Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-05-24
JAPANESE IN HAWAII
I"eiTe Thousand Have Arrived sinea
the Islands Were Annexed

The rapid increase Of Japanese frnr,fcra-
ton into Hawaii has attracted the serious
attention of the authorities of late and soy
eral official inquiries have been set on foot
TO learn the extent Of the invasion and how
1t can be checked. The reports received by
the immigration authorities are in line with
press dispatches stating that the influx is
steadily increasing.
One official report from a United States
inspector stationed at Honolulu states that
l2,0D japanese have arrived since the isl
tnds were annexed to the United States
He also reports that in his opinion the total
population Of Asiatics by the end of the
present year will exceed the total popula-
ton of all other nationalites.
Race Conflicts Threatened
Another official report comes from an in
| spector stationed on the Pacific coast who
was sent on j special mission to investigate
the causes of this influx. He visited Japan
as well as Hawaii, and the facts he obtain
ed expected to shed much light on the.
causes leading up to the recent heavy ar
rival of Asiatics. Thus far only his pre-
linnary report has been received, and this.
II is Understood, bears out the previous re-
ports as to the extent of this immigration
and the mcnacing results which may arise
from it. The inspector at Honolulu states
that one Of the effects of the heavy Increase
of japanese is 10 bring on race conflicts
between the Chinese and japanese the
former being gradually outnumbered as The
dominant ASiatic force in Hawaii In a re-
cent clash, it is stated by the report. sew
eral Chinese were killed aud a number
wounded.
No New Serious Question.
AT the japanese legation II is said that
| the coming of Japanese to Hawaii presents
| no new or serious question. An official Of
| the legation said today: japanese labor is
almost essential in operating the large
| plantations in Hawaii. and 1t is naturally
| in much demand. But this is A condition
| inherent to Hawaii. and the japanese gov
ernnent and Japanese people cannot con-
troll ii. Our government in no way assists
or encourages immigration TO Hawaii.
! There are immigration brokers and COM
| panies which carry on flourishng bust
ness, but these have no government status.
| The only action Of the government in the
| matter is to license the brokers. in order
| to insure the protection of the immigrants
| against imposition. Some of the japanese
| papers have urged that the population of
| Japan was 50 dense that there ought to be
| some outlet. But the government has never
| taken up that idea, and there is no official
| system Of deporJiug Japanese.
Since the islands were annexed to the
United States Hawaiian affairs affecting
| Japan come under the legation here. But
We have had no recent reports showing an
| alarming increase in iulGni gra ton. On the
contrary We are inclined 70 believe il VIII
| fall off by the expiration of the three-year
term which the immigrants spend abroad.
| AT any rate an influx of Japanese can have
no political Significance whatever. and il
would amount to nothing If the reports
were true that they would ouInumber other
nattOnaiues. They have 10 votes, so that
| their influence is not exerted in shaping the
| affairs of the islands. From all the in
| formation reaching US, we feel that nothing
| is to be apprehended by the arrival Of Jap
| anese in Hawaii, and that their presence is
| of positive benefit, if not essential, TO the
| development OF the islands.