Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-11-30
More Than a Local Issue


Chinese of Honolulu and those Caucasians who
are aiding them, openly tacitly, in their efforts
to secure the immigration of 5000 Chinese Iaborers
for the rice-felds of the islands once again have
brought up the coolie.labor issue by their appeals
to the visiting congressional party.
Whether local advocates of this project derived
substantial encouragement from the attitude of the
congressman here is difficult to say. Their appeal
received courteous attention but much more than
courteous attention or qualified promise is needed
before any congressman will seriously advocate
such step. ...... ....-sz s.,~
Whether or not it is wise to add 10000 Oriental
laborers to present population-and there are
plenty of people here who consider such plan abso
lutely unwise-the Chinese exclusion law is not
likely to be modified. This is much more than a
local, territorial question. 1t is international
question. 1t might become grave international
issue.
Japan will not for moment submit without
protest to immigration of Chinese males to Hawaii
when such immigration is denied Japanese males.
If there is any doubt on that point read this from
"The Independent Review" periodical published
In Honolulu by Keikichi Ishda:
The question of Chinese immigration into Hawaii
has made its temperance at this time when the
American legislators have arrived here,
The friends Of the Chinese immigration scheme
seem to be working hard to win the hearts of
gressmen to the way for the Importation of the
Chinese coolies and of the congressman like
ly to be in favor the movement
Whether the new Chinese immigrants to be used,
If admitted here under certain terms for cultiva
ton of the rice fields in order produce rice
for the Japanese, who doubt, the largest ee
ments of relocating community in Hawaii, to be
eventually hired by the planters in to fill
made vacant by the decrease of the number of
the Japanese hands the plantations we do not
know.
Yet, not against the importation of our
friends, Chinese people into the land where
living, provided the Japanese admitted into Ha-
wa freely as before 1908, when the gentemens
agreement brought sudden stop the Japanese immi
grafton to the territory.
We beseeeh the and representatives of the
question not only the standpoint the
cultivation, but the time from the American
Japanese diplomatic relation.
This is the point instantly made by Japanese
editor resident in Hawaii and whose attitude, it
may fairly be stated, is much more inclined to be
sympathetic with local conditions than the attitude
of japanese editors and officials resident in Japan
The scheme to secure the Importation of Chinese
labor NAV secure some substantial backing in Wash
ington under severe war conditions. Those condi-
lions NAV possibly arise here. They have not now
arisen. What legislator of those who left two days
ago declaring that what Hawaii needs is ''morel
Americanization' can expect to secure that ideal
condition through bringing in Chinese labor?
Hawaii has gained great many useful citizens,
sterling businessmen and bright young boys and
girls through its Chinese element. Its in sense
derogatory to their admirable qualities to say that
the territory now has about all the assimilation
problem it can successfully handle