The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1898-08-31

forfeited Chinese citizenship by be-
coming Iawaiians. What will they
be if their Hawaiian nationality is de-
MED them?
Senator Cullom-Your plea then Is
for civil rather than political rights?
Mr.. Hatch-Yes.
CAN MORE CHINESE COME?
Senator Morgan-I would like your
opinion, Mr.. Hatch. Do you think any
more Chinese can come here under the
resolution?
Mr.. Hatch-No. the resolution is too
plain on that point. But the resolu-
ton also tacitlv admits there are
Chinese now here with certain rights.
AS to these rights it says nothing be-
yond denying the right to go to the
United States. As to their civil rights
it is entirely silent.
Senator Morgan-The Chinese are
mentioned twice in the resolution,
and it would appear that two classes
were intended. I will read the Sec
ton. "There shall be no further i'm
migration of Chinese except upon such
conditions as are now or may hereaf-
ter be allowed by the laws of the
United States" which refers to one
class, sand no Chinese by reason OF
anything herein contained shall be
allowed to enter the United States
from the Hawaiian Islands," referring
TO another class, both provisions be-
ing mandatory. Now the question
arises, does the second paragraph in
clude Chinese who were Hawaiian cit
izens? ] would like your opinion on
that also, Mr.. Hatch?
Mr.. Hatch-I hold that these were
not Chinese in the meaning of the
resolution; that they became Hawaii
ans to all intents and purposes by the
act of naturalization.
Senator Cullom-Did not these nat
uralized Chinese come here with the
intention of returning to China, and
do they not return after naturaliza-
ton?
Congressman Hitt-And are they
not still Chinese subjects, no matter
what their status in Hawaii?
Mr.. Hatch-The Hawaiian govern
ment has never admitted that. 1t has
held that after naturalization they
were Hawaiians. They have acted as
such. They have intermarried with
the Hawaiians and given up any in
tention of returning. They have
seemed satisfied to remain here and
have made good citizens. Intermar-
riage of Chinese and Hawaiians has
been frequent and has been good for
both and in that fact, | think will be
found the explanation of the desire of
the Chinese for naturalization. They
have become satisfied to permanently
reside here.
Senator Cullom-Take the case of q
Chinese married to a native woman
OF what race does your government
regard the children? Take your cen
sus returns for instance. Does the
nationality of the children follow the
father or the place of birth?
Mr.. Hatch-Their citizenship is
plain enough, but their race may not
be. They are born here and become
Hawaiians by our laws, as do all chill
dren of foreigners unless some treaty
stipulation expressly provides other.
wise. The question of the citizenship
of such children is not open to dis
cussion even, the law is too plain
Hence we are here before you today
| asking that in view of the Hawaiian
| law there should be no unjust dis
elimination against these children O
! Chinese and natives born in Hawaii
thereafter. There has been unior
! of two races by the act of annexation
/ but I don't think it was ever intend
ed that any injustice should be done
| to either.
CONGRESS- WILL SAY.
Senator Cullom-The Commission
comes to Hawaii under different cir
cumstances to any yet appointed. Un
! til the act of annexation was consum
mated there were virtually no Anne
rican citizens here. 1t rests with Con
gress to say who among you have be
come citizens of the United States.
Mr.. Hatch-There is one othe
point. The desire of the Chinese t,
import laborers for their rice plan
tations. This is a peculiarly har,
and laborious occupation, conducte'
mostly under water and one TO
which Hawaiians are untitled.
Senator Cullom-You have cut OF
that right yourself by statute.
Mr.. Hatch-Certain Chinese hav
been admitted under bond to leave a
the expiration of a certain time, no
under contract at all.
Senator Cullom-Then you hav
been admitting Chinese right along?
Mr.. Hatch-Not as contract labor
ers, only under bond for special pul
poses, such as agricultural laborers.
A STRONGER TERN.
Senator Morgan-Your Constitutio
Article II, Section /, says: "All pei
sons born or naturalized in the Ht
waiian Islands, and subject to tn
jurisdiction of the Republic, are cit
zens thereof" The United State
Constitution instead of the word
Subject to the jurisdiction" used
stronger term, "and not subject
any foreign power" The laws of th