The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1890-04-15
Italian Laborers.

M. ED1ToR: The proposition to
still further complicate the socialo-
Cscsl condition of the Islands by the
introduction of Italian laborers, gives
special interest to any facts concern
ing this class. We have already one
branch OF the Latin speaking races
IN our midst, and while there Is no
near relationship between these peo-
pies they are antecedently connected
So far as agreement and harmony
zre concerned there is no apriori
principle upon which we can call to
Determine in advance how these two
nsiionalities will affiliate, but 1t is
often the case that related races are
less harmonious than those not re-
lated: IN this case there exists no
national feuds, however, and no an
cessral differences. Those who have
met only the Italian emigrant as he
appears IN the great cities of Amer
ica viii not be predisposed towards
tins new immigration, and Tor TINS
reason the observations and conclu-
SONS OF a great traveller and dlplo-
matist of the standing of Eugene
SCHUYLER viii be gladly welcomed by
al thinking men. He has been llv-
ing the past three years on the out
skirts of Alasslo, a town OF 5000 IN
habitants ID Liguria, and about half
WAY between Nice and Genoa Col.
Spalding proposed to bring hither
Piedmontese peasants, and a little
study Of the map of Italy may be
helpful to those not familiar with its
subdivisions. Piedmont is the ex-
IRENE northeastern part of Italy,
lying Immediately south of Switzer-
land and east of Southern France.
Il Is entirely inland, having no sea-
coast being separated from the
Mediterranean Sea by Liguria. 1t
occupies tie upper basin Of the 20,
and Is surrounded by the lofhest
ranges of the Swiss Alps on the
north. the Graian and Cottiau Alps
on the east. while the Maritime Alps
bound il on the southeast, and the
Apemimes on the south. 1t is thus
surrounded with the grandest of
natural boundaries on all sides ex-
cspt the east whittier it opens out
upon the plains of Lombardy. The
kingdom of Italy Is subdivided into
provinces for administrative pur-
poses. doing away with the old time
compartimenti. of which Piedmont
Was one. whose territory now com
prises four provinces, Alessandria,
Cuneo. Navarro and Lorino: of these
the latter. In which is situated the
city Of Turin. Is the largest and most
populous. Although in portions it
Is mountainous. still Piedmont sus-
tsins q population Of 2S3 to the
square mile, and produces sur
plus Of corn over home consump-
non. OF the climate / can fnd
no statistics. but that it is a
contrast TO Hawaii would be in
ferred from its latitude and inland
situation, while the crops grown are
those Of the temperate zone entirely.
Whether peasants from such condl-
tons VIII be happy and successful
plantation help might be an open
question OF which others can judge
better than 1. But that the popula-
ton Is becoming imbued with the
spirit of emigration, is shown by
the statistics of Mr. Schuyler, and
that q stream might be diverted
hither seems reasonable. The ex-
tracts below are from an article pub
kshed IN the Political Science Quar-
tsrly OF September, 1889, published
N New York City, and edited by the
Faculty of Political Science of Col
umbia College" and would seem to
be Of the highest authority Mr..
Schuyler discusses the question from
the standpoint of an American citi
zen studying into the character of
the immigrants and their capacity to
become useful citizens of the great
Republic. As a basis for popula-
ton. his conclusions would have an
equal value here, while, as l have
sid. as s basis for a labor supply
Tor the canefelds, trial only can
settle the question.
W. c. MERRITT.