aivvaN V 
 
 THE SITUATION IN HAWAII. 
 
 OCTOBER, 1902. 
 
 BY 
 
 ALEXANDER S. TWOMBLY, D.D., 
 
 NEWTON, MASS. 
 
 r 
 
 ■j 
 
 y- ' • 
 
 Read at the Mohonk Conference, Oct. .2,4, 1^02 
 
 BOSTON, MASS.: 
 
 Fr.\nk Wood, Printer, 352 Washington Street. 
 1902. 
 
Digitized by the Internet Archive 
 in 2016 
 
 https://archive.org/details/situationinhawaiOOtwom 
 
THE SITUATION IN HAWAH. 
 
 It was a wise policy on the part of President Roosevelt to 
 summon Governor Dole to Washington in April of this year. 
 The object was not so much to consider the charges preferred 
 by malcontents against the governor’s administration as to discuss 
 the Hawaiian situation in all its political and economic features. 
 
 The governor was accompanied by a delegation of some of the 
 leaders of the Republican party in Honolulu, and the visit resulted 
 in Mr. Dole’s confirmation as governor for his unexpired term of 
 two years, and in the presentation to the President of a complete 
 statement of affairs in the islands. Attorney-General Knox and 
 other high officials also received the delegation. 
 
 The President is now aware, as never before, that the transfor- 
 mation of Hawaii on correct principles is a serious problem of the 
 United States Government in connection with legislation for all our 
 other outlying dependencies. 
 
 Under early American influences Hawaii had a natural, self- 
 centered, and slow growth. Its new epoch, at the beginning of 
 the twentieth century, is artificial, forced upon it almost wholly by 
 external conditions. Formerly, the group drifted ; now it feels the 
 stress of modern requirements and steers for a conventional harbor. 
 
 Romance died with the extinction of the old chiefs. Modern 
 civilization has suddenly grafted the sprouts of the temperate zone 
 on a semi-tropical stock, which needs special nurture to bear good 
 fruit in this time of its unwonted quickening. Add to these grafts 
 of the better sort the pest of imported human parasites, and the 
 result awakens grave apprehension. 
 
 The United States Government, at this juncture, is called upon 
 to work out in Hawaii some of the most vital questions in state- 
 craft. The islands offer a virgin soil for the solution of these new 
 problems. The task is a complicated and difficult one. 
 
 The ethnic problem comes first. The handful of men and 
 women of real American blood and education, many of them born 
 on the islands, numbers a few thousands. These, with a limited 
 muster roll of other white nationalities, are the nucleus of brains 
 and integrity in the midst of a heterogeneous collection of other 
 varieties of mankind. 
 
 A majority of the present one hundred and fifty thousand inhab- 
 itants are Asiatics, ninety thousand or more. They are alien to our 
 institutions, and, as a whole, are incapable of American citizenship 
 in its true sense. 
 
 The Japanese, about sixty thousand , can come and go freely. 
 
4 
 
 The desire for cheap labor makes them important. Their num- 
 ber will probably not increase. They cannot be imported as 
 coolies under our federal laws, but many arrive, and about as many 
 return annually. While the higher ranks, merchants and educated 
 persons, are progressive, the laborers are slow in the line of advance. 
 Few if any Japanese will desire naturalization, but they are very 
 tenacious of their rights as residents. 
 
 The Portuguese, several thousands, are aggressive, thrifty and 
 superstitious. They have political clubs, and nominate candidates 
 of their own. They are not considered a dangerous element, either 
 socially or politically, although petty misdemeanors are common 
 among them. 
 
 The thirty thousand of pure natives offer only a temporary problem 
 to the statesmen of America. In a few generations they will become 
 extinct. The death rate among them rapidly increases, and few 
 children are born to Hawaiian fathers and mothers. Just now, 
 because they form a majority of legal voters, they are prominently 
 in the field as political opponents of the best white element. They 
 sent the Home Rule leader, Wilcox, to Congress, and control the 
 elections by virtue of superior numbers. Their low average in 
 intelligence is as bad in legislation as a low ?norale. Whether the 
 katiakas can resist bribes and lobbyists remains to be tested. 
 
