Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-03-13
THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS,
An Interesting Talk Upon Them by Chas. l.
Carter, One of the Anne xatiOn Com mis-
siOuers.

An Interesting Talk Upon Them by Chas. l..
Carter, One of the Annexation Com mis-
sioners.
Mr.. Charles L. Carter of the Hawaiian annex
alton commission. as stated in The STAR Sat-
urday, delivered lecture on Hawaii before
the National Geographic Society Friday night
Mr.. Carter began his remarks with a general
reference to the location and geography of the
Hawaiian Islands and their commercial impor-
lance. He said that the eight inhabited islands
have total area somewhat less than the state
of Massachusetts, but more than the combined
area of the states of Connecticut and Rhode
Island. He dilated on the equability and salu-
brity Of the climate. which fact, he said, was
forcibly illustrated by the further fact tina.
there was no word in the Hawaiian language for
weather. The Japanese current originating
in the arctic region made the normal tempera-
tUre OF the islands twelve degrees below the
temperature at corresponding points on the
Atlantic coast. That there was such current
was evidenced by drftwood from the arctic
regions found ON Hawaiian shores. Among
this not long ago was "a bell buoy that had once
done duty on the northwest coast OF America
Storms and tides had broken it from its moor
ings and after year drifting at sea it was cast
ashore of the Hawaiian islands The
clangor OF its bell attracted the attention of
IL
presented to the Hawaiian government. 'This
bell. said Mr.. Carter. brought to our shores
the first echo of the liberty loving music of the
greatest republic on the face of the earth and
forms an epoch in our history"
PEOPLE HosPITABLE But NoS-PRoGREssIvE.
He then described the native population of
the islands, and said the people were good, affa-
BILE and hospitable but non progressive. That
they lacked stamina, he said. wa. evidenced by
the fact that they had never yet developed a
successful merchant. The natives are slowly
diving out, statistics showing decrease at the
rate of 600 year for the last twenty years.
White Hawaiian is term used to describe
persons born in Hawaii of white or foreign
parents. These. Mr.. Carter said. were the bone
and sinew of the country, and were the pro-
gressive elements of its society.
Mr.. Carter said that the Chinese population
was industrious and economical, and that their
shortcomings were offset by their domestic
virtues He paid high tribute to the industry
and virtue Of the japanese and compared them
with the Chinese IN most favorable manner.
The Japanese, he said, adopted European Gus
toms and habits of living and didn't run to
clannishness and secret societies like the Chi
neso.
The Portuguese came from the Azore Islands
twelve years ago whence they were driven by
succession OF famines. They proved good clti-
zens and were characterized by a fondness for
home life. The South Sea Islanders who had
settled In Hawaii. Mr. Carter said, were savage
and cruel and compared unfavorably with the
natives.
The Euranians, who formed an important ele-
ment OF the population of the islands. were q
cross between Hawaiians and Portuguese Ha-
waiians and Chinese and Hawaiians and whites
generally. They are Industrious, patriotic and
progressive.
PRODUCTS OF THE ISLANDS.
Mr.. Carter referred briefly to the products
Of the islands. Sugar and rice we're now the
staple products, but the fertility of the ground
offered great possibilities for the production OF
coffee and fruits. He predicted that in the
near future every breakfast table in America
would be served with Hawaiian coffee and that
the vast northwest would be supplied with the
tropical fruits OF Hawaii. He told Of the civil
and religious institutions of the islands and said
| their government followed the principles of the
American and English systems In theory this
had proved very fine, but practically it had
been partial failure, owing to the inability Of
| the natives to govern themselves and the lack
OF head to rule over them with wisdom and
discretion.
The lecture was illustrated by thirty-two
slides, showing the wonderful natural beauty
| of the country and the fine buildings that had
| been erected there. The last slide showed an
American Tag. 1t was loudly applauded Mr.
Carter made no reference to the present situ-
alton OF affairs on the islands except in his
closing remarks, when he said that he had en-
deayored to show the fertility and possibilities
OF the islands, with their nucleus of desirable
population, which under proper governmental
control would in time increase tenfold Their
| institutions had been founded and built up by
American influences and under the moral sup
port OF the American government. and the
question now IL whether these things were to
continue for the benefit and advancement of
civilization under the permanent government
| OF the United States or whether they were to
be sacrificed by mistaken policy.