THE DAILY PROVINCE
NOVEMBER 26, 1907

p.1

MORIKAWA WILL NOT TESTIFY AT
THE COMMISION[Sic]
------------------But Agrees To Give All Information Privately to Mr.
King

------------------INQUIRY SOON TO CLOSE
------------------Fishery Inspector Sword Discussed Seine Question
This Morning

------------------With the examination to-morrow of heads of local Japanese employment
agencies, followed on Thursday with the climax, the examination of Mr. Gotoh
of the Canadian Nippon Company, Commissioner King will close his
immigration inquiry.
The superintendents of the railways will not be called nor will Mr. C.
Gardiner Johnson nor his felow director, Mr. Bouitbee of the Canadian Nippon
Company. Nor will Hon. K. Morikawa the Japanese consul, likely appear to
explain before the commission his part in the “Kumeric and the canvas bag.”
So far as can be learned this is regarded not only by the Commissioner
and counsel but also by Mr. Morikawa as merely a side issue having no direct
connection with the subject of the inquiry--the methods by which Japanese or
other Asiatics are being brought into this country.
Holding this view, it is understood that Mr. Morikawa will not appear
before the inquiry to make an explanation, although it is stated that he has
expressed his willingness to make any explanation to the Commissioner in
private of any mater[Sic] arising out of the inquiry.

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NOVEMBER 26, 1907

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It is not the desire of the Commissioner to make it anything but
voluntary with the Japanese consul to appear and it is well understood that in
no case can a consul be subpoenaed, even if that were desired, a consul in
Canada having the same rights as an ambassador.
Closing the Inquiry.
At this morning’s session the commissioner examined Fishery Inspector
Sword, the interpreter, Mr. Snee, and three Hindus, during which the
commissioner said in effect:
“I do not think it is necessary to further pursue the Hindu or Chinese
phases of the inquiry, and regarding the Japanese I think when we have
examined the heads of some of the local employment companies, followed by
the examination of Mr. Gotoh of the Canadian Nippon Company, we shall have
sufficient to make the evidence conclusive as to the methods employed in
bringing Japanese to this country. If Mr. Gotoh tells the straight story as I
think he will, we will have enough. If he does not--well, I think I have the
necessary documents with which to confront him. I do not think that the
superintendents of the railways, nor Mr. Johnson, nor Mr. Boultbee can add
anything of importance, although I am willing to call them if it is desired.
Mr. Wilson--in that view I do not press for their examination.
President Von Rhein and Mr. Harry Cowan, again present this morning,
were given the privileges of adding to the testimony.
Mr. Von Rhein--Beyond the Kumeric affair I have nothing particular I
could add.
The Commissioner--That I regard as a side issue.
Mr. Von Rhein--And I agree
West Seine Fishing.
Fishery Inspector Sword called to explain the sub-leasing of seine
fishing rights to Japanese, stated at the outset that the licensee, if Japanese,

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NOVEMBER 26, 1907

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only brought his naturalization papers, which only bore his name and was not
a means of identification.
The Commissioner--Have you any reason to believe there is
personation?
Mr. Sword--Not to any great extent.
Mr. Wilson--What proportion of fishermen are Japanese?
“I couldn’t say.”
Mr. Wilson--Three years’ residence is required before naturalization
papers may issue. Do you think that is always observed before the papers are
issued?
Mr. Sword--There may be some cases where they get them before the
end of that period.
The Commissioner--Do you know what a Japanese fisherman earns a
day or a year?
“I do not. I know there are more patient fishermen than white men.
They’ll fish whether they make catches or not. (Laughter.)
Mr. Wilson--Do you know whether any of them are under contract or
agreement with holders of seining licenses.
Mr. Sword’s reply, indistinctly heard, was to the effect that sub-leasing
of seining licenses was not allowed.
“But the holder of such a license might enter into a contract or
agreement with a Japanese to do the work in spite of that?” inquired Mr.
Wilson.
Mr. Sword--I suppose it might be done. They have been evaded. But
there is a provision in the license for its cancellation for violation.
Foreign to Commission.