 Of the part-white Hawaiians much more is expected as citizens, 
 socially and politically, but the life of the pure native, as such, will 
 soon have no place in Hawaii. It lingers in the interior of the 
 islands, with much of its old ignorance and prejudice. It is becom- 
 ing a hybrid, especially in Honolulu, the only large city of the 
 group. It is picturesque, like the scenery and the foliage, but has 
 no inherent persistency in any direction, and acts spasmodically as 
 the politician tickles its sluggish nerve-centers with promises which 
 never can be fulfilled. 
 
 There is in it no basis for radical changes, social or political, but 
 the memory of many droll performances in the last session of the 
 legislature is having its effect even on the kanakas. 
 
 The test for the franchise is now on such a low plane that igno- 
 rance and inability seem to set tbe standard of citizenship. 
 
 Some one has said that “ slavery pickled Southern life and left 
 it just where it found it.” So the false theories of education in 
 the Hawaii of the early century not only pickled but bottled up 
 the Hawaiian-speaking natives. They will not advance, although 
 their limited number of children are now taught English in the 
 schools. A considerable number of the members of the last legis- 
 lation were not familiar with the English language. This made 
 the work of that body abortive, and almost wrecked the Home 
 Rulers as a deliberative assembly. 
 
 The worst element in Hawaii to-day is the low-down American, 
 adventurer or politician. If he has brains, this late comer is the 
 carpet-bagger of the transitionary period, the demagogue in politics, 
 and the disgraceful, dissipated scamp. He has crept even into the 
 
5 
 
 judiciary and other offices. One has just been detected in large 
 peculations. If such men are federal appointees, it is difficult to 
 dislodge them. 
 
 As for the ordinary scalawags, deserters from ships, drinking 
 loafers found in all large cities, professional criminals, men out of 
 work because of shiftlessness or hard times, and the thousand and 
 one “ne’er do weels ” of reckless habits, many come to Hawaii 
 from the States and are American citizens with votes. 
 
 Now', will American farmers, colonists, artisans, respectable new 
 settlers, offset these bad accessions to the electors of the islands? 
 
 It is said that white labor can hardly be introduced into the sugar 
 plantations, even on the co-operative plan. Some such experiments 
 have been tried and have failed. 
 
 On the other hand, a colony from California has completed its 
 second year on a tract of 1,200 acres, and has started peach, 
 orange, and lime orchards. A pineapple company has been re- 
 cently incorporated. Land considei'ed worthless has been made 
 productive. Almost everything will grow in Hawaii. But some 
 think the possibilities of the small farmer are limited. Land in 
 small parcels has become increasingly inaccessible. Capital is 
 needed, which few immigrants can command. Tlie soil of the 
 islands lacks phosphates, which are needed for animals. 
 
 The white farmer has also hard work to compete with the China- 
 man. Therefore Americans of good repute are not expected in 
 large numbers, while the army of American scalawags increases. 
 Honolulu is a sort of eddy for the drift of the Pacific, and the scum 
 accumulates. These irregulars affiliate with the Home Rule party 
 because they have access to the natives, as the higher classes do not. 
 They gain influence over the Hawaiian lower classes by associating 
 freely with them. Their presence, therefore, is demoralizing and 
 a menace to a better social and political situation. 
 
 Such, then, being the ethnic and political status of to-day, Ha- 
 waii as a territory of the United States is in a peculiar situation, in 
 many respects unlike its condition before annexation. It has come 
 to the parting of the ways. In pn©-; direction lies disaster; in the 
 other, if guided aright, it will fivifd,-; prosperity and safety. Let us 
 consider, first, the possibility of disaster. 
 
 Even the appearance of Honolulu is much changed, not wholly 
 for the improvement of its outward aspect or the spectacle of its 
 inhabitants in its streets and on its wharves. Its palm trees wave 
 their graceful fronds and its foliage is resplendent, but it lacks 
 many a charm which the character of its people supplied. 
 
 Annexation was alluring, because it offered a stable government 
 and protection from foreign invasion and interference. It prom- 
 ised permanence to the commercial interests which the reciprocity 
 treaty fostered. But the territorial idea has some drawbacks al- 
 ready apparent. To the federal government it presents unusual 
 phases in Hawaii, never before met in our country’s history. Con- 
 
6 
 
 gress has here a “white man’s burden,” different from that pre- 
 sented by the Philippines, Porto Rico, Cuba, or new territories on 
 our main land. 
 
 To straighten out the just qualifications of citizenship among the 
 mixed inhabitants of Hawaii and the children born to them on the 
 islands will tax not only the honesty but the ingenuity of our states- 
 men. It is a critical time, but it is also a splendid opportunity. 
 
