As a matter of fact, it now appears that Japan had no hostile plans in sending her immigrants to Hawaii.

While it is true that many of these men were soldiers, it is stated by those who have studied the matter that they were not soldiers in the regular Japanese army, but men who had fought in the war with China.

The enormous strides which Japan has made since the war, and which have roused the admiration of all her sister nations, cannot have been accomplished without changes in the thoughts and habits of the Japanese people.

It seems that the progressive spirit which the war awakened made the Japanese restless; the soldiers who had been serving in the field could not readily settle down to the old ways of life.  They wanted fresh worlds to conquer.

The Government, realizing that something must be done with this restless element, instituted and encouraged the idea of emigration.  There appeared to be a great demand for such people in Hawaii, and therefore the emigration to the Sandwich Islands was commenced.  It would perhaps have been wiser to send the people to the recently acquired island of Formosa, but the march of progress had not yet reached this island, while the Americanized Hawaiian Islands offered inducements which the newly awakened Japanese ambition craved for.

Be that as it may, it now seems certain that there was no more serious motive in sending emigrants to Hawaii than the endeavor of Japan to find occupation for her surplus population.

The determined stand taken by the Hawaiian Government, and the absolute certainty that the United States would uphold it, finally opened the eyes of the Japanese to their mistake.  The minister was recalled after inquiries had been instituted, and the attitude of the Japanese representatives in Hawaii was changed from haughty displeasure to the utmost friendliness.

The outcome of the whole matter has been a pleasantly worded letter from Japan, in which she consents to submit the whole immigration question—­contract, $50, and all—­to arbitration.

It is extremely gratifying to all lovers of peace to find that one more national misunderstanding has been settled without resorting to the horrors and cruelties of war.

* * * * *

News comes that the month of reflection given to the Manchester cotton-workers, before the reduction of wages was to go into effect, has borne good fruit.

Instead of going on strike and causing distress to themselves and disaster to the masters, the workmen have decided to submit the matter to arbitration.

If it is proved to their satisfaction that the masters are really paying higher wages than the state of the business permits, they will submit to the reduction.

They want to be assured that the masters are telling them the truth, and for this no one can blame them.  Five per cent. of their earnings is too much to be given up unless it is absolutely necessary.