The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1904-10-15

1t is up to Secretary Metcalf CT the
Department Of Commerce and Labor to
say whether or not the seventeen geisha
girls under detention in this city shall
be returned to Japan OF allowed their lib
erty In the United States until the al
legged expiration of tho time specified in
their bond
The girls viii fight their extradition to
the extreme Of the law. and yesterday
secured an attorney to present their
claims before immigration Chief James r
Dunn. when the cases are called.
Chief Dunn announced yesterday that
the hearing in the case would probably
not start before Monday. as the papers
which are said to contain instructions
from Washington will hardly arrive be-
fore that time. The examination of the
girls as to the legality of their remaining
here will probably take a week or ten
days. as It is the intention Of the local
Immigration Bureau to allow the defend
ants all the time they wish to present
Chief Dunn, after the hearing, the dnal
decision will probably be made.
1t is understood that the japanese Min
lister at Washington, however. through the
Imperial Japanese Commissioner Of the
Worlds Fair. has interested himself in
the case. The case thus becomes, It Is
stated, a matter affecting the international
relations Of the two countries.
The girls were not moved from their
guarded domicle yesterday. The house In
Cabanne place where 1t was intended to
hold the girls until the close Of their ex-
animation was not suited to their wants.
and Chief Dunn decided to secure another
habitation- 1t is probable that the prison.
ers will be taken from Etzel avenue to-
day or tomorrow.
GIRLS WELL GUARDED.
Thirteen detectives and policemen guard
the house and prevent the girls from COM
municating with anyone from the outside.
A new side to the interesting question
was obtained yesterday from the girls
attorney, Henry B. Davis. who has an
office in the Roe building. He had been
employed by a Japanese merchant Mr..
Nakagowa- who has champfoned the
cause Of the girls. and who Is determined
to see that justice Is done them. 1t Is
said that the girls are a part Of high
class troupe which was showing at the
Japanese Imperial Theater at Toxic. and
are artists of excellent standing. Their
passport papers are said to bear, evidence
to their high standing in their profession
Mr Davis said:
"Ostensibly, the japanese Commission
er demands the return Of the girls on
moral grounds. In reality. believe, 1t
Is the question OF saving $4,000 bond
which was given to secure the return OF
the girls some time IN the spring. The
girls were brought to this country by
Mr.. Yamasacbi. acting as an agent for
concessionaire andre. Mr.. andre has an
exhibit at the Worlds Fair. He dis
charged the girls from his employ at
Fair Japan a short time ago. Mr.. Naka-
eowa. my client, and the champion OF
the girls cause. took the girls, who were
practically stranded, as they had received
no money from the concessionaire for
their work. and has about completed ar
ransements for the girls to tour the coun-
try at a salary Of $500 per week for a
| term Of forty weeks"
SIGNED CONTRACTS.
"They were to go under the manage
ment Of Klaw & Erianger Of New York
City. AS the girls have made practically
nothing since coming here, they jumped
at the opportunity Of making some ready
American money and signed their names
to contracts. A new high-class company
| was to be organized and this troupe, hich