New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-07-02
PRESENT AND FUTURE OF HAWAII

PAPER SIANDERS ATTRACT LITTLE
HOPE OF BRIGHTER DAY.
IRON OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRTBUNRl
Honolulu, May 12.-Amcrican interests pre-
dominate in Hawaii and the King stipulates
in .he treaty that during the term OF its con
tinuance he will not lease or ALLEVIATE any port,
harbor or other territory in his domnions to
any other Power or Government. What more
can America ask unless il be that this little king
dom lose its individuality by annexationf In the
latter case the contract system would be abolished
and the planters would probably be obliged to have
recourse to white labor 1t is an indisputabe fact
that it costs white man considerably more to live
than dark man. He cannot afford to work for the
same wages. The consequences would therefore be
as disastrous TO the planter in of the abroga
ton of the treaty. The cost CT living is very great
in these islands perhaps nowhere in tine United
States is tho market so limited or the prices ,
high. Nor is it likely that the islands will ever be
self-sustanng. The available lands do better IN
sugar and rice than in anything else, and it Is
rlore profitable to barter sugar for foreign pro-
duce than TO attempt to dOmesticate cereals and
fruits that are ll-adapted to the soil. Hawaii must
look to the United States for those products which
she has all along been importing and the demand
for which is constantly increasing under the in
MIGRATING influences of the treaty.
Perhaps some may wonder that there has been
no attempt on the part of the Government or the
planters to refute the brutal ISLANDERS so diligently
circulated against them Ii is surprising when the
case is 50 agqavating but one must take into con-
sderatOn the fact that the mail reaches Hawaii
only once a month meanwhile the people pursue
the even tenor of their way and slumber and sleep
as cOntentedly if they were at peace with all the
world. The climate IS soothing, perpetual sum-
mer beguies and the winter of discomfort is almost
undreamed of here. The papers in question are
apparently not much read in the kingdom, and are
so little thought of that their names have become
playful reproach The planters are ever absorbed
in the routine Of business. and are much like
farmers in their pastoral independence. The outer
world does not seem to enter into their minds or
hearts, and when this grievance is brought to their
notice only once month. it has little weight with
them, for there is fashion here of considering the
source and dismssing the subject in disdain IT Is
their misfortune that they do not realize the
danger which is increasing with the spread of these
scandals The public is prone to sympathize with
the sorrows Of the dOwn-trodden; it matters little
whether the sorrows are real or imaginary or il tho
narrowing tale be a mere fiction cOncocted IN the
Office oe a sensational journal. Their pity is awak
ened their Indignation aroused and probably the
sworn testimony OF all the planters in the kingdom
conped with that of several committees of trust
worthy citizens would not and cOnld not undo the
damage that q single printed falsehcOd has DONE
For instance Mr.. Unna. OF the Hanna plantation IN
the island of Maui, lately purchased IN California
two small cannon with which to celebrate the 1ete
DAYS at his place. Fcte days in these islands are
made much of, for they are almost the only break
in the monotOnOus lie here. the firing OF salntes
the hosting of flags, few games "A feast COM
prise the round OF festivities and 1t hehooyes every
one TO make The most of them. When the news
paper men discovered that two cannon had been
shipped 10 the Hawaiian Islands they were about
lie size of large toys, they announced the fact III
blood curdng editorial paragraphs, anu ureW
picture of the carnage which was destined 10 follow
the introduction of this artillery into the Kingdom
a picture before which the doom of the SepOys paes
It's Intellectual fires That paragraph, calculated To
chill the blood of the American reader, was Ioared
at in Hawaii as if II had been one 81 the pest Jokes
the Hawaiian standpoint, for Mr.. Unna and his
plantation are models. and his effort TO make merry
when the few opportunities oiier Is worthy the mi
tation Of every planter IN the Kingdom. -
1t is the hope of the Hawaians that stll
brighter day will soon dawn upon them If the ship
canal is pressed to completion. W hen ITS ALBANIAN
the locks are thrown open to the commerce OF the
world. Hawaii will he midway in the track OF
Oriental traffic Whether there is ultimately 10 be
shlp-canal or shlp-rallway, snort cut VIII ne
beneficial to this kingdom. The prospectot the
future opening Of that new thOrOugbfare Is what
srstans and consoles those who fear abrogation.
For then there will be new source OF revenue, and
if America does not care to rcclprocate 1t VIII be
much easier to look elsewhere for the market des-
tined to supply Hawaii If those who have been
led to look upOn the Hawaiian iSlinuS ~ hlHeuOH
which countenances slavery in any form, or to re-
gard the planters hard taskmasters, ana the
plantation hands ill-used and suffering victims OF
an unrigheDus system, will consider Tor a moment
how silly the accusations are and how fatal would
be such practices 10 the prosperity OF the islands III
general and the planters III particular, believe
this whole question would very speedily settle it.
self | have said that labor is scarce. that it IL by
no means equal to the demand and that it is at
best hardly obtained; not because there IS any
thing TO fear from the planter or plantation life
Those who are here have III many cases sent Tor or
ADVISED relatives and friends 10 Join them. Some
who have served ont their time as an apprentice
would, have contracted anew. Others who nave
been back to the old home have returned again.
even in the case Of South Sea Islanders, though
confess / cannot understand why they should care
to renew their labOrs, knowing their love OF sweet
INDECENT life as | do If a planter chooses to abuse
his laborcrs, they have recourse to law. II they
suir their duty he has recourse to law The better
the only wise plan is for all TO get on as best they
can, and this is the prevailing custom. sections
1.419, 1920 and l.423 of the Civil Code OF the
Hawaiian Islands fully cover the ground. There
are fifty one plantations complete with mill and
cane fields: twenty two plantations of cane
only and nine sugar mills separate from other
plantations, each EMPLOYING numerous hands and
nearly all the hands under contract. And yet the
complaints made ny planters anu 1mpioycs arc OF
rare occurrence This does not look as II laborers
were starved or driven AZ the lannon's mouth INTO
the cane fields and sugar houses. lt would perhaps
astOnIsh American editors perhaps n0t If they
were to the gangs of native 0rof Portuguese
lahorers scattered among the cane fields and singing
as they toll. 1t would certainly astonIsh the
readers of those infamous articles. have recently
seen with my own eyes the evidences of content
mcnt in the canebrake and in the quarters. and
have found the Hawaiian and the Cody upon re-
turning from a days work RECALLING themselves with
songs and improvisatiOns upon those unearthy ill.,
strumcnts affected by Celestials. In truth, the
quarters were merry as a ships deck during the
doc-watch. and if there any GROWERS 10 lie
found one had to look for them among that class of
whites who grOwl much and as heartily at home
as anywhere else IN the world