 Its proper acceptance involves all our outlying territorial posses- 
 sions. What is done in the near future in Hawaii must surely 
 affect our policy throughout the Pacific Isles. 
 
 The evolution of Hawaii, with ultimate statehood in the per- 
 spective, will be a basis for the solution of problems now unforeseen 
 but inevitable. 
 
 If false sentiment concerning the decadent native race, or com- 
 mercial greed, or the allowance of undesirable immigration, or, 
 above all, if neglectful indifference destroys the opportunity, then 
 farewell to the hope of a beneficent future. 
 
 Hawaii has not of late been accorded its rightful share of atten- 
 tion, either at Washington or throughout our land. It is almost 
 a back number. Some thoughtless congressmen are reported as 
 saying: “ Hawaiians wanted annexation. Now let them work out • 
 their own destiny. Experience will teach them useful lessons.” 
 
 The Spanish War, to which annexation owes its quicker success, 
 thrust little Hawaii into sudden obscurity. The rapid march of 
 events in the Philippines and China developed what seemed to be 
 far more important issues than the fate of a few fly-specks on the 
 map of the Pacific. Even the trust problem, in its present crucial 
 stage owing to the coal strike, may crowd interest in Hawaii still 
 farther into the background. 
 
 The future condition of this Lilliputian territory, so dependent on 
 present careful treatment, is therefore in imminent peril. Hawaii 
 may be sacrificed in its profoundest interests at any critical moment 
 to save some real or fancied necessity of our nation as a whole. 
 
 Who can tell what may haj^pen in our Oriental policy to make our 
 legislators careless of what happens to these islands.^ 
 
 By and by the small comparaWte productiveness of its soil will 
 count as little when our Southern ^fields augment their semi-tropical 
 crops, and the West Indies yield tenfold more than now under 
 American ownership. Hawaii may be easily undervalued as an 
 industrial factor when our Western deserts are reclaimed by 
 irrigation. 
 
 How readily might it come into the hands of great industrial or 
 commercial pi'omoters ! Independent holdings, small ownerships, 
 giving place to large plantations, may be combined in one great 
 trust, and the worst American practices go on unchecked. 
 
 Besides, Hawaii will sometime reach the limit of its possible 
 population. It can have but two leading cities, Honolulu and 
 Hilo, and these cannot be very large. The immense commerce of 
 America with the Orient will make these cities valuable to the 
 
7 
 
 United States, mainly as fitting and coaling stations. With cable 
 communication, these islands will be treated as points of call and 
 departure, and the welfare of their inhabitants will be of secondary 
 consideration. 
 
 The legislation at Washington, in the hands of some future 
 government, may correspond ; and the fortified harbor, as a place 
 to defend in time of war, will be paramount in the councils of the 
 nation. (I am speaking now only of possible contingencies of 
 which we ought to take notice.) In a few generations is it certain 
 that our Republic will care first for the interests of a million or more 
 of the resident population of Ilaw'aii, — a mixed mass descended 
 from aliens, with a small proportion of genuine American 
 ancestry ? 
 
 Hawaii is not like our own frontier territorial domain. It is not 
 integral but external. When it reaches its limit in population and 
 production, and is arrested in its political representation and 
 importance, its internal affairs and domestic legislation will be 
 subordinated to considerations which may make it the cesspool 
 instead of the paradise of the Pacific. 
 
 This is a pessimistic view, I know, but I speak only of possi- 
 bilities, which in the lapse of time may become realities, unless 
 , Hawaii, now in its incipient stage of transformation, receives the 
 benefit of wise and special and speedy legislation for its future 
 welfare. We cannot shut our eyes, at least to the obvious condi- 
 tions which darken the prospect of the islands at the present time. 
 Take, for example, the fact that the Americans in Hawaii can hardly 
 hope ever to return to the simple, happy social joys and amenities 
 of the past. A society called “The Cousins” made the little 
 colony of Americans a brotherhood of affiliated interests. It is 
 beginning already to lose its inclusiveness and charm. No longer 
 can doors and windows remain unlocked or open through the sweet, 
 tropical, moonlight night. The sneak thief and the burglar are 
 abroad in the land. 
 
