New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-05-31
SELECTIONS FROM TIE MAIL
KNOWLEDGE OF HAWAII
WITH CONSTANT COMMUNICATIONS 1T WOULD
SEEM DIFFICULT TO KEEP AMERICANS AS
IGNORANT AS REPRESENTED.

/
IGNORANT AS REPRESENTED.
To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: In your issue OF May II you give communi-
cation. signed by Julius A. Palmer. jr on AFFAIRS In
| Hawaii" Having been a resident upon the Islands
for many years and In frequent close correspond
ence with parties there especially during the last
eighteen months. and In constant receipt OF mail
matter-newspapers, published by both sides-l as
sumo that | have some knowledge with regard to
the existing OF affairs at the islands 1 would
like to make few friendly criticisms on Captain
Palmers statement that 1.-THE American people have
been purposey and wlfully kept from any knowl-
edge Of things they in the Kingdom or
Hawaii"
The facts are that there are from two to three
regular mail steamers leaving Hawaii for San Fran
cisco every month. They carry from 5000 TO 1900
letters and nearly many newspapers from friends
in the Islands people residing in the United States
and England. There have been also special CORE
spondents from the san Francisco papers, and part
OF the time from NcwYork detailed especially to
give the American people Information. With all this
educational matter coming from the Islands to the
States. it is hard perceive how our people are
kept In ignorance Of what Is Transporting.
About thu nth OF January five men started for
Washington with the avowel purpose Of cedng the
Hawaiian nation TO the United States AS II
fact. the voters Of Hawaii had expressed opinion
for against annexation" Preceding the departure
Of the five regular appointed Commissoners from
Hawaii to Washington there had been one Of the
largest mass-n etngs ever held IN Honolulu be-
tween 700 and 5000 persons taking part IN the said
meeting That gathering notable for its ex-
pressons Of sympathy WITH and desire Of annexa-
ton 10. the United States for the purpose that
suitable government might be secured 70 the en-
tire population ~ the islands, and FIVE Commissions
ers. OF American. English and Hawaiian birth. rep
resented the atelgen population Of the capital city
With regard to Mr. T. IL Davies 4 British
citizen" Captain Palmer says, His trip had abso-
lutey no political Significance" 1t is probably fresh
In the minds II your readers that this same Mr..
Davies. as guardian 70 the Princess Kalulani. and
accompanied by her visit to Washington Ia
February 1896 by his Intercourse with the President
and social receptions with the Presidents wife. was
supposed to have exercised considerable political
influence" on the Of affairs that time Tha,
there a marked change In social matters during
Mr.. Davts's rccen; call at Washington IS also We'll
known From some cause or other the doors OF the
White House and of the office Of the Secretary or
State d!l not swing widely upon their hinges 10
give him warm welcome as on MS previous visit
In regard 70 the influence OF Great Britain.
think that your readers sufficiently well In
formed OF her national history. OF her aggressive
ness ana acknowledgements 10 know full well that
the least pretcnce Of excuse for occupying tho
Hawaiian Islands would only be too willingly and
speedily awaited Of Even "the agreement; with
France would not probably prove an unsurm9unta-
bic obstacle II her las were once more foated over
In regard 10 president Cleveland being forced by
any threats or communications from the Provisional
Government 10 Influence him - act against tn
policy u Grea Britain. no one who knows thorough
Is the situation or knows the men controlling ar
fairs AZ Honolulu would make suiA cnarge, 80
BIZ Mns.Sr 1hgr.t'n AMI other nss5clatei with
them authority have given ample proof 70 tht
kmsrlcln PEOPLE - thclr cailbllty OF tokirg care
= themselves anl propose To give ne best ~ evi-
dencc ln the reconstructed permanent government
a., ca', have certainly recognized in all their DEAF
lnss with President Dole that they have consilereu
him the duly authorized President Of the Pro-
vaonal Governmont ani - far as the consnnr rep-
rescntAuvrs - fpr.En Powers AZ l9n,u.u are con
r~ru"l they hive d'ne the same lnciuing "a" Eng
With regard 20 American interests" In Hawaii.
think u cannot be misynders,ood by that term
established their homes and nves'ed their capital
for the buding'up Of any controlling interest IN th1
country. they have right SUI 70 be considered
lions an oath u allegiance TO support the constiiu-
ton OF n foreign country, whore II has been -
own country. Aa- been recognized by the state De
pif'mrnt 49, D., ~ f s,n,a,,cs Of i'm
$50 vii c,nvinre one tina, there has been vast
amount Of nterchnnging u products. the result u
American capital employed. which has varied from
$500 10 ' s 9rc y g n s9s rgns Gr i|e III
those residing On the oil ~ the United states a.
favorable conditions II the Islands in regard TO the
reciprocity treaty and other favorable legislation
during the reign Of Kalakaua Is historically true
ana no one disputes H. but that the King or MS
matter is far from being the fact In every instance
where there hns been an ENLARGEMENT OF r.
OF the King ON where trade mas p,en miro
duccd and sources Of revenue brought IN, II mas
been Invariably unler the direction OF the foreign
Ministers In the i>ingS Cablnr ana sometimes III
spite OF the Kings personal Wishes IN the matter.
4 very large majority Of the kings ministers
throughout hts rcign either Amerc1n-born or
of American parentaer. born at the islands. From
the year lsS1 especially the kingdom was governed
by a CONSTITUTIONAL monarchy Kaakaua having no
more absolute control than queen Victoria. IL Was
,ho, caused Inc revolution OF 1851 and also that OF
is92 The mon A the head Of affairs IN Hawaii AZ
ems mos, OF them born on the Islands They have
but one object vlewthat of cndeavorlnS to found
a government upon the principles which actuated
h the paos OF h n S from the
laws which govern New-England. They are i'm
pressed by the same lofty ideas OF personal liberty;
the people for the people and by the people, ana,
although at present the Hawaiian race IS not largely
active in pnrtlcipa;ing In the formation Of this gov
eminent yet It is confidently expected that the day
f. not far distant when they will cheertuy fail into
line and accept the condition Of affairs as vastly
better for their Interests than those preceding The
revolution of Janu1ry. 1893. one single sentence
OF tho monarchy 10y the forces OF the United states.
win In twentyfour hours bring an entire change of
attitude on the part Of the Hawaiian people toward
the Provisional Government As an indication that
this statement Is not too eXtravagant. the fact may
lists held In Honolulu at which the principal men
engaged on that side present and participating
ton OF the Qucen-rather entire Ignoring OF any
expectation that such would be the case, or any
claim that II would be accomplished
brighter day Is dawnng Hawaii day In
which constitutional rights and privileges viii DON'T
States VIII be able TO and judge for themselves
the character OF the people that have formed the
under proper conditions 10 come into the Union To
this future they look forward with undiminished
confidence. GORIiAM ID. GILMAN.
Boston. May 10 1851