The Hawaiian gazette., 1909-07-16

Governor Frear yesterday morning
strous of Vladivostok in regard to Rus
sian immigration. Mr.. Perelstrous has
already had meeting with the Board
of Immigration and if suitable agree
ment can be reached he may undertake
to bring several thousand Russian i'm
migrants into this Territory. So far
the project seems to have met with
approval.
Perelstrous is the man who built the
great naval drydocks at Port Arthur
for the Russian government. He also
took prominent part in the construc.
ton of the Transsiberian railway, hav.
ing brought many thousand workmen
from European Russia out to handle
the construction work. In search of
less rigorous climate than that of the
plains of Siberia, he has come to Ha-
wall on a vacation.
Mr.. Perelstrous first became inter
ested in Hawaiian affairs some two
years ago through James Low, brother
in law of Captain Matson and former
manager of Aiea plantation. Low met
the contractor in Vladivostok and dis
cussed with him at length the prob
lens facing Hawaii.
At that time the law was in force
allowing the planters, and Others in
search of labor, to supply money to the
Board of immigration for the purpose
Of bripninu infn ha Tarri.
tory. 1t was thought that possibly
an arrangement might be made with
j. B. Castle to have some Russian set
tiers sent to South Kona.
Low died shortly after, and all me-
gotiatiOns were dropped. Prior to his
death, Low had written about Perel-
strous, saying that he was one of the
most substantial business men and
wealthiest citizens of Vladivostok, and
giving an excellent account of him.
Shortly after this, Congress repealed
the old immigration law and passed the
new one, placing the burden of the
expense of bringing in immigrants upon
the government, and changing the ne
gotiations from private into public
business.
When the Chiyo Maru reached here
last week, among her passengers were
Perelstrous and family. PerelstrOus
had concluded to act on advice given
him by Low some two years ago before
and pay Hawaii a visit, having be-
come satiated with the cold weather
of Vladivostok. He was surprised to
learn that the old immigration law
had been repealed, but called upon
members of the Board of immigration
to discuss the matter with them.
AS a result: of the conversation be.
tween Perelstrous and the Board, an
appointment was made with Governor
Frear. Yesterday the conference was
held. As Mr.. Perelstrous talks Eng
lish but brokenly, the service of Jacob
Kotinsky of the Forestry service were
secured as interpreter.
In the presence of the Governor and
Secretary Mott.Smith, Mr.. Perelstrous
went over the project thoroughly, ask
ing many questions in regard to the
opportunities for Russian immigrants
here, and explaining what he was ready
to do, should conditions prove such that
the bringing in of large colony of
Russians should seem advisable.
Mr.. Perelstrous' high standing in his
own country, as vOuched for by Mr..
Low in his correspondence of two years
ago, lends weight to his statements,
and those who talked with him yester'
day seemed very fayorably impressed.
. PeTelstrous is very anxious TO aseer.
tain what openings there are for i'm
migrants, and what the chances would
be for lucrative employment should the
Russians conclude to come. When ask
ed how many immigrants he could
bring here, no stated that they could
be without number, az he Is right Ia
touch with Russian peasaniTy and able
70 bring amy number here, should no
feel able TO make a favorable report