 Since annexation the liquor traffic has increased in portentous 
 proportions. The pastor of a Portuguese missionary church in 
 Honolulu reports that ninety-five per cent of the Portuguese, chil- 
 dren and adults, are addicted to the drink habit. The Hawaiian 
 native is fond of stimulants, and regardless of consequences. The 
 Chinaman is an opium smoker, but all other nationalities patronize 
 the saloons, which extend over the whole group. 
 
 The Home Rule government is responsible, for there is revenue 
 in the business. Annexation placed it under the laws of the 
 territorial legislature. The present policy increases the sale of 
 intoxicants. Licenses are freely issued. 
 
 Moreover, the increase of drunkenness and crime follows the 
 obstructions to justice in the courts. Says a leading new'spaper ; 
 “The administration of justice in the First Circuit Court of Honolulu 
 has been of late a byword and a farce. Kvery possible technicality 
 is construed in favor of the criminal. One judge dismissed forty- 
 one and another sixty-nine cases on technical grounds alone.” 
 
8 
 
 A part of this increase of crime arises from the fact that judges 
 who are appointees of the Government at Washington cannot easily 
 be removed. Ther^ is no separate municipal authority. The 
 social evil in Honolulu became so scandalous in an attempt to 
 keep it off the streets that Governor Dole and the high sheriff of 
 the United States Court were obliged to interfere. 
 
 The President’s decision to appoint Mr. De Bolt to the first 
 judgeship of the First Circuit Court marks a new departure at 
 Washington in the matter of judicial nominations. Hereafter 
 some care will be taken with them. Mr. De Bolt has fine 
 qualifications for judge, and, with his colleague. Judge Robinson, 
 may be trusted to redeem the local bench from the disgrace 
 brought upon it by other incumbents. 
 
 As to the financial condition of the group, we may quote a lead- 
 ing Republican journal as authority for the statement that “before 
 the Home Rule legislature met the times were good. Home Rule 
 legislation, however, destroyed confidence; outside capital, an 
 indispensable requisite, was refused. Holding up appropriations 
 to carry on publicadministration and the attempt to' multiply 
 offices threatened he sugar industry. Business was paralyzed. 
 The territory cannot stand another session like the last.’’ That 
 session left a deficit in the treasury very embarrassing to the 
 administration. 
 
 Another recent report declares that “ the cutting off of divi- 
 dends and the shrinkage of values have given Hawaiian securities a 
 black eye in San Francisco.’’ The reason given is that in this 
 transition period “ labor is unsettled. Hawaii has lost its con- 
 tract system. The new laborers are not as efficient. Prices of 
 everything are higher. Equipment is more expensive, and many 
 have lost heavily by the fall in sugar values.’’ 
 
 The political situation has also much to do with this unfortunate 
 condition of affairs. The test for the present franchise in the ter- 
 ritory of Hawaii is now on so low a plane that ignorance and 
 inability are the standard. 
 
 But let us turn now to the hopeful side of the situation. A 
 majority of the best people in Hawaii will not hear of any other. 
 Governor Dole is perhaps among them, having returned from his 
 visit to the States much more sanguine of results. He believes there 
 will be another alignment of parties when the next election comes 
 along. The lack in fulfillment of their promises by the leaders of 
 the opposition last year has cost them their prestige, especially in 
 the outlying districts. 
 
 There are three political parties in Hawaii. The Home Rule polls 
 the largest vote, as the old Royalists and nearly every native vote 
 that ticket. Delegate Wilcox is the leader of that party, but the 
 ex-queen has repudiated him, and he has made himself unpopular 
 with the natives by a bill in Congress to make the leper settle- 
 ment on the island of Molokai a lazar home for all lepers in the 
 United States. Yet he still has a fair hold on the natives. 
 
9 
 
 Then there are the Democrats and the Republicans. There are 
 some good and honest members of the Democratic party, but they 
 have not achieved much thus far. Some have lately gone over to 
 the Home Rule party. 
 
 Prince Kuhio is the candidate of the Republican party as dele- 
 gate to Congress, as opposed to Wilcox. He is the ex-queen’s 
 favorite nephew, and is taken by the Republicans to conciliate the 
 natives. 
 
 But whatever the result of the coming election, the best Hawai- 
 ians rely the most for a turn in their affairs upon the retirement of 
 unworthy judges by the Federal Government and a reform in the 
 judiciary. The authorities at Washington are gradually finding out 
 the character of some of their officials in Hawaii. The commis- 
 sion appointed by Congress and recently sitting in Hawaii, Senators 
 Burton of Kansas, Foster of Washington and Mitchell of Oregon, 
 ought to be able to enlighten our legislators as to the true situation 
 in the islands. 
 
