Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1913-01-16

Il Just what the conditions prevail
ing at the Jail in Hilo, really are,
Japanese Consul General .Hisakichi
Iterday he sent a wireless to his
| agent in the Hawaii town, demanding
a full investigation Of the charge
!. that a Japanese, awaiting trial, has
fallen victim to beriberi, and that
other Japanese have been worked on
the roads of the Big Island, minus
proper clothing.
The consul general this morning
said that this was the first report
which he had heard concerning the
! conditions in the Hilo Jail. He re-
ceived the information yesterday aft
ernoon and Immediately sent the
telegram in order to find out the
! truth. AS yet, no details have arriv-
! ed at the consulate in answer to the
J message, and Consul Eitake was I'M
| able to talk further on the matter.
During my trip to the Island of
Hawaii about month ago." he said
this morning, 81 heard nothing what
ever that any such conditions existed
in the Hilo Jail, and, as | made no in
yestigation of the Jail myself l can
make no definite statement yet.
have been told that the prisoners
were treated inhumanely, that one of
the Japanese prisoners had died from
beribari, and that the prisoners were
working absolutely naked. The only
reason that l can think of for this
last, if it be true, is that as there are
so many prisoners in the jail there
is not enough clothing to go around.
AS We have no representative in HilO
to report these alleged conditions, if
they exist. ! at once sent telegram
to the officials of that city, in behalf
of the Japanese prisoners in the Jail,
requesting an investigation of the
matter. AS yet, have received no
answer"
In speaking of the alleged death CT
one Of the JaDane5e prisoners from
herbert. the Consul said that, had
there been any death from this dis
east it was probably due to the eating
CT mouldy rice. Many deaths from this
cause, he said. occur i'll Japan at fire.
Quent intervals. AS >tO referring the
matter to Washington in case these
conditions were found to exist in the
Hilo Jail, Mr.. Eitake said that he wGs
not ready to talk on that matter.
The board of health of Honolulu is
planning an investigation Of the mat
ter. DR.. Pratt says that he was sure
that DR.. Bowman, WHO is the chief san
itary inspector at Hiio. is nov making
q thorough investigation Of tho matter,
and also that until the LEGAL board
hears from him they will be unable TO
take any action. The jailer in charge
Of the Hilo Jail has been openly charg-
ed with being responsible for the in
sanitary condition Of the Jail, and that
ordinary precautions in the clearing
Of the place and preparation OF the
food for the prisoners would prevent
beriberi breaking ont. and Il is fur
Their believed that this exposure will
result in the dismissal of the j4iler and
The cleaning up of tho jail.
Officials Unconcerned.
Territorial and federal officials in
Honolulu are not tearing their hair
Ger the conditions alleged to exist
in the jail at hilo. where a case Of
hCri-bPri is said to- lave been disc OlC-
cd recently. Neither arc they ln"iiH-
Ell. at the present time, 10 take an
elastic action or indulge in horrible
Campaign Of official head-cuttinS.