Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-05-22
AFFAIRS IN HAWAII.
Gov. Wells Tells of nis Impression of
the situation

the situation.
Ex-Gov. IL. II. Wells returned on Friday
night to this city after an absence Of some
two months. he spent most of his time at
the Hawaiian Islands. where he went I'm
company with Mir. John w. Thompson. 1oin-
ing on the way Mr.. Crosby S. Noyes and Afr.
5. IL. Kaufman and party Gov. Wells is
the only one that turned his face homeward
when the visit to the Hawaiian Islands was
completed. He has been very much bene-
nted by this trip and says that he is in
splendid health. He speaks in an enthu-
siastic way of his reception at Honolulu ana
says tnat Mr.. Noyes and Mr.. Kaufman
were tne recipients OF special attention, as
the Hawaiians look upon The Star as hay-
ing done important ana valuable service for
them. The people there, the ex-governor
says, wanted TO DO a great deal more, but
the snortness OF the visit prevented
This was Gov. Wells second visit TO the
hawaiian Islands, and his large acquaint-
aLce, composed of those whom he knew
In former years and those whom he recent
ly met gave him an opportunity Of ascer-
tanning the feelings and the sentiment of
the people, as We'll as to become familiar
with the facts OF the present situation
In talking TO Star reporter this morning
Gov. Wells said that to a stranger the
idea that there was any general disorder
existing in Hawaii would never occur.
He said that the business, the government
and the management of affairs generally
are almost exclusively in the hands OF
Americans, English and Germans. The labor
Is done as exclusively by the Chinese
japanese and Portuguese. 1t is safe TO
say. he thought that the prosperity Of the
islands is the result OF Chinese labor.
AS an evidence of this he cited the fact
that fifteen years ago Hawaii produced no
rice and scarcely any vegetables or fruits
except tropical fruits.
The Cinnamon. he says, have converted
the swamps into productive rice fields. pay
ing large revenues. The markets are al
most exclusively In the hands OF the
Chinese. and every day in the year green
corn. tomatoes. cucumbers strawberries and
melons may be found in the market at
moderate prices. The sugar product he
sal 1. is rapidly increasing. The paramount
American interest is to secure a great
naval station at Pearl Harbor. He said
that there was no place In the Pacihc COM
parable with Pearl Harbor as the place for
such a station. and this fact was recog-
nized by all the foreign nations.
England, he says, through the Canadian
Pacific and its great lines Of ocean steam
ers. is tying Asia, Europe and America to-
getf er.
The finest steamers in the world are those
named for the three princesses. and start
ing from Vancouver they make the trip
thence to China and Japan four days quick
er than any other line. Three other steam
ers connect Australia and British Columbia
He said that the great powers OF the world
would be glad TO exchange places with the
United States and raise their flag In Ha-
wall, and in consideration therefor estab-
lish a great naval depot. lay a submarine
cable and establish a protectorate over the
island. This they cannot do unless the
United States will give her consent. which
has always been and will always be, he
said. stoudy refused.
Importance of Pearl Harbor.
In regard TO the condition Of affairs in
Honolulu Gov. Wells said that 1t is as
peaceful as in any city or village in the
United States. All the trouble that is APP
parent arises from the feeling OF unrest
owing to the unsettled policy Of this govern
n:ent toward the Island. He said that the
hosting of the American flag on Pearl
harbor would give more Joy than any other
event that could hapHen. The election just
held was TO choose delegates to the con-
stitutionaI convention. II passed Of quietly.
The friends of the queen refused TO vote.
Gov. Wells said that IL seems impossible
that Mrs. Dominus, the ex-queen. could
stand long In opposition or could defeat
what the interests of the two countries and
the world at large seemed to require. For
her individual support she needs a little
money, and the provisional government viii
hardly refuse a reasonable demand Of that
kind. and the United States. when the pro-
tectorate is established. will no doubt give
the ex-queen a proper pecuniary recogni-
ton.
Everybody hopes and believes. observes
Gov. Wells. that Admiral Walker and Min
lister Willis have made or will make sep
arate reports establishing the fact OF the
adaptability Of the location at Pearl harbor
of naval station and the desirability OF
the work being done. The enunciation Of
such a policy would bring TO the country
feeling of security.