The record-union., 1894-03-13
TIE ISLAND KINGDOM.
Virtually an American Colony in the
Pacific.
An Interesting Interview With {
Prominent Resident of the
Hawaiian Islands.

The following interview appeared in the
RECORD UNION on the 9th of June, 1889.
1t shows what the situation in Hawaii
was at that time and VIII be read with in
terest now that the affairs OF the islands
have been brought so prominently before
the people of this country:
A RECORD UNION representative had a
pleasant chat at the Capital Hotel last
Thursday evening with b. L. Dillingham;,
leading capitalist and planter of Homo
lulu, who was in the city for the purpose
of inspecting herd of Galloway cattle, at
Agricultural Park, that are TO be shipped
to Honolulu in few days. Mr.. Dilling-
ham was asked if the islands were now
in prosperous condition.
"Ihey are,o he said, more prosperous
than at any period l can recall during my
long residence there. A syndicate, OF
which am member, is now building
railroad from Honolulu to Pearl Harbor,
where the United States has the exclusive
right of occupation as a coaling station,
etc. This road in which [ own four-fifths
OF the stock, will be some twenty-five
miles in length, and when in operation it
will be the first regular passenger rail-
road IN operation on the islands. There
are couple Of short lines now, but they
are used almost entirely for freighting
purposes. Eventually we expect to ex-
tend our road entirely around the island.'
is your visit to California in any way
connected with this enterprise
We'll, yes" replied Mr.. Dillingham;;
II am having twenty -eight cars built for
the road. The work is being done by
California mechanics-the Carter Bros, at
Newark, Alameda County. They built
all the cars in use on the narroW-gauge
road that runs from Alameda to Santa
Cruz and most of the cable cars now in
use in San Francisco. Our locomotives
will have to be built in the East, as the
Southern Pacific Company has all it can
do in this line for itself"
About what proportion of manufact
ures, etc, required on the islands is pur-
chased in California, or rather in the
United States ?" asked the reporter.
What proportionp' u almost exclaimed
the speaker. "Why, my dear sir, might
truthfully say that everything not pro-
duced on the islands is bought here. But,
to be exact, l will say that just 90 per
cent Of last years importations came
from the United States. [ know this, be-
cause l made report on the subject, and
am able to give the exact figures. l have
not copy OF it with me, but will send the
RECORD UNION one on my return to
Honolulu. Why, we imported from Cali
fornia last year alone no less than $780,
600 worth of hay. grain, ETC., for live stock
on the islands,"
Reporter-What is the comparative
strength of the American element in
Hawaii, as regards business and property
ownership?
''To all intents and purposes" said Mr..
Dillingham;, Hawaii is an American col
ony. Americans are now paying 70 per
cent of all the taxes there"
Reporter-How did the Americans
manage to secure a foothold in the
islands?
Shy their pluck, enterprise and public
spirit. The reciprocity treaty has helped
both sides to the compact. You see, we of
the Sandwich Islands. are not manufact-
urers at all. We have one industry-that
of sugar growing; we are consumers of
the things that the United States manu-
facturers have for sale. Reciprocity with
Hawaii does not endanger American
manufacturing interests. The only thing
we have to offer at your market is sugar.
Why, up to the time the reciprocity treaty
was made our trade with the United States
amounted to from $1,000, 600 to g, ,000, 900
year. Last year it exceeded Sl5, 900, 900.
l notice that a great many Americans
who have never been on the islands, and
whose knowledge of affairs there and of
the character of the mercantile relations
with the United States, often refer to the
great benefits that Hawaii has received
through the generosity of this country.
They see only one side OF it. They see
that we sell lots of sugar over here but
they overlook or ignore the fact that in
return for the favor extended to us we
supply all our wants from the factories
the shops and harvest fields of this coun-
try. AS before stated, more than 80 per
cent. of everything we require is pur-
chased here.
Reporter-Has the United States much
competition to meet in mercantile lines
on the islands?
'Yes, she has had most vigorous COM
petition from the English and Germans,
but the large American element there has
secured control of affairs and American
trade is constantly doomed for all there
is in it. The United States cannot afford
TO neglect her citizens over there. They
should have every protection that the
strong arm of the Government can extend
to them, with. of course, a proper regard
for treaty stipulations. Hawaii should be
regarded-as far as trade interests are
concerned-as an outlying American col
ony, which 1t is, in fact to-day. Our
people have control in nearly everything
there"
Reporter-Has Hawaii reached any,
thing like her possibilities in the way of
sugar production-in other words, what
are the inducements to newcomers in
that direction, if any?
'Well,' replied Mr.. Dillingham;, sit
may be said that the possibilities of the
islands have not been half tested. Our
company alone controls 10000 acres of
what might be called wild land, but
which can, with small outlays, be con-
verted into first-class cane land. Indeed,
one of the objects we have in view in
building railroad around the island is
to develop these lands and attract
strangers thereto"
Reporter-What is the average cost of
good cane land, and what profit is de-
rived therefrom?
'Good irrigated cane-growing land is
worth about Sl60 per acre. 1t will pro-
duce from five to seven tons Of sugar mot
the cane) per acre. The raw sugar is
worth from 81 to u cents per pound.
Thus you will see that, at lower esti-
mates than these, an acre Of good sugar
cane is worth at least 500 or 5000 year.
don't think that Californians, even in
exceptional cases, can do as well with
their land as this. Besides, the cane is a
pretty sure CROP"
In conclusion, Mr.. Dillingham; said
that Hawaii has, in his opinion, bright
future before her. There are occasional
political dissensions, but time will regu-
late matters in that particular. The
American element is steadily growing
stronger in the islands, and will un-
doubtediy be able to control affairs there
if the Government should continue its
present policy.
Teaching of German.
The German-born citizens have organ