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NOVEMBER 26, 1907

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“This is all interesting.” smiled the Commissioner, “but I really do not
see what it has to do with the subject of the inquiry--the methods by which
Asiatics are brought into Canada.
Mr. Wilson closed by reading a little list of the Japanese employed on the
Fraser River from 1892 to this year.
“Can you verify these figures: 1892, one Japanese, 1893, twelve: 1904,
three hundred and 1907, three thousand.
Mr. Sword- I have no record of my own and would rather not, therefore,
give a mere opinion on the subject.
Mr. Wilson- While waiting for witnesses, might it not be as well to
telephone for Mr. C. Gardiner-Johnston and Mr. Boultbee of the CanadianNippon Company?
The Commissioner-I hardly think they can add anything of importance
to the information I have already secured. I feel that this is already sufficient
when it is brought out here as it will be to-morrow or Thursday.
Mr. Wilson- in that case I will not press for their examination.
The Commissioner-I think I will call the heads of several local
employment agencies to-morrow and have Mr. Gotoh of the Canadian-Nippon
Co., on Thursday. I think we will have enough, I do not wish to prolong the
inquiry unnecessarily and desire to conclude it this week.
Gotoh or Documents Will Tell.
Then the Commissioner made this significant addition:
“If Mr. Gotoh tells a straight story, as I think he will, I think we will have
sufficient to make the evidence absolutely conclusive as to the methods
adopted in bringing Japanese here. If he doesn’t tell it-well, I think I have the
documents with which to confront him.
Was King of Hindus.

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NOVEMBER 26, 1907

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Mr. W. P. Snee, the interpreter for the C. P. R. for the past two years and
familiar with the Hindu and his Eastern ways, told of Dr. Davichand’s part in
the rule of the Hindus, during the doctor’s reign of over a year.
“He seemed to be their ruler while here. Knowing the country and being
able to speak English, he took advantage of his ignorant fellow-countrymen.
He would go to a mill and inquire if they wanted men and he would supply
them, charging the men $5 each for getting them the position, and made them
give him $1 a month out of their wages. ”
“How many do you think he controlled?”
“Between three hundred and four hundred.”
Speaking of the Hindu invasion of the United States, Mr. Snee said:
“They make Vancouver a clearinghouse for the United States.”
Mr. Wilson--Why?
“It is easier to get into the United States from Canada than to enter it
direct. Not long ago out of 150 who tried to get into the United States at San
Francisco, only about ten were landed. They do not want them there and do
not accept at their ports men with little money but physically sound as we
allow them to enter here. The Hindus who have gone down to California have
written to their friends here to enter the United States over the border, and
not try it at the ports.”
Of the Hindus arriving here Mr. Snee thought about 70 per cent of them
try to enter the United States, and of those who pass the Dominion
Immigration agents only 65 per cent succeed in passing the United States
immigration officers.
Mr. Wilson--That is not because they are physically unfit?
Mr. Snee--No; it is because the United States immigration laws are more
exacting.

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NOVEMBER 26, 1907

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Mr. Snee added that he knew of no company behind the influx of Hindus.
Their coming was due to the glowing letters of their friends, and the
prosperity of British Columbia.
A Singh and Two Rahms.
Nursie Singh said in his native way, Davischand sent me my ticket to
come out here. I worked and paid him back, I paid my own fare to Hongkong.
He pay for me from there $50. That I pay back and no more. He married my
daughter. I only know of two other cases in which Davischand pay passage. I
have been here little over a year, and have made about $120, I make $1.25 a
day now. Two months ago I made $1.50 a day.”
“Why did they cut your wages?
“I don’t know.”
“Why so many Hindus coming to this country?”
“I don’t know, I not ask them why they come.”
“How long do you expect to remain here?”
“If I die I remain long time. If not I go back in year or two.”
Two Rahms gave similar evidence. One is the nephew of the distant
doctor. He is also employed at the Fraser River Mill, where he received $2 a
day as interpreter. He also keeps a store at Millside. Though speaking English
well he could add little to what had been given by the first Rahm.
The Commissioner--Some tell me that you charge $1 a month from
those for whom you get positions?
“No, I do not. I get them positions sometimes, but I charge no positions.
They get their supplies from me.”