The Hawaiian gazette., 1917-01-02
RODEuCK 0. MATHESON. EDITOR
Status Of Filipinos In
Haibdii HUi HltlH

IRON every view point the present uncertainty
as to the national and international status OF
the Fiipinos IN Hawaii is most deplorable, ],
The facts are as follows; @@f@.1 my r
About eighteen thousand Filipinos are now rtsi-
dent in this Tersitory. They have come with the
knowledge and specific approval Of the govern
ments at Washington, Manila and Honolulu. g.
The war department istsytrensly desirppsi at
having IA strong national gdard force in Hawaii,
and, in response thereto the territorial government
has within the past year SO, recruited the guard
up from one to four regiments. numbering nearly
1ve thousand men and approximately 200 officers.
IL was soon found that many Filipinos were de-
sirous Of joining the guard. They Are good soldier
material and the suggestion met with the hearty
approval of the war department; in accordance
with which some two thousand Filipinos were en-
listed. they now forming nearly one-haf the en-
listed force These Filipino companies were for
maly recognized by the war department and par
tial equipment issued to them. '... = ~
At this stage the point was raised that in order
TO be member of the national guard, person
must be American citizen, or have taken out
first papers The law was so vague that at first
the department ruled that the Filipinos were eli
gible to join the guard. Later it was ruled that
they were not technically citizens although be-
longing to the United States and that under the
naturalization law they not eligible to become
naturalized. "." ~. IS ., ~
Next in order, Filipino applied for naturalza-
zion before the federal court in Honolulu Judge
Clemens decided that he was eligible, and issued
first papers to him.
On this showing approximately $50 Filipino
members of the guard have taken out their first
papers; the war department has recognized them
and they have, in large part, received their equip
ment Of guns, uniform, etc. -. T.: .-%..G.Nr
Last Saturday another act in this military drama
was placed on the stage Judge Vaughan, a newly
appointed federal judge, rendered decision on the
application of another Filipino, under the same
circumstances incident to the application to Judge
Clemens, and has arrived at conclusion exactly
opposite to that reached by the latter In other
words Judge Vaughan decides that Filipino is
not eligible to become naturalized.
The corollary of this is that Filipino is not
eligible to be member of the national guard
curious fact, bearing upon the situation, is that
the federal government has enlisted and pays 1871
600 troops in the Philippines, who serve under
regular army officers. They are known as the
Philippine Scouts" and philippine Constabu-
larry f sdroaqa Ill.,
1t can be remeded in one Of three ways:
First, by appealing from Judge Vaughan's de-
csion and getting reversal in the upper court ;or
Second, by repeating the law requiring members
Of the National Guard of Hawaii to be citizens; or
Third, by amending the naturalization law, so as
to permit Filipinos to become naturalized.
The easiest simplest and quickest method is the
second above enumerated viz: by enactng a law
by which Filipino may, without becoming natu-
rallied, serve the government by fighting for it as
member ofthe National Guard of Hawaii privi- |
lege which is already accorded him in the navy and
the Philippines. ."..+g ... At.
Which remedy is to be pursued must be decided
by the authorities -. p. -.
Whatever is done should be done promptly so
as to end as speedily as possible most unsats-
factory and unjust condition of affairs
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