The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1917-01-05

JTHAT there should be degree of satisfaction
| i in the latest decision of the federal district
court that closes the door of American citizenship
70 Filipinos is natural considering that there are
eighteen thousand Filipinos in the Territory, at
least ten thousand of whom could fulfil the gen
eral requirements Of the naturalization court. But
that there are those who are opposed to the pres
ence IL the Filipinos in the national guard, or
opposed to legislation enabling the Filipinos to
remain in the guard, despite their lack Of complete
american citizenship Is surprising. Those who
announce such opposition fail to show themselves
as friends of the militia, an establishment which
| in every way reflects credit upon Hawaii.
| The decision Of Judge Vaughan, unless some
move be made to counteract it legslatively,
will result in wipng out one-hfth, at least, of the
infantry strength of the guard, while the general
effect upon that organization will be much fur
Their reaching. Some of the regiments, if not all
of them will be depleted to such extent If the
FiipinosN must leave that their regimental status
will be endangered Below regulation strength
they will not be officially recognized by the war
department as regiments and without that recogni-
ton there will be neither federal pay for the men
| nor money for the regimental upkeep. Instead of
each island having its own regiment, we may
have,to go back to the old plan, whereby regiments
were divided, some companies on one island, some
on another. Etss .3"4 ...>.*l.
| To be frank about it, the Filipino recruits on the
various islands have enabled the Hawaiian Brig
ade to come into being The Hawaiians have not
volunteered in sufficient numbers to bring this
about, while the haoles have not been able to
keep intact more than three companies in all. The
war department favors the enlistment of Filipinos
or did, SO long as the decision of Judge Clemens
stood as the precedent--and the local national
guard headquarters favored such enlistments the
Filipinos having shown themselves eager recruits
and willing soldiers r1t
| The naval regulations now permit the enlistment
of Filipinos in the navy the army regulations
permit the enlistment of Filipinos under the flag
in the constabulary and scouts, both American
CARNATIONS. No precedents would be broken by
SO legisatng that they could remain in the nat
ional guard OF these islands. &#.st. Gtt "
| To make such an exception in their favor would
not be to throw down the bars to aliens. A Fill
Pine is, speaking broadly; not an alien. He is
citizen OF country over which flies the Stars and
Stripes, and to that flag today he owes and pays
Allegiance. The immigration law does not look
upon him as an alien, why should the law govern
ing enlistment in the militia ..., 49,.
There is reason to believe that suggestion from
here regarding the matter would secure. the war
departments approval of bill in4oongress permits
ting Filipinos in Hawaii to be enlisted under the
terms of the new federal oath. <"%
About the only good reason why the local egis-
Iature should not amend its Militia Act would be
that the members do not approve of the presence
in the ranks of the guard Of Filipino members and
there is no good reason why that approval should
be withheld so long the American" citizens of
the Territory cannot supply from amongst them
selves the men to keep the national guard reg-
ments up to war department requirement strength.
| 1t is quite remarkable that Hawas Governor
should be so tender-hearted towards convicted
criminals and still regard homesteaders as beyond
the pale. Rob bank, forge, commit arson, deadly
assaults, homicide or rape-and the Governor will
pardon or parole--but with small farmers it is diff
fetent, durn the pesky critters.
| .&. *****
| 1t is reported that Governor Pinkham is to be-
come Ocampo's sponsor in appeal to higher
court in regard to his application for citizenship.
Before the Governor gets too deep into the matter
however, he wants to make himself sure that
Qcampo is fit for citizenship, irrespective of his
Filipino blood.
AS as someone in Hawaii breaks law
someone else arises to denounce the law and ex-
plain why it should be disregarded The majesty
OF the law can always be upheld, OF course, by fin
ing the driver of pake Sw wagon who disre-
CARDS the rules OF the road.
**h**
Our Delegate is on the job this time all right
1t is his plan, if the navy department does not
rise to the occasion OF its own accord and name
warship Hawaii" to have a law passed and make
Mr. Josephus do the right thing.
- 4 +
f. B. Bridgewater is now editor Of the Hawaii
Post, which ACCOUNTS for the improvement in that
publication. Mr. Wake, who did not approve of
the Honolulu style" of journalism, has gone back
to milking cows.
$50 Il h