New-York tribune., 1873-01-08
THE SANDWICH ISLANDS.
HOW THE ISLANDERS REGARD ANNEXA-
TION

TION.
SOME ACCOUNT OF THEIR HABITS AND FbBLIs6s
THEIR DISPOSITION UNAVOIDABLE TO THH
UNITED STATES.
70 ths Edftor or rhe Trf6Hne
SIR: As some misconceptions seem 20 exist
This country respecting the sandwich Islands, may
be interesting the public in view OF the critical condi
ton OF affairs in that kingdom 20 receive some trust
worthy information the subject The total area OF
the group is 5000 instead OF e0OO square miles. The
population In 1860 about 5000, OF whom less than
10000 are gners counting those Of mixed blood
OF the foreigners something Onehaf Americans
Honolulu has population OF about i2Ooo Most Of the
foreigners reside there and it also the seat OF govern
ment. Thesislands have long been and are now more
than ever interesting Americans holding A. they do
the important position commercially of any OF the
Pacific islands In Of war any foreign power
owning them could sweep American commerce from the
Pacific It Is that they should be regarded
with soictude.
It might be supposed that American influence would
predomnate Of the large number OF Americans
who reside there but tnat IL does in the Government
not fact The United states are regarded with dislike
by many OF the nobility and those in power IL IL true
that some Americans held positions under the Govern
ment, but they had lost American sympathes. mem
ber Of the Legislative Assembly well expressed this feel
ing 1868 by saying during the discussion OF me pro-
posed reciprocity treaty with the United states Ca
npakau mdou ku hdole P that is, We are AFRAID Of
the foreigner" OF America they especially AFRAID
saying when the matter Of annexation Is discussed,
that, should IL their position would be the same as
that OF the Indians they would be gradually e1termi.
mated. Can any deny that such feeling is need
lessl
But sneh feeling exists and controls she nation
"a most undoubted, and should the subject OF annexa
ton be submitted popular vote IL would be over
whelmngiy rejected. In fact II annexation must come,
the people would say: Let 20 TO England" Very
likely the logic OF time will settle the question: and in
favor OF the United States but crowdng now viii AID
that contamination The American policy az Honolulu
should be one OF extreme and canton. Annexar
on was indefinitely postponed when the grave poll
ticians Washington refused 70 agree 70 the treaty oi
reciprocity
Regarding the people and their character only gen
errtion and a half ago they heathens now they
are civilized. The land is covered with schools and
churches Common school education is more general
than in any emil ghtened nations OF Tie World
To find woman who cannot read ana write ls so
strange a. to excite contempt Several newspapers are
edited and published in the original Hawaiian tongue,
and found in the poorest novels al over the
land IL an everyday TO find natives 10 the
backwoods ravely arguing and discussing the questions
which agitate the outside world Presidential election
in the United States much excitement ~ does
their own biennial election Of members Of the Legs
htive Assembly
In fact as 10 general information regarding topics
Of the day. they thoroughly well-inormed people;
and not only upon political questions but upon those Of
science and IL will be then, that annexation
would give class like the liberated slaves of the south
for carpet baggrs to act But they are lazy and
thriftess and the vices Of civilization are rapidly car
rying them of that few years the beautiful and
romantic Islands will know feet out those OF stran-
gers and thelrange legends and tales Of the Wild noun
tain glens and passes will he recIted no longer
In 1852, Kamehameha ILL., with the mobiles and people,
built up constitutional monarchy formed ike hat Of
England. but partakng largely OF the liberal spirit OF
American ideas. In 1884, Kamehameha " who had Just
the throne, having taken the oath 10 the
constitution however called Constitutional Conven-
ton. This call of a revolutionary character and
totally unconstitutional but the people responded by
sending men TO Honolulu who proved resoilte and
determined not to surrender their rights The conyen-
ton was in session months, and was then pro-
rogued suddenly and without warning by the rare
arch who then foisted upon the people Con.
stitution soeaIed, which probably concocted
by part OF the then existing Ministry, a
Mr. Harris being leading member, according 10 pop
ular belief in the islands. He is an American, and
showed his want Of republican spirit by aiding that
hgh-handed proceeding. According TO the Constitution
OF 1882 as well that Of 1854 10 the throne
must be appOinte by the Legislative Assembly, when
King dies withou. naming one. The old Hawaiian Gus
tom arising from anomalous state OF society, traces
descent through the women OF the royal house they
themselves not succeeding the throne but The male
line through them According 10 this, then, the prob
able successor to the throne will be- not the ae Kings
sister, Ruta Keelikolani," but the Prince william
Lunalio who was related the late King through his
mother
Much might be written Of the productions OF he
islands, suffice il TO that for sugar ana cotton
particularly. they unedualed. II pays 10 cultivate
sugar in spite the duties required 20 be paid
at the San Francisco Customhouse. In 1870 the amount
produced was about 10000 and that could be n-
creased at least ye-fod, well every other produe
tion If annexation could only remove the duties Should
the islands be annexed 70 America. those who hold
property might become very wealthy. Ia fact, with
such condition there could hardly be more alluring
aeld for investment than these Islands.
Southern men who manage TO get 100 or 1900 pounds
OF sugar from an acre by hard work viii understand
something about the value of land which will produce,
without exrrcuvation, Of 5000 pounds per
acre. l have known Of instances OF pro-
duction Of over six tuns 70 the acre. IL 10
also an error TO suppose that small farmers
cannot do we such has been proved at the Islands In
many instances. Though but little country, vet SO
fair land rich SOIL such great commercial adVan-
tages 80 salubrous a climate and romantic scenery can
hardly be found on the face OF she earth.
LATE RESIDENT OF HONOLULU.
Ne,o- York, Jan. 8, 1873.
.rrn