The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1912-01-02


over most of the planters would much
prefer the Oriental-who is docile and
industrious and who cannot become a
citizen and voter. More than all else.
however, it is very difficult to keep the
imported white workers. Many of the
Portuguese immigrants brought to Ha-
wall at large expense remain only long
enough to save little money and then
fly TO California, where the air is freer.
One of the underlying ideas of the
planters in supporting the really sin
cere work of the government immigra-
ton bureau in attempting TO bring in
white peasants from Europe is frankly
to meet the now overwhelming Japan
csc element with many other diverse
peoples, with diverse customs and
prejudices A strike OF Japanese
workmen on several plantations two
years ago caused the Planters Assoc
citation to see great light in this con-
nection. A population having no com.
mon language, no common ambitions.
and being fierce competitors in the Ia
Dor market, is difficult to organize, and
therefore becomes more unlikely that
there can be any concerted movement
that would tend to disturb conditions
or shake the control of the small and
closely associated and interrelated
group of white men Who dominate the
islands. They approve the wisdom OF
Napoleon's motto, Divide and you
dominate"
Thus while there is a complete mo-
nopolistic organization OF the employ
ing interests of the islands, the aim is
to perpetuate and maintain the condi-
tions of tiercest competition in the la.
Dor market The more the planters
interests can keep the workers strug-
Cling and fighting among themselves
for places to work, the larger the
profits of the business.
There is nothing in which the Plant
ers' Association acts With greater pre-,
cision than in it's labor policy. II pre-
scribes a standard of payment for la
Dor, and it prevents any bidding of one
plantation for the laborers of another
plantation. If there is any disturbance
anywhere the entire force of the mon
led interests of the islands is pre-,
pared to pounce upon it and crush it,.
Two years or more ago the Japanese
on the island of Oahu organized and
struck One of their chief demands
was that they be paid as much daily
in wages as Portuguese were paid for
exactly the same work. Several of the
ablest managers in the islands de-
clared that this was merely justice and
urged that the demand of the Japanese
lie acceded to, but the Planters Asso-
citation would not consent. The lead
ers of the strike were educated Jap
anese. not employed on the planta-
tions, one of them Mr.. Sega, being the
editor of a popular Japanese news
paper in Honolulu, and although the
strike was well conducted, with singu-
lar intelligence in the preparation Of
its demands and with almost no vic
lence of any kind, the leaders were all
arrested and thrown inJo Jail. Not
only this, but the planters, having the
law wholly in their own hands, pur-
sued drastic, and high-handed course
Without search warrants or any legal
right whatsoever, they broke into the
offices of the strike leaders-even
forcing open safes in search of incrim-
mating evidence - which was not
found. The Supreme Court of the
island, even while confirming the inn
prisonment of the strike leaders, said
of this violence by the planters at
torneys, -, --
There were papers taken, from the
office of the defendant, Negoro, with
out process of law and forcibly.'
Unwilling to pay more wages to
keep their laborers, the planters are
thus using their control of the ma
chinery of the law to force the la
borers to remain. How does this diff
fer in principle from serfdom?
But it would not be fair to present
only these methods of legal force, for