The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1909-03-24

WASHINGTON, ID. c.. February p
The following letter was read in Con-
gress during the recent discussion OF
japanese immigration:
Cuatro Cienegas,
Coahuila, Mexico, Feb 2, 1909.
Congressman Hayes,
Fifth California District, Washing
ton, ID. G.
Dear Sir: It was with a great deal
of interest that | read in recent is
sue of the San Francisco Chronicle
an interview with you on the subject
of Japanese immigration. 1t is plea
sure to me and to other Americans in
this country to know that there Is one
Congressman who seems to havea clear
idea of the situation, especially with
regard to the immigration of Japan
csc by way of Mexico. I am in po-
sition to give you a few facts which
will. / feel, be of interest to you and
those who take the same position as
you.
During the last half of 1906, all of
1907, and up till September l, 1908. l
was in the enjoyment of unusual fac
ilities for observing the steady move
ment of Japanese toward the Rio
Grande River from the interior of Me-
xico by one of three lines of travel
leading in that direction. These are
by way Of Ell Paso, by Eagle Pass, and
| by Laredo, the routes, respectively, OF
the Mexican Central the International
Mexicano, and the Mexican National
railroads. What l have to say has
to do with the International route by
way of Ciudad Porfirio Diaz and Eagle
Pass.
During the greater portion of the
period to which 1 refer l was so en-
ployed as to be in a position where It
was impossible for aliens of any kind
going north to escape my observation.
In the case of the Japanese, a great
throng, numbering into the thousands,
at one time and another passed north
along the railroad right of way on
foot. At a point about 60 miles south
of the Rio Grande is another river,
the Sabinas, over which there is but
one bridge, and across which struc-
ture foot travellers must pass as the
stream is not fordable. During the
daytime l was stationed in an office
building about 100 feet from the south
ern entrance to the bridge, and in con-
sequence it was absolutely impossible
for anyone to cross without being
seen by me. At night we had two
watchmen under instructions to per-
init no one to pass Beginning with
October of 1906, groups of Japanese
began passing over this bridge, some
times to the number OF 100 or 200 a
day. They were almost without ex-
lception clad in portions of soldier uni
forms. They seemed to have abun-
dance of money, both Mexican and ia
panese, and there was always one man
who acted the part of an officer and
gave orders to the others, which were
implicitly obeyed. Why men so we'll
supplied with money should choose
to walk instead of taking the train
was a mystery, although at the same
time that they were walking the one
train daily to the north usually car.
ried a good complement of their fell
low-countrymen. OF course those on
the train on landing at Cludad Por-
firio Diaz found themselves at once
: confronted with the United States i'm.
migration inspectors while those or
foot could leave the rail road tracF
} just before entering town and make
their way to some appointed spot fol
crossing the Rio Grande undetected
For many months this stream of ia
panese northward bound continued
and finally, from motives of patriot
ism and thinking that the facts will
regard thereto might be of use to thu
immigration officials of the border,
! communicated with the person il
charge, located at San Antonio, anC
after stating the facts, offered to fur
nish information with regard to thii
remarkable hegira. My offer met will
such a cold reception that I did no
pursue it further.
There were several thousand of thest
men, practically all eX-soldiers, whC
were brought to this country ostens
IDLY to work in the coal mines of Goa
hula. At one time some 1000 wer
landed at a group of mines close to
gether, and within two weeks not on
| was left. All had gone north towart
the river. In one case guards wer
put around the mine property, bu
the Japanese left in the night, al
though they were shot at by thes
| guards.
| In the employ Of the company 70
which l was acting as paymaster wa
a Mexican foreman, and native labo
|! being scarce, he finally persuaded
- number of japanese to take temper
n airy employment under him. This Me
Yican was friendly To me as ha