The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1898-08-31
WHO AMONG YOU ARE HAWAIIAN GTZENSy'
Question of Allegiance a Mixed One
to the Commissioners.
First Public Hearing On the Subject of the Form of
Government For the Islands.

The Congressional Commission met
at $3.50 this morning. Half an hour
after the doors were opened to the
public, and Senator Cullom announc-
ed that the Commission was ready to
hear anyone present. Hon. F. NJ.
Hatch was present with Goo Kim, the
Chinese commercial agent; Wong
Quai, Chinese vice consul, and other
leading Chinese. Mr.. Hatch was first
heard.
HATCH'S ARGUMENT.
Mr.. Hatch said Gentlemen of the
Commission: l appear before you in
behalf of the Chinese in Hawaii, whose
interests call for very careful consid-
Grafton at your hands. / desire to
impress upon you that a very plain
distinction exists between the Chinese
here, those in the United States and
those in China, and to ask that in
such recommendations as you may
see fit to make to Congress such dis
position should be made as to those
residing here as will protect them in
their pursuits and business interests,
with especial reference to their vest
eu Nus lllO lldNdlihh SONCA IL
ment. At the outset / wish to point
out that they do not ask that the pol
lev of the United States with regard
to Chinese immigration be changed
and that the doors be thrown open
indiscriminately. These men are al
ready here and all that they ask is
that such recommendation be made
that there will be no discrimination
against their right to do business and
hold property. There is a strong de-
sire among the Chinese that those
born here or naturalized here should
have the full rights of American clti-
zenship, and a particularly strong
feeling that citizenship in the full
meaning should be granted to all the
Chinese holding Hawaiian citizenship
They are in the same category as 9TH
er foreigners made citizens of Ha-
waii."
NO DISTINCTION.
Senator Cullom-Citizenship to the
fullest extent, that is, to the extent
of the suffrage?
Mr.. Hatch-Yes, there can be no
distinction, unless it be an arbitrary
one. OF course there are alien Chi
nese, Japanese and foreigners, who
are not affected, but many of these
l represent are already Hawaiian cit
izens. Disclaiming any desire for a
departure from the settled policy OF
the United States towards the Chinese
we ask that that policy shall be ex'
tended to Hawaii, so as to work as
little injury as possible and to mod
crate extent There are but a few
hundreds of these Chinese who have
become Hawaiians who will be af-
fected. / take it for granted that il
is not in the minds of the Commits
sion to discriminate against the Chi
nese in connection with other aliens
Senator Morgan-What is the eX
status of the Hawaiian law?
Mr.. Hatch-It amounts now to rig
id exclusion.
Senator Cullom-Is that law rigidly
enforced?
Mr.. Hatch-Yes. it has been so, o.
late years, so much so as to keep ou
large numbers who otherwise would
have come.
Senator Cullom-You appear only
then for those who are here now, no
| for those who wish to come.
Mr.. Hatch-That is correct, Mr.
Chairman.
Senator Morgan-Then these Chi
nese whom you represent virtually
ask the United States to repeal its eX
clusion laws for their benefit?
Mr.. Hatch-I don't know that I an
authorized to answer that.
Senator Morgan-The act of Con
| gress is very strict.
Senator Cullom-So is the New
lands resolution, under which we ar
acting. (Reading it, The languag
is verv strong in excluding Chimes
from Hawaii.
MIGHT BE RUINED.
Mr.. Hatch-These people have no
concerned themselves about visiting
the United States. They are concern
ed in having the right of sending thei
children to China and bringing theI
from China here, and visiting bac
and forth themselves. This L shoul
Judge would largely depend on wha
construction the United States author
tiles put on the term merchants.
The Chinese here desire to point on
to you what would be the result G
undue severely on your part. Their
are Chinese merchants here of yer
high commercial standing who Nigh
be utterly ruined. l do not eve
know whether it is in your power {
make any recommendation in the fac
of the strong language of the resoll
ton, but as you are here on tn
ground we have asked you to hea
us.
Congressman Hitt-Can you stat
the exact number of Chinese who hay
become naturalized Hawaiians?
Mr.. Hatch-Yes; 1872.
President Dole-Have they not bee
Disseminated against, as regards til
franchise for instnnce2