 After all, the main hope of Hawaii lies in that fraction of its 
 population which is composed of able, vigorous and sincere men 
 and women who are ready to sacrifice themselves for the salvation 
 of their native or adopted land. 
 
 All the resources of these tried and true patriots are at the com- 
 mand of the Federal Government, if only they can be upheld by 
 intelligent and honest legislation at Washington. 
 
 What may be achieved by a little leaven of upright and alert 
 men was proved during the existence of the Hawaiian Republic, 
 from the year 1S94 1S98. In its brief life it was one of the very 
 
 best of the independent states on earth. There were absolutely no 
 peculations ; no oppression of the natives ; there was a gradual sup- 
 pression of crime ; the judiciary was above suspicion ; foreign diplo- 
 macy was straightforward and dignified. 
 
 One of the firm Royalists of Oahu, the father of the Princess 
 Kai-u-la-ni, declared to the writer that the men at the head of 
 affairs were of the highest order of integrity and ability. 
 
 In this class of citizens are to-day merchants and planters whose 
 credit abroad is equal to that of any commercial and industrial mag- 
 nates in America. 
 
 This better element is also reinforced by the best of the educated 
 natives and a large number of the part whites. 
 
 If I may add religious purpose to the characteristics above cited 
 without prejudice to the name “missionary” given as a term of 
 reproach, I need only point to the practical philanthropy of Protes- 
 tant and Catholic men and women, and to their active Christian 
 work in behalf of their fellow-men. 
 
 The native ministers and a goodly following of their flocks are 
 loyal to good government. The Catholic priests, who seldom med- 
 dle with politics, do what is possible for the order and morality of 
 their adherents. 
 
 There is a Protestant Board of Missions, unassisted by any aid 
 
lO 
 
 outside the islands, which has disbursed nearly a million of dollars 
 since 1863; one third of this large sum has been spent on the 
 islands of the Southern Seas, and two thirds in work among the 
 nationalities represented in Hawaii. 
 
 A much lai'ger sum has been contributed for the maintenance of 
 churches, native and white, throughout the group. 
 
 There is also a new generation of young Hawaiians, American 
 by birtb, now receiving their education in our American schools 
 and colleges, who return to their native isles full of ambition and 
 hope. Foster their patriotic zeal for the extension in Hawaii of the 
 highest American ideals, and the places now worthily held by their 
 fathers will be equally well filled by tbeir descendants. 
 
 Among other promising resources of Hawaii are the college and 
 the school. The equipment for teaching all the children in the 
 group is complete ; the instruction is in English, and the teachers, 
 many from New England, are capable and zealous. No nation- 
 ality is exempt from compulsory attendance. The system em- 
 braces even the children of the lepers on Alolokai. 
 
 One thing cheers beyond measure all friends everywhere of true 
 progress in Hawaii. It is President Roosevelt’s interest in the 
 islands. The friends of good government and righteous law know 
 that he is a man of loyal nature, whose convictions never allow his 
 acts to lag behind them. 
 
 From him, Hawaii, in this trying transitionary period, expects 
 co-operation in its strenuous efforts to bring the territory, in due 
 time, into the front rank of the republic’s most progressive states. 
 
 If Hawaii shall obtain legislation that will start her great sugar 
 industry upon a career of renewed prosperity ; if she shall obtain 
 legislation that will enable her to retain for local improvement the 
 customs revenues whose export drain her life blood ; if she shall 
 secure payment of the indebtedness incurred by her in using the 
 torch to save her people and the people of the mainland from 
 pestilence, — if she shall obtain any or all of these things she must 
 obtain them from the Republican party, for it is in power in Con- 
 gress and it is there to stay. It is with the voters of Hawaii now 
 to determine with which party they will identify themselves. Will 
 they march forward with the swelling Republican legions? or will 
 they drag backward with the dwindling and retreating forces of 
 Democracy? The choice is with them, and as they choose wisely 
 or unwisely will the destinies of these beautiful islands be affected. 
 
 Considering, then, the changes thus far for better or worse, in 
 that land of sunny skies and surpassing beauty, — and, notwithstand- 
 ing our regret that never will the old days of restful simplicity in 
 living return to that fair heritage of ours beyond the sea, — may we 
 not indulge the hope that all true Americans will unite with those 
 who are striving, as their fathers strove in the past, to make 
 Hawaii a Christian state? 
 
