The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-03-03
il A WA I 7.
Condition and Prospect Of Affairs in the
Sandwich Islands.
Tho New King-His Dynastic Chances and Per-
sonal Habits-How the Democratic Progress
70 e. Republic Was Impedsd-serious
Decline Of the Populatiou-Cabi-
net Organization and the Main
Props Of tho Ministry
HONOLULU, Jan. q, 1873.

HONOLULU, Jan. q, 1878.
Ihave receiveda copy OF brochure just pub
lished IN Honolulu by Captain Walter NJ. Gibson,
20 well known to your readers from 1858 to 1857 for
his imprisonment in Java and his claim against
the Dutch; also for his scheme Of emigrating the
Mormons to the island of New Guinea, which would
have been carried out and would have rid the
United States Of troublesome question, but for
the obstinacy Of President Buchanan. Mr. Gibson
is little critical upon the new order OF affairs In
these islands. He claims, and his friends claim for
the recent election Of King Lunahlo; but the old
religious missionary clique got the inside track after
the battle was ended. f ID .t ....
THE NEW KING
Ia an interesting man, with taste for literature;
bat has rmness Of character political ability
There was certainly an opportunity for republican
Ism or annexation when the late King died. Every
intelligent foreigner feels and says that II an
American man-of-war had been here at the time,
or II the American Minister had not been hoping
for Ministerial portfolio under the new King, o
Republic would have been declared and annexa-
ton would have followed. Public opinion concen-
trated upon LunaltO on account Of his democratic
ROYAL HABITs AND REFORMS.
=, ~ ls settied convlctioh Ia oil mnds mere tnat
came to the islands, with Admiral Pennock, on
board the flagship California, and accompanied by
the Benicia, In the hope that they would find o
state OF affairs that would warrant an interference
and perhaps require military organization
in the interest Of the United States They
came, however, too late-Only to witness the
browning OF the new King. Nevertheless the an
nexationists hope good deal from King LunalilO,
as he Is partial to Americans and easily persuaded.
He was, 1t fs alleged, q notorious drunkard when
Prince, and has wonderfully reformed since his
election as King; but there Is net strong hope
that he will persevere in the reform. II ne should
fall into his old habits the government OF the cOun.
try would be taken ont of his hands. i--
RAPID DECLINE OF THE NATIVE POPULATION.
The decline of the native people Is very rapid.
The recent census shows O decline OF fifteen per
cent in six years. The cause OF the decline is not
disease, but want OF children. or fOrty-six couples
known to the writer only eight have children. Pre-
these islands and inantlcde Is generally practsed
Thrce-fourths OF the present native population are
adults Mr.. Gibson proposes to repeople this archi
pelagO with Japanese, East India Islanders and
other Asiatics. A shipload Of Japanese mm-
grants have proven very desirable acquisition to
the islands.
THE NEW CABINET AND MINISTER'S.
The new Cabinet OfKing LunalilO, composed or
Messrs. Bishop, Hail. Stirling and Judd, gives some
confidence on account OF respectabilty OF POSITION
commenced as q clerk ut 81 o day, has recently
been o successful banker, but he owes his present
position to q native wife.
Mr.. Hall has been q prudent, saving hardware
dealer all his days, and Is o COED economist, and
does not pretend to be politician o statesman.
in the country, and owes his position to the fact
that 1t was considered necessary to have one
Britisher In the Cabinet, anu he was regarded as
quiet, easily managed man.
Mr.. Judd Ia a son OF the missionary, Dr. Judd, and
owes his position TO nothing else but the fact Of his
being Judd.