The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1904-10-24

class of women through the East, but
also maintains i'm Manila a system of
establishments from which a perennial
stream of disreputabe femininity flows
to the continent of Asia.
The existence of such establishments
under the protection and practical sup
port Of the Philippine commission has
been often denied, but never officially.
1t is fact that a large and increasing
number of them exist in Manila. 1t is
a fact that their Introduction and con-
duct were originally suggested, and
their later existence promoted at the
instance of high government officers. 1t
is true that the houses of prostitution
are practically licensed and that the
laboratory of the government spends
large share of its time in the periodical
inspections. Finally, it is true that
streams of the inmates of these houses
are regularly drawn from the United
States, and that floods of them pass
from Manila to Hong Kong. In short,
Manila has become pest hole of west
ern immortality for the whole of the
East The discredit arising from the
presence of these women in eastern
ricans, but is reflected upon all white
races. 1t hampers missionary effort,
adds to race contempt and prejudice,
creates more artificial social distinc-
tons by which the line is drawn a
gainst visiting Americans, produces
consular difficulties and adds greatly
to the trouble of keeping order in some
eastern cities, notably Hong Kong.
That there was loose, lax living before
the invasion of the East by American
prostitutes hardly needs to be stated.
What we have added has been the ele-
ment of western coarseness in such
matters. And all this must be laid ac-
lively at the doors Of the Philippine
commission, which supplies in Manila
the breeding ground for vice; passively
at those of the Washington admins
tration and of our consuls who have
taken no measure of repression.
The existing situation can best be I'M
derstOod by illustration. When 1 took
passage by one of the principal lines
from Hong Kong to Manila, the steam
ship agent advised me to wait a week
for the next vessel AS it was not ty-
phoOn season, l was naturally curious
to know the reason for the suggestion.
Upon being pressed for a reply, he
rather reluctantly admitted that the
ships accommodations had been large
ly taken by disreputable American wo-
men, and that it might be a disagree
able passage lin case the officers should
have to devote themselves to maintain
ing order" AS l found it necessary to
demand passage in spite of this warn
ing a ticket was finally issued to me.
The agent, however, need not have wor-
ried over the maintenance of order by
the ships officers, for these function
aries Joined with the women in making
the voyage one long debauch. A friend
who came over on the next vessel in
forms me of a similar experience, there
being not less than 80 American prosti-
tutes on board Inquiry has led me to
the conclusion that the shipping com
panies take no steps to restrict the IL
berty accorded this class of women on
their vessels because of the profit de-
rived from their constant voyages be-
tween Hong Kong and Manila Many Of
them, in fact, fill regular appointments
in both of these cities, passing at stated
intervals from one to the other. The
trans-Pacific ships, while less numer-
ously infested by prostitutes, carry
number of them on nearly every vOy
age, and, like other American citizens
not entitled to such favOrs, they fire.
quently secure passage on army trans
ports through their military or politi-
cal friends.