 There are noble hearts in that “gem of the Pacific’’ beating 
 high with confidence in their share of America’s bright destiny, 
 
and who, in spite of present adversity, wait for the time when all 
 men will acknowledge that 
 
 “ He alone is great who, by a life heroic, conquers fate.” 
 
 Dr. Birnie followed. 
 
 Rev. Douglas Putnam Birnie. — I count it high honor to 
 speak to you to-day ; it is a privilege to strive to make the lovers of 
 the Indian friends of the Hawaiian. For the third time, in obedi- 
 ence to the commands of your committee, I am here to speak for 
 the Island Territory, but if word of mine may win your interest in 
 Hawaii, I am content. . . . 
 
 You have listened to the delightful paper of Dr. Twombly, 
 which presents a careful survey of the condition of affairs. In the 
 few minutes which are allotted to me I shall touch briefly upon the 
 political, commercial, and ethical status of the islands, and suggest 
 possible methods of betterment. From the figures which have 
 been given to you this morning you perceive that although the 
 people of Hawaiian blood number only about one fourth of the 
 population, nevertheless, owing to the restriction of the ballot, the 
 political control rests in their hands. The Japanese and Chinese 
 immigrants are not permitted to vote, and the citizens of the white 
 race form a very small portion of the population. The Hawaiian 
 has little capacity for self-government, and Congress has placed the 
 political control in the hands of an ignorant minority. 
 
 It is as though the political control of New York state had been 
 placed in the hands of the Indians, and they had elected a legisla- 
 tive assembly, many members of which could not understand the 
 English language. This is the condition in the territory of Hawaii. 
 No wonder blunders were made. It is the only portion of the 
 United States where men can legally vote who do not understand 
 the English language. 
 
 This makes it possible for a demagogue to say to them, as some 
 have said, “ If you will only vote for me I will see that the Qiieen 
 is restored to her old place with power,” and they believe it. The 
 result has been political unrest. It is the old story of the South and 
 the North. They never voted under the old chiefs; they were not 
 considered capable of voting ; they cannot vote intelligently to-day. 
 There can be no peace under the present condition. 
 
 What can be done.^ I suppose it would be impossible to take 
 the franchise away, though it was unwisely bestowed ; but a law 
 might be passed declaring that no man could hold office who could 
 not read and write English, and that after a certain time no new 
 voters should be enrolled who could not speak the language of our 
 country. Something must be done to restrain and limit the power 
 of the ignorant minority in the Island Territory. 
 
 Take the condition commercially. Times are hard to-day; there 
 is bitter poverty and distress. Before annexation the custom duties 
 
12 
 
 were retained in the islands; now they are sent to Washington. 
 All prices have gone up. Food, clothing, supplies of all sorts must 
 pay the San Francisco price plus the cost of transportation. Our 
 exclusive policy went into effect, and no more Chinese laborers 
 could be imported. The planters sent to Europe and the United 
 States for white labor, but that has failed. They imported Porto 
 Ricans at a high cost, and they have not been a success. They 
 sent for negroes, but they could secure only the poorer quality. 
 The labor market bas not been supplied, and grade of morality 
 has been lowered. The Japanese coolies are not desirable. They 
 drink, are restless, discontented, untruthful', and as laborers are 
 inferior to the Chinese. There is a proposition to introduce a 
 limited number of Chinese to work in the cane fields alone. The 
 Hawaiians will not do this work ; the white man cannot. The 
 Hawaiians make no objection to such importation. If you admit 
 the Chinese to the cane fields you promote the sugar industry, and 
 you aid every skilled white laborer who is in the islands. I see no 
 remedy for the present unfortunate commercial distress but tbe 
 importation of Chinese labor for tbe plantations. You noticed 
 what Governor Taft said. I have known him since we were in 
 Yale together, and he is a conservative, fair-minded man. He 
 suggested that Congress should leave to the Commission to decide 
 whether a certain number of Chinese laborers should be introduced 
 into the Philippine Islands. I think Chinese labor will elevate tbe 
 tone of the community. They are industrious, frugal, law-abiding. 
 They are home lovers. They pay their debts. They drink no 
 liquor. In those tropical countries the man who drinks liquor goes 
 to the wall ; it is only the man who is temperate that lasts. 
 
