Mr. Mill to Mr.
Takahira.
Department of State,
Washington, May 27,
1901.
No. 28.]Sir: Referring to your note verbale of the 30th
ultimo, regarding the deportation from Seattle, State of Washington, of
two parties of Japanese immigrants arriving at that place on March 15
and 17 last, respectively, I have the honor to inclose herewith for your
information a copy of a letter and inclosure received by the
Commissioner-General of Immigration from the special deputy collector of
customs at Port Townsend, Wash, containing reports on the subject.
These reports were communicated to the Department by the Secretary of the
Treasury, with his letter of the 20th instant.
Accept, etc.,
David J. Hill,
Acting Secretary.
[Inclosure.]
Special deputy collector of
customs at Port Townsend, Wash., to the Commissioner-General of
Immigration.
Office of the Collector of Customs,
District of
Puget Sound,
Port of Port
Townsend, Wash., May
14, 1901.
Sir: I have the honor to return herewith a
communication from the Department of State under date of the 2d
instant and a copy of the note verbale of the Japanese minister
therein inclosed complaining of the deportation from Seattle of two
parties of Japanese immigrants arriving at that place on March 15
and 17, respectively, referred to this office for report and return.
Replying thereto I beg to state that the examination of these
immigrants was conducted in an impartial manner in strict accordance
with the immigration laws and regulations. No appeal was taken from
the decision of the board of inquiry refusing them admission, and
they were fully informed of their right to appeal under the law.
In regard to their detention in jail, pending the decision of the
board of inquiry, the jail was simply used as a lodging house and no
greater restraint was placed on them there than at any other place,
as they were certainly not entitled to be at large until landed, and
the jail was a more desirable place of detention, in view of the
inclemency of the weather at that season of the year, than an
exposed steamship dock. They were comfortably housed and cared for,
and at no time were they associated or confined with any convicted
prisoners. A communication of the sheriff of King County in regard
to the matter, addressed to Immigrant Inspector Lavin, under date of
the 11th instant, is respectfully transmitted herewith.
Respectfully,
Henry Blackwood,
Special Deputy
Collector.
[Subinclosure.]
Mr. Cudihee,
sheriff, to Mr. Lavin, immigrant
inspector.
Sheriff’s Office,
King
County, Wash., Seattle, May
11, 1901.
Dear Sir: In regard to the complaint of the
Japanese minister concerning confinement of Japanese immigrants in
jail at Seattle, beginning March 15 and 17, 1901, I desire to state
that there were 24 Japanese immigrants in my custody during the time
mentioned.
Sixteen of them were kept in the apartment in the county jail where
prisoners awaiting trial are held. This apartment is spacious and
clean; each cell in it has a closet, two hammocks and blankets for
same, and is heated by steam.
[Page 369]
The eight other immigrants were kept in the hospital ward or
apartment where prisoners awaiting trial and in delicate health are
held. This room is large and clean and is supplied with a cot and
blankets for each occupant, and has good water and closets.
At no time were any of the immigrants associated or confined with any
convicted prisoner.
Yours, respectfully,
Edward Cudihee,
Sheriff of King County,
Wash.
