The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1917-03-13
RODERlx Q. MATHRsoE. EDITOR
Chinese Immigration

III
i voluntarily adopted the already existing and
recognized American policy of exclusion of Chi
nese aborers q policy which has ever since con-
tinued in force, &-@
Many times since annexation, the suggestion has
been made that Hawaii try and secure from CON
gress special suspension OF the Chinese exclu-
sion policy @
The matter has even been presented to and dis
cussed with members of congress and of the Wash
ington government--usually while they were visit
ing in Hawaii and plausible-not to say good
arguments presented in support thereof,
These kindly Washington gentlemen have not
infrequently expressed sympathy with the sugges-
ton and offered to support the proposition before
congress
The last move looking towards suspension of the
exclusion policy has been undertaken by the Ha-
waiian Chinese themselves.
We are informed that several members OF con-
gress have encouraged Chinese friends in their
attempt to secure the admission Of say $4,000
laborers. rs ,..
On the strength of this move and information,
it is rumored that the Hawaiian legislature will
be asked to pass resolution in favor Of the pro-
posal; while IT has also been suggested that a
plebiscite be taken on the question.
In the opinion Of The Advertiser the entire pro-
position to suspend the exclusion policy and admit
Chinese laborers into Hawaii in any number or
under any conditions, is chmerical and unwise to
the last degree
1t is utterly impossble
In the first place. the Hawaiian electorate will
not stand for it.
If the question went to vote here it would be
voted down FIVE to one, if it received even that
amount of support.
In the second place, there is no policy OF the
American government more firmly established,
than that it will not permit the further immigra-
ton Of MISUNDERSTANDING, cheap wage Asiatic
laborers, to compete with the laborng population
Of the United States. =" g..
1t is folly to expect that the United States gov
eminent will change this fixed national policy, for
the benefit of few peopleeither citizens or aliens
Living in one small portion of the United States.
The Advertiser desires to call attention to the
fact that regardless of what the Washington gen
tlernen say in Honolulu; or what they may say or
think in Washington, not one of them has ever
publicly advocated any such measure at Wash
ington stltsFtt K @.h. ''#..'' ..
What is more, there is no likelihood that any
prominent member Of the government or congress,
much less majority OF congress, ever will PUBLICLY
advocate such a measure.
In the third place, even though the United States
government were willing, merit, to consider the
proposition, it Is beyond imagination that any per-
mission would be given to Chinese laborers to
enter Hawaii, which would not under like terms
have to be extended to japanese laborers; and if
to Chinese and Japanese, why not to all other
Asiatics? AZ -, .,.'
1t is irritating enough to the japanese that the
policy Of exclusion has been extended to laborers
OF their nationality, even though it is in the form
Of "gentleman's agreement" with them.
To permit Chinese TO come and simultaneously
exclude japanese Of like class, would be direct
slap in the face-an insult which japan would
not and could not with any selrespect, submit to.
The Advertiser submits that the continued agi-
tation of the proposition to suspend the Chinese
exclusion policy even temporarily and as to a
limited number, can never accomplish the desired
object while it continuously strs up hostile feel
ing against us and lays us open to charges which
it is hard to refute.
The proposition is one which should be discour-
aged in every possible way by the Legislature, the
sugar planters and the community in general.