The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1900-07-17
TO INVESTIGATE
LABOR TROUBLES.
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 day and continued his
journey on the America Maru last night.
| The latter was *. Takahira the Japan
ose Minister Plenipotentiary to the Unit
I cd States, who goes to Washington to
| fiji the vacancy existing In that post. The
Japanese official who will stay here n
while is Secretary OF the Foreign Office
Abe, who comes empowered by his Gov
| ornment to Investigate the status of Jap
anese laborers in Hawaii and to report on
| INN grafton to this country from Japan.
| Minister Takahira was entertuiled by
Consul Mkt Saiio, and went on his way
last night after but brief time spent i'm
gcneralzng on the situation. MIR. Abe
will make "A lelsurely search Into condl-
| tons. Neither would talk o. their mis-
sions or of the trouble Ia China, dp.omat-
ic barriers making 1t impossible. The fol-
lowing from Yokohama tells fully of Mr..
Ahe's business here:
YOKOHAMA, July G.-Since the annex
at on of Hawaii by the United States, the
position of The japanese settlers or con-
tract laborers has not been very envi-
able one. BY the 18th of June last they
became free lahorers W tn the consequence
that the degree of control necessary for
the maintenance of good order among them
became somewhat relaxed Still the Jap
anese immigration companies, of which
the Hiroshima lmmlgrat on Company is
the most prosperous, important and well
organized, contrived TO bring the pressure
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, 1t is unneces-
sary to inquire, when IL is remembered
that Japan's yearly profit from this source
Is considerable. Prompted as the authori-
ties are by a strong desire to promote the
countrys commerce In every possible di-
rect.on, they are prepared to scdntinue
the undertaking. however profitable. If
the conditions are not as the Government
wish them to be. Also they have dec ded
not to send emgrants, 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
ment's no'icv in reference to the Hawaii
an emigration.
The Government formerly received as
surance from the ex-Un ted Stat 5 Secre-
| tary Sherman, through their former Mn
| lister to Washington, -..r. Hoshi. that Jap
anese vested rights in Hawaii would not
| be infringed even If the islands passed
| into the hands of America. The Foreign
| ONCE In Toxic fondly ol!ngs to this view,
| ana it's policy has been to maintain that
confiding attitude In regard to the Ha-
waian emigration, which Is only possible
under n perfect understand ng with
| Dnwnr II 10 to lot
between the United States and Japan.
though not In n written form. SO long
as the immigration of Japanese laborers
was not tabooed, the Government was
and Is prepared TO mitigate the abuses at
tondant upon emigration. In proof of this
1t may he noted that -.,e s1-called emigra-
ton companies are subjected to severer
control than before and the Hiroshima
and humamoto emigration companies
, have even volunteered to comply wi h any
rigid regulations that may be enacted, 80
as to give no cause for complaint on ac-
count of INDECENT men being sent. The
Foi elgn ONCE has given its thorough ap-
proval to the course adopted by this com
pany. AS a result of the al cred sltua-
ton, the men agreed to work for the
planters as free laborers. at the increas-
ed wages of SH gold per month instead of
| Sl5, as heretofore. Or course, the increase
| OF their wages was not to be squaudered
|
| 8erve fund held for the benefit of the la
borers, and TO taking over the medical ex-
ponses of the men from the planters deb
| II account The matter went smoothly.
| for 1t appears that the sugar plantations
| In Hawaii would be handicapped II the
| Japanese lauorers were withdrawn. But
| the Japanese Consul at Hawaii, Mr.. Sal
10. declared on lie 18th of June-no doubt
| he stuck to the theoretical side of the
question only-that with the abolition of
the contract labor system the Japanese
were not bound any more to provide safe
guards, such as the reserve fund, etc.
This was. no doubt. a blow to the assur-
ance and confidence hitherto enjoyed mu-
| tually by the planters and the laborers.
Consequently. great perturbation now pre-
walls among the two who are at a loss
to understand the Consuls motives He
gave his opinion simply as an inu.,..ual
by no means in his official capacity 1t
| cannot be doubted that he was forgetfuI
OF his country's interests. But his off,
cial position gave great uneaslness to the
planters and the men alike. The matter
IL, we understand. to Re made the subject
or special Investigation by the Govern
ment. Mr.. Takahira, the Japanese Min
lister 10 Washington, viii call at Homo
lulu en- route. and find out on whom the
responsibility for the present sgtation
| rests. The Government has every reason
| TO protect the Hawaiian emigration. which
Is a source OF prosperity to the Japanese.