Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1893-03-01
HAWAII.

Troubles Which Led to Queen
Liliuokalani's Overthrow
Location, Government and
| Commerce of the Islands.
Hawaii, with its "army" of fifty
four men wearing the uniform of
German grcnadier guards, and its
former "navy" consisting Of a little
vessel now used as fruit boat, has
for many years been the cause of
mcrrlmcnt 10 the world at large and
has never been taken seriously by the
governments of important powers.
with It's constant plots and counter
plots, cabas and combinations on the
part OF disalfected politicians and
those 81 tlving after personal gain and
power, the countrt has not becn
thoroughly happy and contented since
the reign of King Kamehamcha.
There was good reason for this, for
OH his death the succession of Prince
Lunalio gave rise to opposition, which
continued when he died and Prince
kalakaua succeeded him. Revolutions
and riots have frequently taken place
and have been put down without
great difficulty, usually because II NAH
of-war of one of the foreign powers
has been in the harbor of Honolulu
and has not hesitatcd to land troops
when the situation threatened to be-
come serious.
Cabinets have been appointed, re-
maned in office for few months aud
sometimes only for few weeks, and
have then either resigned or been
forced out at the desire of the sovcr-
eign or the demand Of the people.
Diplomatic representatives of foreign
nations have not hesitated to put their
fingers into the Hawaiian pie, not
without studied purpose. This is
especially true in the case Of rcprcscn-
tativcs of the English government,
which has always regarded the coun-
try with longing eyes and hoped that
some day the Hawaiian plum would
fall into its zap.
Kalakaua became king in 1874. 1t
was not long af'crward that the
. United States began to seek domin-
aling influence in Hawaii; but the first
public move in that direction was not
made until 1876, when a reciprocity
was arranged by which rice and straw
were admitted duty free.
KaIakaua died on January 90, 1891,
and was succeeded by his sister, Prin-
cess Lilinokalani, whose husband was
John .. D6minis, an American by
birth. lie died in the following Sep
tcmbcr The Queen soon became un-
popular with the natives and Amcri-
cans, taking no pains 10 conceal her
favoritism for the English and her
objection to annexation to the United
Slalcs, The republican feeling in the
Islands spread rapidly. The platform
of the labor party demanded a new
constitution and even limited at an
nexation. The demand Tor more
stable government became stronger.
1t was suggested that if annexation
should occur the Queen should be
given a handsome pension for the
rest of her life. The missionary, re-
form, national reform and republican
parties continue their political fights,
the annexation question being one of
the principal points involved.
The Hawaiian Archipelago consists
of a group of eight Inhabited islands
2l00 miles southwest of Sln Francis
co. They have an area of GG40 square
miles, and are about equal in
extent to Delaware, Coanccti-
cut aud Rhode Island combined.
Honolulu, the capital, has popula-
lion of 90, 600. while the population Of
the country is 10000. The govern
mcnt has Lccn Il limited constitutional
monarchy, with form as to its royal
branch superiicially similar TO that of
Great Britain, but with constitution
like that of The United States. -Four
ministers, appointed by the sovereign,
hold executive power. The legislature
is formed of two bodies of twenty
four members each, the upper house
consisting Of mobiles who are elected
by those voters having an annual in
come OF 5000 and are able to read and
write. The electors of the lower
house must pay at least 50 taxes per
annum and be able TO read and write.
During the year 1890 tho value of
imports was nearly S7.000,00 while
the exports for the same period were
valued at $l3, 2S2. .006, making total
foreign commerce of over $40, 900, 900,
or 1929 for each inhabtant-a larger
per capita than that of any other
country on earth. More than ninety
two per cent. of this trade was done
with the United States and seventy
three per cent. of the carrying trade
done by American ships, notably those
of the Oceanic Steamship line, which
sail from San Francisco to Samoa,
2SOO miles distant; to New Zealand,
1000 miles away, and to Australia,
55OO miles from Honolulu, which is
port of call Oh outward and homeward
voyages. Steamers of the Pacific Mail