Honolulu Republican, Volume IV, Number 498, 16 January 1902 — JAPANESE LABOR. [ARTICLE]

JAPANESE LABOR.

Island Empire Decides to keep Its Surplus Out of United States. From the Chicago Chronicle. Japan, seeking the good will of the United States, will henceforth, for as many years as may be necessary, discourage emigration to this coun try. This policy recently decided on by the mikado’s government. has just been manifested by the Japanese ambassador at Washington, who has asked the owners of a large transpacific steamship line not to import several thousand laborers from Japan to work in southern rice fields. The company will consequently refuse a liberal offer made it by southern planters and will likewise refuse similar contracts in the future. Mr. Shiraiski. genera! manager of the Toyo Kisen Kaisba. or Oriental Steamship Company, is at the Annex. He has just come from Washington, where he consulted with the Japanese ambassador, who informed him of the desires of high government officials at Tokio regarding the restriction of emigration Mr. Shiraiski says Japan, unlike China, is willing to keep its surplus laborers at home rather than risk an interruption of its friendly rela tions with th« United States. The Japanese officials take the \ iew that their country owes, in large measure, its progress along modern lines to the inspiration and help of the United States. Commodore Perry’s landing on Japanese shores marked the commencement of the tenniassance in the land and ever since that day the American government has aided the empire in its growth. "As our company has business relations with the home government, we are quite willing to accede to th* government’s wishes in this matter.” said Mr. Shiraiski. "We know the sentiment of your people against oriental labor and do not wish to run counter to that sentiment. Perhaps :.fter the people cf the United States have become better acquainted with the Japanese they will not feel hostile toward them as they do toward the Chinese.