The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1902-11-08

TO BR|BE
Jap Gives Money
To Federal
Officers.
|BRECKONs ONE
OF The VICTIMS
But He Turned the Tables Very
Neatly on the Little
Brown Man.

An alleged attempt to bride United
States officials came to light yesterday
in the trial of Y. Hiroto, charged with
bringing Japanese girls into the
try for purposes of prostitution. Hi
roto was held to the Federal grand
jury, in bond Of 5 $4,000. by United
States Commissioner Gill on the 'sla-
very charge, no action being taken
relative to the attempt at bribery.
United States Attorney Breckons and
A. F. Gaffney, Japanese Interpreter in
the customs service, are the two men
who were given money by Hiroto in
an effort to secure their aid in releas-
ing the two Japanese girls who were
arrested a few weeks ago.
The story of the attempted bribery
first came to light during the examin-
alton of Gaffney upon the witness
stand. The Japanese interpreter tes-
titled that Hiroto had come to Homo
lulu in August, bringing with him the
girl Kimi, who he said was his wife.
She was but fourteen years of age.
according to the passport issued by the
Japanese government, and KIM also
made the same statement upon her
examination. After the arrest of Kimi
in Iwilei, Hiroto came to him Z
evening and asked his assistance in
securing her release, promising that
she would offend no more. Gaffney
said ne referred the Japanese to the
United States Attorney, in whose
hands the matter had been placed.
"Hiroto was accompanied by Mijama
and two other Japs," said Gaffney.
When they left my house Hiro-
to left a Japanese box upon the
table, and said it contained some con-
fectionery for the children. I thought
nothing Of the box until after their
departure, when ] called the attention
of my wife to the confectionery, and
we opened the box. Instead of the
candy I found two envelopes, marked
Present YOU both of which I took to
the collector of the port, and they were
presence of collector Sharp. One en-
velope contained $25 and the other
$40"
Gaffney told Of a second interview
had with the defendant in the Office OF
United States Attorney Breckons,
wherein Hiroto. had asked him what
the United States Attorney could do
for him.
What did the defendant leave with
the United States Attorney" asked Mr..
Breckons.
FIFTY dollars in gold" was the re-
ply.
On cross examination Gaffney said
that the $50 given to Breckons had
been placed in an envelope, which was
the last heard of it by him. The
money was afterwards turned over TIC
the japanese Consul.
Mr.. Brooks asked also if it was not
the custom for Japanese to bring wo-
men to the country as their wives
when they had not been married, to
which the witness replied that he had
heard of such cases.
Gaffney stated further on cross-ex-
animation that the money was not
given to him for any service he per
formed, and denied that he had told
the Jap that he could get his wife oul
on payment of his expenses.
He testified also that the defendant
had said upon arrival at the immigra-
ton office that he intended to engage
in the honey business in Honolulu.
Marshal Hendry was the only Other
1 witness, telling simply of the arrest o.
4 the defendant and the two japanese
4 girls. This, with the immigration
records, was all the evidence, there be
ing no defense, and Commissioner Gill
after hearing brief argument, held Hi
4 roto to await the action of the Fedora
grand jury. fixing the bond at 1000
The trial Of the japanese arrested
with Hiroto is set for today, and tn,
evidence being almost the same. tn,
defendant will, in all probability
waive examination.
a -&--