Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-11-17
TO RETURN TO JAPAN
DECISION REGARDING GEISHA
GIRLS AT THE EXPOSITION.
They Wanted to Go Home, but a Syndi-
cate Endeavored to Have Them
Kept Here.

Telegraphic orders were today issued by
the Department of Commerce and Labor
emanating from the office of the Secretary
TO the officials of the bureau of immigration
az 81. Louis to return to Japan fourteen
Geisha girls who have been at the exposi-
uon- This is the result of an investigation
Whlch mas been going on for some time
and the story Is of general interest only
htcause 1t seems that the girls were de-
tanned In this country against their wills.
Several months ago a company having a
concession at the st. Louis exposition ar
ranged for the attendance there of a GER
tain number of Geisha girls from Japan.
There were originally thirty-three of them
who came 10 this country and who did so
with the express understanding that they
were to be returned to Japan at the expira-
ton OF their contract. Quite a number OF
tEem went home before that time and some
died in this country
III mad been agreed between the Japanese
authorities In this country and the home
0Inelals that the girls would be returned to
yapah. since they were permitted to come
here under temporary suspension of the
alien contract labor law.
Girls Wanted to GO Home.
When the Japanese show closed some
time ago the girls wanted to go home in
tracts. but were detained here through the
Vaccinations of syndicate. the evident
purpose OF which was to make money out
OF their work on the stage here Their re-
turn was undertaken by the immigration
bureau, because IL was felt that a great In
Justice was being done the girls by detain-
ing them here, and also that it would be
'lmost crime to turn them adrift to get
LONE as best they could.
IL was believed at the department that
II they were turned loose the people who
had them at the fair would get them
again and prevent them from returning
To Japan. The persons who wished to de-
tain them claimed them to be ARTISTS
Wlthln the meaning OF the labor law a
designation which would have permitted
them TO remain in this country IL such
mad been their desire and If the claim had
been sustained to the satisfaction of the
Immigration bureau.
ne girls were supplied with legal coun-
'eIi "heh their trial came up in st. Louis.
ana the result Is shown In the action of
the department taken today II was clear
~ shown that the girls wanted TO go home
ana mat their employers wanted them TO
stay mere The government, therefore. un-
u ,',rt thelr temporary guardianship and
Win conduct them safely to the pier at San
francisco. from whence they will be sent
back to old Japan. happy again
Chinese Also Returning.
In the same train with the girls, although
IN Inherent cars. were 240 Chinese. who
have been ordered back to China after hay-
ing finished their contract at the fair AL
though the Chinese village at ST. Louis has
not yet closed, these men and women are
being returned because they express such
desire. and because 1t is found unsafe to
keep them.
The authorities have learned that they did
not come here with the intention If rot,
ing to China. but that they were given to
understand that they would be permitted to
escape the vigilance of the immigration Of
hcials and to remain In the United States
Several of them have tried to elude the
watchful eyes OF the officers, but have in
variably been caught.