ANTI-JAPANESE RIOTS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3771, 12 September 1907, Page 3

ANTI-JAPANESE RIOTS.

At Vancouver. Japanese Drive Back Whites. London, September 10. Reuter’s correspondent at Victoria, British Columbia, reports that Saturday’s rioting at Vancouver lasted till daylight on Sunda}’. The police were powerless, and appealed to the Japanese to confine themselves to 1 resistance, and not go into the streets. While the police were defending a number of handsome Japanese stores in Powell street against 2000 rioters, hundreds of bricks were thrown, damaging the stores to the extent of thousands of dollars. The Japanese could stand it no longer. Hundreds rushed into the streets, armed with sticks, bottles and knives. Shouting “ Banzai ! ” they cleared the street in five minutes. They followed the fugitive whites up streets. Some of the Japanese fired volleys with pistols, others jabbed the rioters in the faces and bodies with broken bottles. The Japanese women assisted their husbands by supplying them with broken bottles from their homes. When matters were at the worst there were 8000 rioters in the streets.

M. Mishu, director of commercial affairs under the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who is investigating the question of immigration in America, arrived amidst the rioting, but bis carriage reached the consulate safely. Sunday’s issue of the Japanese papers warned the Japanese to prepare for any emergency, as the police were unable to guarantee their protection. The rioting began in Chinatown, in the evening. The police, using their batons, smashed repeatedly into the mob numbering 2000, who proceeded to Powell-street, where they found the Japanese quarters a veritable armed caxup of five blocks of buildings, the Japanese parading the front with clubs, revolvers and long knives, and threatening to use bombs if attacked.

The mob being dispersed, Mayor Bethune arranged to suppress the Anti-Asiatic League’s meeting announced for Thursday.

The Japanese Consul states that the windows ot 56 Japanese establishments in Powell-street were destioyed. The occupants’ claims will be presented to the city forthwith. He has cabled to the Japanese embassy in London particulars of the riot, and declares he regards the incident as of much more importance than the San Francisco trouble.

Mayor Bethune declares that the city will not pay any damages. M. Nosse, Japanese consul at Ottawa, and Sir Wilfred Laurier informally discussed the rioting. It is understood that Canada will make reparation. Meanwhile negotiations to restrict Japanese immigration continue. The London “Morning Post” and “Daily Express,” discussing the riots, agree in contending that Japan is ready to listen to reasonable arguments based on purely economic grounds, and would recognise the right of other nations to secure their labouring classes from unregulated competition. Vancouver, September 10.

All the Chinese domestics and mill hands at Vancouver have struck as a protest against their treatment. They purchased hundreds ot pistols, and the Sale of arms has now been prohibited. Ottawa, September 10. The Canadian newspapers unanimously condemn the riots. London, September 10. The New York correspondent ot the Times says the whole trouble ou the Pacific coast is traceable to Irish Labour leaders. The Times’ Ottawa correspondent says it is an unfortunate agitation, fomented by one or two members of the Dominion House for political purposes. Some 30 Bellingham men organised Saturday’s demonstration, and the effigy of the Hon. J. Dunsmuir, the Lieut.-Governor of British Columbia, was burnt. The newspapers of London recognise the gravity of the outbreak and the necessity for grappling with the problem before immigration assumes larger dimensions. They acknowledge that Canada is in a better position than Washington to act firmly, as the Dominion provinces do not possess extreme State laws which in California’s case hamper the central Government. Ottawa, September. 10. Sir Wilfred Lauder telegraphed to Mr Bethune that “Earl Gray learned with regret the indignities and cruelties whereof certain subjects of the Emperor of Japan, the King’s friend and ally, were victims, and hopes that peace, will promptly be restored and all offenders punished. For Bronchial Coughs take Woods Great Peppemint Cure. Is 6d. and Is 6d. Why suffer the awful agony of rheumatism, gout, lumbago, sciatica, and kindred diseases. Eheumo if given a fair trial will quickly cure you. Sold at 2/6 and 4/6. J

For continuation of Reading Matter see page 4.