The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1877-09-01

the Court, and all the other inhabited islands OF
the group to the leeward and to the windward.
When we consider the enormous length OF
several of the cables at present resting on the
bed of old ocean, the united length OF all the
separate bits Of submarine cable which we would
require for our inter-island Acknowledgements
communication dwindles into insignlhcance.
But, on the other hand, the condition of our
exchequer, as compared with that of other more
populous nations, very naturally reminds US that
the laying down of even these bits of submarine
cables would be a heavy drain on our resources.
Great rivers, it should be remembered, take their
rise from small streams. and a beginning might
be made with the twenty-five or thirty miles OF
cable required to unite Oahu with Maui, our
next nelghbor-as our Maui correspondent very
sensibly suggests. 1t must not be forgotten that
these cables are calculated to pay very hand
somely, and We have no doubt that the yearly
receipts would return a high rate of interest on
the first cost. We think, then, that our Minis
try can not do better than to give the question of
inter-island electro-telegraphic communication
some serious attention. now that they have SO
successfully and efficiently set on foot an i'm
proved system of steam communication between
the several islands of the Hawaiian Kingdom.
We notice one or two very sensible remarks
from the pen of our Makawao correspondent.
Although all the subjects of King Kalakaua are
as we hope peaceably disposed, there is reason
to take into consideration at least the possibility
that the influx of foreigners in great numbers
may hereafter lead to { disturbances and even riots,
such as have occurred in other countries. Some
such idea suggested itself to US, when we pen
ned our remarks lately, about the advisability
OF government owning at some time hereafter
not very remote-a little war-steamer-re-
marks which our local contemporary with his
usual stolidity could neither Understand nor let
pass without an idiotic bray, seemingly being
especially incensed because we observed that
even one little war-steamer would add prestige
to our nascent Hawaiian Kingdom, which every
enlightened man alphabetically regards as
a happy Christian experiment, triumphantly
contrasting with the condition of other races
and nationalities of red or brown races that may
be readily instanced. But, without giving
further Importance to the petulant sneers of an
individual who possibly may lay his own short
comings to the charge of his ungrateful coun-
try we are struck at the coincidence that
simultaneously almost with our remarks, the
isolated and unprotected situation of planters
and other settlers upon the other Islands of the
Kingdom is pressing itself upon the attention
of the thinking part of their populations. To
maintain the cause Of law and order, is, as every
body understands, the duty of a good and strong
government; and how can q government be
said to be in a position to support the local
authorities, which lacks the means of transport
ing-say. even fifty soldiers-to the scene of a
disturbance, except by the casual assistance of
a trading steamer, which may be off to Kauai,
when an additional force is required in Hawaii,
or Uice Uersa. 1t must be remembered that this
India &" coolies" as they are called-and these
fellows are not always lambs,-to say nothing
of the every day increasing numbers of Chinese,
who are also docking to Hawaii mel, and are
not entitled to the character of pet
lambs, no more than the coolies. We can I'M
%derstand, then, the anxiety of rejecting men.
like our Makawao correspondent, who most
reasonably think that immediate communication
between the seat of government and the other
Islands of the Kingdom, is becoming each day
more and moro desirable, even for peace and
projections sake. Besides Acknowledgements
communication now so desirable and even necess-
airy, we are of opinion that government will
lind ere long, when called upon to maintain
aw and order amongst the mixed population
IF the not distant future, that the little war
of which we spoke, will become a matter
If indispensable necessity, even putting out of
he question the prestige of the Hawaiian King.
lom, at which our petulant contemporary
'ssays to sneer 80 unmeaningly and with such
,ad taste for a 6 6 Hawaiian born.''