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so scarce that it was difficult to borrow even small sums upon good security, while business had stagnated to such a degree that general bankruptcy seemed imminent. It has been realised by this time that the part taken by Mr. Stevens, the United States Minister, had not been an arbitrary assumption of power, but a measure of public safety. The Hawaiian Government had not been absolutely dissolved nor its authority set aside. When the American flag was hoisted over the Government buildings, the United States men-of-war saluted not only their own colours, but the Hawaiian flag as well, which continued to float from its flag-staff in the grounds. And when Captain Swinburne, in command of the marines which were landed, was questioned, his reply was:

"My orders are to protect the Legation, the Consulate, and the lives and property of American citizens, and to assist in preserving order. I do not know how to interpret that; I can do it in but one way. If the Queen calls upon me to preserve order I am going to do it."

This disposes entirely of the charge that the Revolution was premeditated and the Queen dethroned by the aid of United States troops. Japan at once dispatched the Naniwa to protect the interests of the thousands of Japanese labourers in the Islands, who are employed in the cane fields on the sugar plantations.

1893-1

THE LABOUR SYSTEM.

87

At the time of the Revolution the planters were dependent upon the contract labour system. The Japanese Government received a certain sum for every man permitted to leave the empire a pretty substantial source of revenue when the number increased, as it did steadily. A strict account was kept of each labourer furnished. When the men arrived in Honolulu, they were selected by their employers and taken to the plantations on the other islands. Each man received $15 a month, a house, fuel, water, and free medical attendance. Women received $13 per month, and were employed chiefly in the mills as "feeders."

Opponents of the system condemned it without reservation, declaring it to be but little improvement upon negro slavery as it prevailed in the Southern States before the war. There was, in reality, a very great difference, with all the advantage in favour of the Japanese field-hand. He could return to his native country at the expiration of his three years' period of service; he could not be separated from his family; no species of force was permitted on the part of the planters, who, if they so much as laid a finger upon one obstreperous cane-stripper, could be fined for assault; and, in such instances, it was a rare thing for the verdict to be given for the defendant. With the warm climate, but little fire or clothing was required; the labourer had always his garden, and lived largely upon rice, which is very cheap; upon what he raised, and upon

wild bananas, that could be had in the forests for the gathering. A careful system of book-keeping was carried on at the Japanese Consulate in Honolulu, where his savings were deposited, and an account was kept of the sum due him, which was paid him, with interest at the rate of four per cent., at the end of the three years. The Japanese was frugal and temperate, and it rarely happened that he returned to Japan empty-handed. Instead of regarding it as a sort of bondage, the Japanese labourer was glad to go to Hawaii, where he could live comfortably and cheaply, and his Government was willing to profit by his temporary absence.

The system being made one of the objections to annexation by many Americans - the employment of contract labour being prohibited by law in the United States-the unwillingness of the Hawaiian Republic to allow unlimited Japanese immigration led to a collision with Japan. There has been, however, very grave reason for resisting Oriental encroachments. Immigration increased subsequently at an alarming rate. The Hon. L. A. Thurston states that in 1896 and the early part of 1897 immigrants arrived at the rate of two thousand a month, and that in 1896 the adult Japanese males outnumbered those of any other nationality. He states further, that, at this rate, in one year "they would have numbered one-half the population," and in five years "would have outnumbered all the other inhab

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