The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1901-08-06

T.. Cofer. that there was a case of re-
ported bubonic plague upon said vessel
and
Whereas, The said DIR. l.. e. Cofer. as
such Federal quarantine physician for
| the port of Honolulu. made no attempt
upon boarding said vessel. to proceed
! with an investigation Of the case Of al
legged bubonic plague. but at once pro-
ceeded to make a personal examination
of all the Oriental passengers on said
vessel without first ascertaining the ne.
cessity therefor, and
! Whereas, The supposed case Of bubonic
plague was In fact not case OF bubonic
plague but an entirely distinct disease
and in no wise dangerous to the commun-
| ity at large. and
Whereas, Such fact could have been
readily and easily ascertained by pre-
| liminary examination of the supposed
sick person, and
Whereas. In the examination or the
Oriental steerage passengers. they were
! In some cases stripped partially naked.
regardless of sex, and subjected to an
examination by the male subordnates of
the said port physician, acting under his
orders, and
| Whereas. Said examination was con-
Quoted In an indecent and unnecessary
manner, and misused by the said exam
!
grossest outrages upon the persons or
said passengers, and
| Whereas. This examination was con-
| fined 10 Oriental steerage passengers, the
steerage passengers of other nationalties
being made merely to pass before said
physician and no attempt being made at
examination, and
| Whereas, No attempt was made to ex-
anime in any way the Caucasion first
] hni m
quired to pass before the examining ply
sician. and
| Whereas Among the first cabin pas
sengers were the Japanese vice-consul for
the City of Honolulu. Mr.. Saburo Okabe,
his wife and other ladies'. together with
other Japanese gentlemen; and
Whereas, The said vice-consul and the
other Japanese gentlemen were subjected
to a physical examination of their per-
sons after the Caucasian first-class pas
sengers had been passed by the examin-
ing physician with no investigation what
ever. and
Whereas. The said Japanese ladies were
first forced to expose their persons and
then were subjected to a physical exam
ination thereof by the male examining
physicians in a manner outrageous and
revolving to their feelings and delicacy,
after the Caucasian lady passengers of
physician with no examination whatso-
| ever, and
Whereas, These examinations were
made by the direct orders and under the
supervision OF the said United States
physician for the port Of Honolulu. DR..
L. f. Cofer. and
Whereas. All these facts are Of general
notoriety and have been established by
the undenied statements made under
oath by those subjected to this outrage.
and by the statements of other witnesses
| thereof: and as a part thereof have been
| admitted by the said DR.. l.. T.. Cofer,
| Now, therefore, be II resolved. BY the
Japanese citizens of the City OF Homo
lulu, in general mass meeting assembled:
First. That the entire examination as
conducted in this case was precipitate.
uncalled for and due solely to the lack
OF foresight and to the impetuousness of
the said DIR. L. f. Cofer In proceeding
Herewith before ascertaining whether
the necessity for such examination ex-
! listed.
| Second. That the method of examina-
ton was unnecessary. unusual and In yio-
lation Of common decency; that II was
an insult to womankind at large. regard
less of race or color:
Third. That as such II deserves the re-
probation and condemnation OF every
honorable man: and that those who are
responsible therefor are deserving OF the
sharpest censure and punishment for