The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1886-12-20


that then represented the Govern
ment, which Enthusiastically speak of
intentions respecting those islands.
No doubt. the author or authors
of the scheme, and its foster-fathers |
and nurses, believe it to be part of
wise policy. \ man can bring him |
self to believe anything-thc most !
preposterous and ridiculous-by |
pouring over it. Ii ia no uncommon
thing for a man to tell falsehood,
knowing it to he falsehood, and
repeating it until he believes il to
be truth. We knew man, other
wise sane and sensible, who be-
lieved he was q Postmaster-General,
when he was only Il postage stamp
printer; and another who believed
he could walk over the surface of
deep pool of water, without sinking,
but on trying the experiment sud
denly changed his mind. Belief in
myth does not convert it into a
reality. These instances of ludicrous
belief will be rightly put down as
alteration of mind.
Now. we hope to be pardoncd for
saying that we regard the Samoa
scheme, so far as publicly known,
as about the same thing. Taking it
for granted that the gentlemen con-
cerned are sincere in the belief that
it is the duty of the Hawaiian King
dom, which is crying out for popu-
lation and the means to develop its
dormant resources, or consider it
wise policy, to send an expensive
| Commission to group of islands
more than two thousand miles dis
tant, to teach them politics and
dabble in their governmental affairs,
we regard it as strong indication
of weakening tendency in the
organ of mentality. Really, we are
unable, under all the surrounding
circumstances, to see anything in
the Samoan policy, except an ambi-
tious craze, an ill-conceived pur-
pose, ludicrous farce and shall be
pleasingly surprised if it ends in
anything better than expense, ridi-
cule, and shame.
To be sure, candor compels the
confession that everybody not iden-
titled with the Government policy
does not fully agree with our view.
A gentleman of this class expresses
the opinion that the money and
labor to be expended will be re-
cooped by the benefit accruing
thcrefrom to our commerce. How
this result is to follow he seems
unable to define, and we are unable
to imagine. What is there among
our products or manufactures that
they need, or what have they that
we require! As to our supplying
them with American or European
goods. Auckland is considerably
nearer to them and a cheaper market
in which to buy.
Now, let us take common-sense
view of the whole question, and
what can we find to justify any such
mission as the one supposed to be
contemplated to Samoa! Here is
the Hawaiian Kingdom, with &
climate and soil unsurpassed. Hel
lands are mostly lying waste, OF
occupied only by few cattle and
sheep. Her population is a mere
fraction of what she is capable OF
supporting. Her cry is for more.
She sends abroad for people to til
her fields and develop her resources
The country is badly in need OF
roads, bridges, wharves, and othe
aids to development. The public
debt is becoming burdensome, ant
taxation is increasing. Add to al
this chronic condition of impecu
mostly, and the fact that pressin!
public services are delayed through
!, lack of means. And yet in the fac
. of all these facts, we talk of incurrin!
the expense of sending Commits
, sioner to Samoa on wild COOS
chase! The whole business ha
very much the smell of the histo
, rical South Sea bubble. What san
: man can think seriously of til
matter, or regard it as anything bu
surname follyi