 The only laborer that can live under the tropical sun and can do 
 the work thoroughly and well is the Chinaman. You need the 
 white man for the higher grades of service and for carrying on the 
 business enterprises of the island, but you must have the Chinese 
 ill the cane field. 
 
 Take the ethical condition of the island. Crime has increased; 
 vice has multiplied. The ballot is in the hands of the ignorant 
 native, and the .demagogue manipulates it. Recent disclosures 
 show corruption among high officials. The treasurer of the Dole 
 Republic was a leading banker of bigb character and ability ; the 
 treasurer of the Territory under the new regime stole a large sum 
 of money, and made good his escape from the country. The 
 Hawaiians of character and intelligence are discouraged. The 
 native churches are in a deplorable condition. Many pastors have 
 entered politics, and are neglecting their proper work. 
 
 For the future, if the present commission will favor the intro- 
 duction of a limited number of Chinese for labor in the cane field, 
 and Congress enact such laws, prosperity will come again to the 
 Islands of Hawaii. The courts should be purified, and men of 
 high character only be named as judges. Some limitation must be 
 placed upon the franchise. With ignorance in legislature and cor- 
 ruption in officials no people can prosper. 
 
13 
 
 We hear it said, “ Hawaii has been annexed ; now let her work 
 out her own salvation.” But Congress has tied the hands of the’ 
 men of intelligence, culture, and high purpose. They are dis- 
 couraged. The difficulties are many. It is as though you should, 
 in one of the boats on the lake before you, place half a dozen 
 children and two strong men. Then tie the men hand and foot; 
 now overturn the boat. Stand upon the wharf, dry and comfortable 
 yourself, and with cheerful voice send the message across the water, 
 “ Save yourselves and the children committed to your care.” 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 Since the Mohonk Conference of October (1902) an election has taken 
 place in Hawaii (November 4), resulting in the success of the Republican 
 party, by a majority of about two thousand. A safe, working majority in 
 both houses of the legislature is secured, with better men, on the average, 
 than those elected two years ago. Prince Kuhio takes the place of Wilcox as 
 the delegate from the territory to Congress. At once there was a feeling of 
 relief, and more confidence both as to good government and the revival in 
 business. The rise in price of sugar in the United States, coming about the 
 same time, added to the hopefulness of the situation. At present there is 
 also a sanguine feeling in regard to proper bills for internal revenue and 
 appropriations; for sound municipal charters and laws, and the regulation 
 of liquor licenses, with other improvements indispensable to good order. 
 
 Now that defaulting officials have been arrested, and several changes made 
 in federal appointments, a brighter prospect opens for an honest and non- 
 partisan exercise of the powers of the Judiciary, especially in legislative 
 affairs. The situation, however, is not yet free from grave possibilities of 
 peril. 
 
 The cable, in working order and giving prompt communication with 
 Washington, will immensely favor the political as well as the commercial 
 interests of the islands. 
 
 The report of the Commissioners appointed by Congress not being given 
 to the public except in a few of its suggestions, it is impossible to say whether 
 its recommendations, as a whole, will be acceptable and beneficial to the 
 llawaiians. In regard to the plan to make the leper settlement on Molokai 
 a lazar house for all sorts and nationalities of leprous suspects and actual 
 lepers in the United States, the wisest and best Hawaiians (with the Hawai- 
 ian lepers themselves) will resist it with all the energy at their command. 
 
 As to the transfer to the Land Office at Washington of the administration 
 of the Hawaiian land laws, without examination by men experienced in titles 
 and with plenty of time for thorough investigation, such a movement would 
 be disastrous in the extreme. The present land laws of the islands may be 
 imperfect and inadequate, but they are a development of more than twenty- 
 five years. They form a complicated system on account of peculiar relations 
 which the natives held toward the old chiefs; for example, in the matter of 
 water privileges and boundary lines. Without the utmost research and care, 
 titles will be irremediably unsettled; especially if theory takes the place of a 
 practical understanding of all the interests and questions involved. 
 
 The limited immigration of Chinese, as laborers on plantations only, con- 
 tinues to increase in its importance to the industrial interests of Hawaii. 
 The Japanese grow more and more independent, and less and less inclined to 
 keep contracts. Within proper restrictions, recommended by such statesmen 
 as Governor Dole, there is no danger of “slavery” in Hawaii any more than 
 in the old system of “apprenticeship” in New England. 
 

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 ••r ■ 
 
 
 AV’' 
 
 
 
 0' , 
 
 #