Turned Back for Being Penniless: The $50 Wall at Seattle's Dock

The arrivals of Japanese in Washington have been frequent for many months past, but the steamer Thistle a fortnight ago brought fifty-six men and six women, all of whom, with the exception of two men, were allowed to land after inspection and left for their destination.

The party arrived at Vancouver on the Empress of Japan and were there transferred to the Thistle after having been inspected by the health officer and the United States immigration inspector.

When the Thistle arrived here Monday, Collector Saunders, who was in the city, entered and cleared her, and then Special Agent Schuyler and Inspector Loffia took charge of the Japanese. Under the immigration law every alien coming into the United States must have at least $50. Five of the Japanese and the five women, who, the men claimed, were their wives, had the requisite sum, but the others did not. The majority alleged, however, that they had had the money at Vancouver but had spent it. The money was in their possession, they said, at the time they were inspected. There were only two in the party who were penniless; one told the officers he had given his money to a partner, and the other said it was in the possession of his brother. The rest were allowed to land, but the two penniless ones were sent back to Victoria on the Thistle, which left here at midnight on Monday.

The party which landed were all well dressed, and several of them had a good command of the English language. A few had been in the United States before and returned to Japan.