The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1900-07-17
Mr.. Abe Sent By His
Government.
.CONFtRS WITH PLANTERS
Secretary of Foreign Office Arrives
With Minister to
Washington.

Two high Japanese officials arrived here
Yesterday, one of whom is still here: the
other tarried but a day and continued his
Journey on the America Maru last night.
The latter was X. Takahira, the Japan
ese Minister Plenipotentiary to the Unit
d States. who goes to Washington to
i'll the vacancy existing in that post. The
Japanese official who will stay here a
while is Secretary of the Foreign Office
Abe, who comes empowered by his Gov
eminent to investigate the status of jap
anese laborers in Hawaii and % report on
immigration to this country from Japan.
Minister Takahira was entertained by
Consul Mkt Saito, and went on his way
last night after but brief time spent in
generalizing the situation. Mr.. Abe
will make a leisurely search into condi-
lions. Neither would talk OF their mis-
sions or of the trouble in China, diplomat
ic barriers making it impossible. The fol-
lowing from Yokohama tells fully of Mr.
Abe's business here:
YOKOHAMA, July 6-Since the annex
position of the Japanese settlers or con-
tract laborers has not been a very envi-
able one. BY the 18th of June last they
became free laborers with the consequence
that the degree of control necessary for
the maintenance of good order among than
became somewhat relaxed Still the Jap
anese immigration companies, of which
the Hiroshima immigration Company is
the most prosperous, important and well
tfr fsyG1
Of their position to bear upon them to en-
sure harmony between the Hawaiian
planters and the laborers. Whether the
companies were supported In the matter
by the Toxic Government, il Is unneces-
sary to inquire, when it is remembered
that JaparGs yearly profit from this source
is considerable. Prompted as the authori-
ties are by a strong desire to promote the
country's commerce in every possible di-
rect!on, they are prepared to discontinue
/ the undertaking. however profitable, II
/ the conditions are not as the Government
wish them to be. Also they have decided
not to send emigrants. except through the
authorized companies.
Mr.. Abe, Secretary OF the Foreign Of
fee. will leave for Hawaii tomorrow, with
a view to removing the wrong impression
formed by the planters about the Govern.
ments policy in reference to the Hawaii
an emigration.
! The Government formerly received as.
surance from the eX-United States Secre
tary Sherman, through their former Min
lister to Washington, .ur. Hoshi, that Jap
anese vested rights In Hawaii would no
be- infringed even If the islands passed
into the hands of America. The Foreign
Office in Toxic fondly clings to this view
and its policy has been 10 maintain tina
confding attitude, in regard to the Ha
waiian emigration. which is only possibl
under a perfect understanding with
foreign Power. such as is known to exis
between the United States and Japan
though not in a written form. SO lon
az the immigration OF japanese laborer
was not tabooed. the Government wa
and il prepared to mitigate the abuses at
tcndant upon emigration. In proof of thi
II may be noted that -..e so-called emigra
ton companies are subjected to severe
control than before and the Hiroshim
and Kumamoto emigration companie
have even volunteered to comply with an
rigid regulations that may be enacted, $
. as to give no cause for complaint on az
count of INDECENT men being sent. TIL
Foreign Office has given it's thorough al
prevail to the course adopted by this CON
pany. As a result of the altered situa
ton, the men agreed to work for tn
planters, as free laborers at the increa:
ed wages of 81 gold per month instead
$40, as heretofore. OF course, the increas
Of their wages was not to he squandere
but was to be devoted TO swelling the r.
serve fund held for the benefit of the Il
borers, and to taking over the medical @,
penses OF the men from the planters del
II account. The matter went smoothl
for II appears that the sugar plantation
In Hawaii would be handicapped if II
japanese laUorers We're withdrawn. b
A the japanese Consul a Hawaii Mr. Sa
10, declared on the 18th of June-no dou
he stuck to the theoretical side of Il
Question only-that with the abolition
the contract labor system the Japane
. were not bound any more to provide SAT
guards, such as the reserve fund, ct
This was. no doubt, a blow to the assn
ance and confidence hitherto enjoyed m
tually by the planters and the laborer
Consequently, great perturbation now pr
walls among the two, who are at a 10
to understand the ConsuTs motives. I
gave his opinion simply as an ina.v 4uus
by no means in his official capacity.
cannot be doubted that he was forgetf
of his country's interests. But his of
cial position gave great uneasiness to 4
planters and the men alike. The matt
Is, we understand, to be made the subje
:. OF special investigation by the Cover
ment Mr.. Takahira, the Japanese Mi
ister 10 Washington, will call at Hon
lulu en- route, and find out on whom d
responsibility for the present ag.tati,
. rests The Government has every reas,
10 protect the Hawaiian emigration, WIFI
~ source OF prosperity to the Japanes
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