter, let me repeat is a serious on
S to us and all of the documents in m
o possession in connection with the cas-
n will be forwarded to the departmer
l. at Toxic by the steamer tomorrow
S, You also forwarded cablegram b
x the Australia today, Mr. Shimamur;
n was that in relation to this quarantir
n case?" asked the reporter.
d 1T had to do with that, yes, but yc
lie must not question me too closely. YC
lie understand my position and that the
< are questions l cannot answer"
< With keen perception of the sit
" alton the reporter became more guar,
lie ed and the next question was:
of course you do not mind tellir
IS me, Mr.. Shimamura whether or N
a. you have requested your Governmel
rs to send man of war here?"
lie At this the shrewd diplomat dodge
n again and said laughingly, 4 mu
at decline to answer such leading que
Mt ton. My Government has been not
III lleu OIL lHe dCllOu Vi lIlS GONSTIIHe
lie further than that / decline to speak
lg Then the reporter tried side ST.
u followed by center rush on anoth
IN point which seemed vulnerable
Id 1T is said by the Japanese me
If chants, Mr.. Shimamura, that you f
OF vor the importation of all free lab
as may wish to come, and when Il
rs number is so much greater than Il
Id demand that employment is an il
n possibility, they may return to Japa
OF Is that SOP
IN "Why should they not come T
a? treaty gives them the right, and,
n they have the necessary financial gu;
On ification, no matter the source frc
re which it is derived, why should tn
of be prevented a landing. Does IL
no Government question German, Britt
v or American subjects as to where tn
TO obtained the money to get here or
enable them to land? No, sir a
nix this close inquiry into the cases of t
ng Japanese is merely prejudice. A fl
in years ago and their charges mig
ey be true, but today it is not. l have
nd vestigated this matter and understa
Id, it fully"
on when the case is decided by
70 Supreme Court, what will be yc
MS course2" was asked the Consul Gt
ng eral.
THAT depends entirely upon resul
IN ! may ask the Minister OF Foreign
pie fairs for an exclamation. 7 NAV