Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1905-02-22
JAPANtS; PRISONER IS
MODEST IN HIS CLAIM
GAYS HAWAII MUST PAY OR BH
BLOWN skY-Hi0H - SERVES
NOTICE ON SHERIFF
HENRY.

Is what the Territory Of Hawaii must
pay II It doesn't want to be blown
sky-high by the guns Of Admiral To-
COS famous feet Of warships. At least
this is what Imata, a Japanese. claims
will happen II the above named sum
is not promptly forthcoming.
Imata Is one Of the distinguished
guests in Warden Kamana's select in
stitution. His fellow prisoners Of jap
anese-birth look upon him as a real
hero. Imata II was who made the SEN
sational escape from the chain gang
eight or ten years ago, by jumping into
the bay and swimming to the japanese
cruiser Naniwa, where he was given
q welcome and refuge This escape
was deemed Of such an important sig
uificance that It Is related by that
veracious historian, Lucien Young, In
his book "The Boston in Hawaii"
Imata has beou living on the laurels
and the reputation gained on that occa-
sion ever since. He Is a privileged
II erratic-prisoner; for him the quiet
and freedom OF the prison yard in.
stead OF the arduous work In the sum
bitten quarry; for him the privilege
OF registering daily kick In the Office
without risking a trip to the mys-
terious dark cell as a consequence.
For him the longer hours Of liberty and
the greater abundance Of the things
which go to satisfy the cravings of the
inner man. And yet. he is not salts
fed, and will not be until the Territory
OF Hawaii has paid into his hands the
modest sum Of one million dollars
which he claims as damages for his
false" Imprisonment.
Heretofore. Imata has been willing
to wait and to trust, but the day has
come when he will wait and trust no
longer. He has learned lately that hia
country is at war and needs money:
therefore he has served notice upon
High Sheriff Henry and Warden Ka.
mana that a part at least Of his claim
must be paid without delay so that
he may be enabled to contribute his
share to the humiliation Of the Rus
bluu ut tWo ohNioio INV
make promises, but In the mean time
the claim grows.
Originally Imata would have cried
quits IL the Provisional Government
had made proper amends for the out
rage 1t committed when 1t compelled
the officers of the Naniwa to surrender
one of their compatriots, albeit pris.
oner to the local police, and completed
the reparation by giving him his lib
erty. The Provisional Government and
its successor, the Republic OF Hawaii,
were obtuse and stubborn, however,
and paid no attention to Mr.. Imata.
which was a pity. So, when In 1898
the Stars and Stripes took the place
OF the emblem of Hawaii on top OF the
prison flag pole, Imata promptly serv-
ed notice upon the Warden that tho
days OF compromise had passed and
that he would never be satisfied until
the sum of 10000 had been paid him.
The Warden philosophlcally listened to
the why and wherefore Of the COM
plant and promised that he would SEQ
to II. Since that day, although lmata
Is said to be 'pupule" which he stren-
uously resents, he has never forgotten
his claim. In fact, he has taken such
good a care OF 1t that 1t has now
reached the sum Of one million dollars,
Local financiers would probably never
be able to explain such a rapid accu.
mutation Of interest, but then, they
have not spent thirteen long years
within the walls Of Oahu Prison mus
ing upon that mathematical problem.
Imata asserts he has made his last
demand for the money and will short
ly communicate with Admiral Togo
and It Is evident that the only safety
OF Honolulu and the integrity OF the
Territory lies in the fact that the
officials Of the Oahu Prison have YER,
keen sense OF humor and the prison
Office is supplied with very capa'
cious waste basket.
Il