The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1898-08-09
BIG STRIKE
is AvERTED
Japanese Field Hands Will Not
Quit Their Work.
LEGATION SENT OUT A NOTE
Plans Had Been Laid for Labor
Earthquake-Test Cases-3, 900.
Views of a Diplomat.

There viii not be general strike
of Japanese plantation Iaborers upon
the change of the sovereignty of Ha-
wall.
Such a movement or demonstration
had been proposed and was quite well
organized.
Rioting might have been included in
the affair.
The prospect was that every sugar
estate in the group would be crippled.
Culture and handling of cane and
operation of mills were to cease so far
as the japanese were concerned.
All this has been averted by the in
tervention of the local representative
Of His Imperial Japanese Majesty's
Government.
Mr. Hirai, secretary and charge,
granted an interview last evening to a
representative of the Advertiser. The
great strike scheme and the abandon
ment of it as currently reported for
some days having been presented by
the visitor, Mr. Hirai said:
You have been correctly informed.
For many weeks, or [ might say for
many months, the Japanese laborers
on the plantation have been restless.
They have been anticipating annexa-
ton from their own view point. the
same as everybody else. Their idea
has been and 1 suppose remains, that
they will have an increase of wages
under the American rule. They want
it and have been encouraged in expect
ing it by those who think that more
wages only win insure a steady force
on the plantations.
"A short time ago it became quite
evident that the agitation for a strike
of huge proportions Immediately on
the raising of the stars and stripes
would have result. AS you must know.
there are leaders amongst these field
hands and some of the leaders are
shrewd and have staunch foIICwings
Word was passed that the only way
in which they could secure what they
believed they were entitled to was to
institute what would amount to a sus-
pension of the sugar industry They
carefully figured out their power and
came to the conclusion that they could, |
by quitting at all places at the same |
time bring the planters to terms. Some |
of them had the idea also that they |
could influence either the new or old |
or the two jointly. They |
believed they held the whip hand and |
r how 1y-o,o JiSpncoJ 70 11co
The legation now has the assurance |
that there will be no strike. Notice or |
warning has been sent out in the name |
of the home Government and replies |
have come indicating that there will be |
no resort to an extreme measure. The |
bulletin sent to the labOrers them |
selves and to the immigration cOmpa- |
nias was to the effect that the men |
must not strike and riot and make |
trouble and disturb their own cOndi- |
tiOns and the affairs of their employ |
ers, who had engaged them in good |
faith and who had equitable claim up |
on their services. 1t was pointed out |
to the men that hasty or nl-judged ac- |
tiOn would be to the discredit of them |
selves, of the whole Japanese people |
and of their Government, which was |
friendly with both Hawaii and the |
when the commission came to frame |
laws for the control Of Hawaii under |
full inquiry would be made /
concerning both the plain contracts !
and the penal cause. The IabOrers have |
been instructed that one or two test |
cases viii be ample to settle all Ques- |
tiOns and that this course viii be bet /
ter in every way than striking. They
agree to this. There Will not be q
strike. 1t would be bad, very bad, in
many respects. The reputation Of Jap
anesa labor must be maintained.
I cannot say how the test cases will
be laid before the courts, but suppose
that the labOreTs or their companies. /
perhaps, will see that the laws are in
yestigated."
Are the 5000 new IabOrers that have
been permitted by this Government
coming on?" was the next question.
"Oh, yes; they viii be here on time
Suppose that $75, 900 had not been
paid?"
We'll. I said to some one here, and