The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-06-29
Tho Drama I'm Japanese Politics.

In Hawaii the Japanese Government
is represented by Mkt SAITo, who, as
Consul, is charged with the protection
and care Of his fellow countrymen res
jdent in the islands. The consulate Ii In
Honolulu, and for some time the Japa-
nese residents of the islands have felt that
Mkt SAITo was not as energetic in the
discharge of his duties to them as he
should be. Recently several efforts to
have the Consul displaced have been
made and, to show the strong feeling
they entertained against him, his enemies
have produced a number of political
dramas in which Mkt SAITo ia disclosed
in tho role Of heartless and wicked
opprcssor OF the poor.
In the plays produced at Honolulu
the hardships suffered by the Japanese
coming to the islands are depicted with
realistic fidelity to detail In one play
brutal treatment of Japanese laborers is
the theme. In another a Portuguese
foreman is shown beating a Japanese
laborer, an incident that called forth
wild excitement from the spectators.
These scenes, it is alleged, are faithful
reproductions Of authenticated cases OF
iltreatment, TO prevent which the I'M
popular Consul has done nothing
The managers of these political plays
did not obtain a license for their produc-
ton, the High Sheriff refusing to grant
one on the ground that they were attacks
on the representative of a friendly Power,
who desired their suppression. TO get
around this difficulty the plays were
produced free, no admission fee being
charged Once inside the theater the
visitor was told that if he wished he
might rent a chair for rs cents. IL he did
not choose to do this he was expected to
squat on the floor in the Oriental style
Sheriff HENRY made up his mind that
the charge for chair was really an adj
mission fec. He found an incident in one
play which he was able to class as in
decent" and he discovered an unlicensed
seller Of beer serving the audience. Com
bining these charges against the manager
and his employees the Sheriff arrested
all hands, and thus closed the dramatic
season at this theater.
Before this was done the plays had in
famed the minds of many OF the Japa-
nese about Honolulu against Mkt SAITo
however Sheriff HENRY is quoted by
the Hdrdiidn Star as saying.
There seems TO be determined attempt on tho
mart OF q number OF asitators TO stir UP trouble
among the Japanese, The laborers arc ignorant
men and their feelings easily worked on BY their
far clevcrcr leaders 1t will not take much to stir
IN the laborers 10 the commission OF some overt
act and II this melting is allowed to continue there
may be very serious trouble. Then the people who
get hurt are the poor duped laborcrs themselves
and not the men who have stirred UP their worst
passions. However. we may go higher and get at
those who are responsible for the trouble"
The company which appeared in the
PLAYS is said to have carried four car
loads of new scenery, which indicates
the existence of an angel with long
pocketbook, whether he is politician or
disinterested patron Of the drama
Whoever is backing the company and
whatever his motive may be he at least
has succeeded iii stirring Up two Guveri-
ments by theatrical venture, which in
its way is most unusual success.