note verbale.

According to the information brought to the attention of Japanese minister by Mr. Shimiza, His Imperial Japanese Majesty’s consul at Vancouver, it appears that a party consisting of 13 Japanese subjects, [Page 367] who started from Victoria on the 15th of March last for Seattle, State of Washington, arriving there on the following day, was refused landing at the latter port, and after having been imprisoned in a jail from the day of arrival until their reembarkation finally ordered to be deported on board the vessel which had carried them thither to the place whence they came. It was not disputed in any way that every one of the Japanese was in good physical condition, holding a health certificate prepared by a licensed physician just before his departure, and being in bona fide possession of the amount of money required by law; and the only ground for the refusal of his landing and subsequent deportation seems to be that he would be unable to support himself. Another group of Japanese subjects of 7 in number who arrived at Seattle from Vancouver on the 17th of the same month met the same fate, receiving exactly similar treatment. The consul adds that upon an examination of the persons concerned, which was conducted at the consulate after their deportation, they were all found well clad, robust, and of sound mind.

In view of the foregoing facts, the Japanese minister begs leave to say that these Japanese subjects having possessed the necessary qualifications and fulfilled all conditions requirid by law, he is at a loss to find the reason why they should have been refused landing, inasmuch as no more qualifications or conditions, by virtue of the treaty between the two countries, are to be imposed on the Japanese subjects than those required of other alien citizens or subjects for landing at the United States ports; and even admitting that the Japanese now under consideration were refused to land at the port for the lack of certain qualifications or conditions to meet the requirements of law, he can not perceive any reason for the restriction of personal liberty imposed upon them without due process of law by confining them in a jail, where, according to a statement made by some of them, they were compelled to share company in the same apartment with certain convicts under the sentence of imprisonment.

Under these circumstances the Japanese minister has the honor to request that the honorable the Secretary of State will have the goodness to cause investigations to be made upon the matter to the end that proper measures may be taken should the facts reported be found correct.