The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1908-02-03
JAPANESE
WHO co HOME
SAN FRANCISCO PAPER HAS A
STORY THAT THEY ARE WAR
RESERNISTS.

). f. Bulletin--A secret order call
ing on all her army reservists scatter
ed throughout the world to report to
the home government has evidently
been issued by Japan Each ship that
clears for the island empire carries a
large number of sturdy japanese who
are still subject TO a call to the colors.
These passengers are mcommunica-
tive when questioned as to their rea-
son for returning to Nippon. Once in
a while. however, one Of them will re-
ply with the stereotyped honest boy
smile, we have 10 go back home
Recently the Associated Press re-
ported the departure Of athrong OF
Japanese from Vancouver. Now adj
ditiOnal evidence that the Mikado's
government is calling its able-bodied
men home is furnished by the passen-
ger lists of the various steamships
that ply between San Francisco and
the Orient. The Manchuria, which
sailed last week. carried ninety Japa-
nese passengers The Asia, which sail
ed today, had a hundred. Next to de-
part is the Mongolia, and when she
goes all records of home bound Japa-
nese will be broken. Already $50 Of
the little brown men have been book
ed and the ticket agent predicts That
the total will reach 200
Such figures are far ABOVE the nor
NAL, Usually the number Of Japanese
passengers is nine or ten; the total
seldom exceeds a dozen. As rule the
returning voyagers are merchants or
home-sick ranchers, who have made a
little stake and are taking advantage
of an opportunity to visit their kim
folk. 1t is different with the men who
are now going back to Japan. Most
of these men are young and vigorous
Iaborers and house servants. Some or
them have seen service under the sun
rise flag. and practically all of them
are reseryists who may be called into
service by the Emperor at any time.
One Of the recent departures was a
servant employed by Captain Johnson,
a well-knOwn pilot The captain re-
members him simply as George, but
knows that he was soldier in Man
churia during the war with Russia.
George was well pleased with his job
under Captain Johnson, but he sud
denly threw it up and announced that
he was going away. When asked as
to his plans he replied evasiyely Il
have to go back to Japan
While the japanese Government is
suspiciOusly active, the United States
Government is not idle. Word comes
from the Mare Island Navy Yard thai
general cleaning out of japanese
help is in progress. Cooks and Wallets
who owe allegiance to the Mikado are
being given their walking papers and
Chinese are taking their places. This
is in line with the policy adopted by
the United States navy which just be-
fore the departure of the fleet from
the Atlantic coast rid all the ships of
japanese help.
The Japanese Government continues
its professions of good will, but the
declaration Of Viscount Hayashi that
his country is determined to stop the
tide Of laborers that has been flowing
into the United States may have a
double meaning. 1t has been sug-
gested that Japan intends to keep the
laborers at home in order to make sol
diers and iacliies out Of them and have
them ready for instant service in case
her statesmen deem it advisable to
submit to popular clamor for war with
the United States.
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