File No. 7423/31–32.
I immediately requested our consul at Kobe to ascertain the facts of this
case, and I have received a reply from him stating that he made inquiry
at the Chinese consulate in Kobe and was informed that the facts as
stated in the Chronicle’s article are correct. The Chinese consul has
now referred the matter to the Chinese legation here. It will be noted
that apparently permission had not been requested for these workmen in
accordance with the ordinance mentioned, perhaps, as suggested in the
article, because as skilled laborers they were not thought to be within
the term “laborers” as used in the ordinance.
[Inclosure.]
[From the
Kobe Chronicle of October 4,
1907.]
chinese labor in japan—an
important point.
The latest development of the Chinese labor question in Japan,
reported in yesterday’s issue, whereby a number of Chinese employed
by Messrs. C. Nickel & Co. at their yard at Takahama, near Kobe,
have been ordered to be deported, raises an interesting and
important point.
On inquiry at Messrs. Nickel’s offices yesterday, it was learned that
the 14 Chinese in question are not coolies, nor even ordinary
laborers, but are skilled workmen, engine builders and fitters,
earnings 1.50 yen each per day without overtime. Their labor is more
expensive than Japanese, but is more reliable and thorough, and they
are regarded as altogether better workmen. Soon after the Chinese
had started work at the Takahama yard, Messrs. Nickel were informed
by the police that the importation of Chinese laborers was contrary
to the provisions of imperial ordinance No. 352 of 1899, and that
the Chinese must be sent back to China. Messrs. Nickel appealed to
Governor Hattori, who referred them to Mr. Uchimura, the chief of
police. Several interviews took place between this official and
representatives of the firm, but no settlement could be arrived at
other than the deportation of the Chinese. The [Page 770] authorities were asked if the
Chinese could remain if arrangements were made for them to live in
Kobe, and travel up and down the line to work every day, but the
reply was in the negative.
It is contended by Messrs. Nickel & Co. that the Chinese employed
by them at Takahama do not come under the heading of “laborers,” as
laid down in the ordinance, seeing that they are all skilled men. We
believe that the Chinese consul at Kobe also takes this view, and
contends, moreover, that the Chinese are entitled to treatment under
the most-favored-nation clause. An appeal has been made to Tokyo, we
understand, by the Chinese consul at Kobe, and pending developments
the Chinese workmen at Takahama are having a holiday at their
employers’ expense.
It certainly seems an anomaly that Chinese tailors, painters,
printers, etc., may follow their avocations without interference in
Kobe, and some even beyond the city limits—at Rokkosan, for
instance—and yet these men at Takahama are refused permission to
work. If the Japanese authorities do not show more toleration to the
stranger within their gates, they have scarcely right to expect it
from others when the positions are reversed.
