STRIKERS ATTACK JAPANESE

Four Orientals, Seeking Employment on Spokane, Are Held Up by Unionists and Flee to City.

Four Japanese sailors, seeking employment on the Steamship Spokane, of the Pacific Coast Steamship Company, scheduled to sail for the North tomorrow, were yesterday assaulted by striking sailors, while attempting to run the gauntlet of non-union men and enter the barricade erected about the piers of the company at the foot of Main Street shortly after 5 o'clock yesterday afternoon.

When assailed by the strikers, the four Japanese leaped from the cab, three fleeing toward Main Street, the other running toward the barricade, which he successfully entered. Pursued by a horde of sailors the three Japanese ran to Main Street. Later one of the men was overtaken by the cab and induced to re-enter the vehicle and make another attempt to reach the Spokane. By this time the strikers had all left the dock and the Jap managed to gain entrance to the wharf.

One of the Japanese claims a striker struck him on the head with his fist. The man was not seriously injured. The assault is thought to have been brought about by the strikers as a result of an alleged attempt on the part of steamship officials to employ Japanese as sailors. During the past few days reports have been received by the union that several Japanese have been employed. Unionists say they do not mind Americans being taken on so much as Orientals.

At the time of the assault yesterday Patrolmen Hulm, Nash and Lockwood were on duty. It is claimed by the officers that the officials of the Pacific Coast Steamship Company instructed them to guard the south gate of the barricade, as a cab was about to approach with a number of Japanese. The officers accordingly did as they were instructed by General Agent McKenzie.

Misunderstanding his orders the driver of the cab turned down Main Street and attempted to enter the north gate. This gate was unprotected at the time. The sailor tore open the door of the can, but the Japs, fearing bodily harm, fled through the other door. The officers say they could not avert the trouble and act in accordance with the instructions given them.

A few nights ago Leo Fernandez, mate of the Santa Cruz, was assaulted and struck on the head with a brick. Officer Lockwood took the man aboard the ship, assisted in dressing his wounds and had him taken to the Wayside Emergency Hospital. Later Nicholas Prago was arrested on being identified by Fernandez as the man who struck him. Fernandez, however, refused to prosecute his assailant and the case was dropped.