The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1900-06-18
WANT CONTRACTS BACK.
JAPANESE STRIKES ALL OVER
THE ISLANDS.
oahu, Only, Exempt-rhe immigration
Companies Send Representatives to
See the Laborers-violence on Maui.

The Kinau and Claudine brought
back this week two delegations of Jap
anese sent from here by the immigra-
tion companies to consult with and ad-
wise the contract laborers regarding the
change in the laws. on three islands
there are reports of various troubles,
with n good deal of violence on Maui.
The delegates sent to one Maui planta-
tion are reported to have been compell-
ed to take refuge from their country
men on the Claudine, and two others
who went to Lahaina, came back with
bruises on their faces and heads, show
ing how they had been attacked. OW-
ing to the riotous disposition they found
existing they We're not able to accom-
plish anything. 1t is the intention Of
the immigration companies to send an
other delegation in a few days.
The Japan immigration Bureau, the
Tokyo Company, and the Japan Imml-
grafton Company, representing alto
gether about 300 900 laborers, combined
some time ago to cooperate in hand
ling the situation. They decided to
send representatives to all the planta-
tions to inform the workmen about the
new laws. On the Island of Maui there
have been several strikes lately and it
was there that the laborers were found
to be the most difficult to talk to. Ha-
manaka and Kuramoto were the men
time to find the laborers in a state of
much excitement, as a result of the
work of agitators. 1t is reported that
| the Japs have been told that they are
/ free American citizens now and that
( the American laws provide that no
working man shall receive less than a
dollar a day. At Spreckelsville the men
are said to have demanded a dollar a
! day for all work but irrigating, which
! they want to do for 500. Immediately
/ on landing the two delegates were con-
| frOnted by a crowd of laborers, and
they were assaulted before they had a
! chance to speak. Both men were slight
ly injured before they got to places of
safety. One has a cut made by a stone,
and another's lip is cut by some instru-
ment. The delegates returned to Ho-
nolulu on the Kinau.
At Hama, Tara and Tassaka had no
better success. The laborers had evil
IDENTIFY been worked upon by some agi-
tators who have given them incorrect
ideas of their rights under the new sys-
TEN. Tara and Tassaka returned on the
| Claudine, after narrowly escaping a
general assault from their angry coun-
! trymen.
Reports received also tell of general
strikes at Wailuku and Kipahulu. Wal
luku was compelled to shut down after
the 14th, and Kipahulu was at stand
!
on the 18th. The steamer was not able
to finish her cargo of sugar.
On Hawaii not so much trouble had
developed at the time of the last steam
er's departure. The Japs there, like
those on Kauai do not seem to have
been influenced by so many trouble
some ringleaders. One plantation, it is
not stated which in the reports, had I
strike on, but it was reported as mo-
serious"
Kauai had mild strikes all over or
the 18th. At Kealia it is reported thai
SAB Japanese We're given their contracts
back and returned to work.
The general feature of all the strike:
is a demand for annullment of labor
contracts. The men want their con
tracts returned to them, and a guaran
tee that they will be treated as free
laborers with, in some cases, advance
in wages. The dollar a day idea come:
from some ringleaders who have told
the Japs that under American laws they
can demand that sum and get it.
A. K. Ozawa, who is the secretary o
the combined immigration companies
and has received the reports of the del
egations, said this morning that thu
situation promised to mend very soon
"The trouble is due only to lack of in
formation among the men," said Mr.
Ozawa. "On the Island of Oahu, wher,
the men are in close touch with aHa1rS
there has been practically no trouble
at all. 1t is simply a matter of reach
ing these outside districts with correc
information to remedy the effects o
agitators' reports, and then we expec
things to go on as before We shal
send more representatives out to tall
with the laborers this week"
This morning Mr.. Ozawa was consult
ing with Consul Mkt Saito, who is ais
using his best efforts to stop the trou
bles.
Special correspondents of the Sta
write as follows:
, WAILUKU, Maui, June 16.-There I
a big strike of laborers on at Wailuk
plantation, so serious and general tina
it has been necessary for the planta
tion to close down. In this strike Jap
anese Portuguese and Hawaiians, hav
all Joined, demanding higher wages.
HAIKU, Maui, June 16.-Yesterday
June Is, two hundred contract Japanes
employed on Hamakuapoko plantation
refused to go to work. They seem I
have no special grievance, and mad
no demand or request for changes o
increase of pay before going on strike