The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-15

Thus 1t Will be seen, from the words OF
one who speaks from authority, an officer
on his honor. that life goes ON among tn e
lepers quite pleasantly and that they are
not only comfortable, but even quite hope
full. Those who care to do so may also
note that this Protestant officer, as well as |
the native and Protestant President, gives |
all the credit to Father Damien for the |
improved condition of things at Molokai;
and l. a Protestant, pause here in this mar
rative TO stick pin and call attention to
this in the report of the learned Inspector
of the Navy. Why? Simply because DR..
Hyde and Mr.. Jekyl JackalY, and his set
at Honolulu, deliberately proceeded to dig
up the dead priest and defame him most
shamefully. Then it was that Robert
Louis Stevenson passed that way and
roasted, fayed and gibbeted the Rev.(P p DIR.
Hyde, Jackal & Co. Stevenson knew well
what must follow from the foul mouths of
such men, but the brave, dying genius pre-
ferred to be abused, living or dead, with
the humble priest, Father Damien, rather
than be praised by such sickening impos-
tors, who are now trying to get some little
1.-THE of the dead mans glory. The truth
is, if there is one dead man more heartily
hated by DR.. Hyde and Mr.. Jackal in Hon.
olulu than Father Damien it is Robert
Louis Stevenson. But if there is one
memory more revered than Father Damien
at Molokai it is that of Robert Louis Stew
enson. May 1 merit and receive abuse
enough from those "hired hypocrites" to
give my name place at his feet in the end.
The eminent physician, DR.. Milan Soule,
before referred to, has visited Molokal.
As he gives an exact account of the situa-
ton there, and also the manner of send
ing the afflicted to that center, tits best
and ought to be more satisfying to quote
at length from him. He handed me the
following on board the Australia:
Having recently visited the settlement will
endeavor to give a concise description Of the
island and of its unfortunate inhabitants.
MoIokai lies about 25 miles from the island of
Oahu and about Sc miles from Honolulu. Its
native name is Kaainapali-a land of preci-
pices. 1t is the fifth in size of the Hawaiian
group. 1t is forty miles long, seven miles
broad and has an area of a little more than
200,0 square acres. An almost impossible
range of precipitous mountains divides the
island into two unequal parts. The leper settle
ment is situated on the elevated grassy plain
of Kalaupapa, which lies on the windward side
of the island, and has an area Of 5000 acres.
This plain is bounded on three sides by the
ocean, and on the landward side by perpen-
dicular cliffs-the Pail of Kalae. The fertile
plain of Kalaupapa is nearly thousand feet
above the level of the sea at its highest point,
and is one of the most salubr1ous and attractive
spots in the Hawaiian group. 1t is covered
with rich tropical verdure, while the sides OF
the mountains and ravines are resplendent
with flowers and shrubbery of beautiful and
varied hues. Several small cascades of pure,
sparkling water, falling from lofty cliffs in
never-ceasing showers, lend an additional
charm to the scenery, and form picture of
great natural beauty. Lying on the windward
! side of the island the soft languorous armos-
phere of the tropics is agreeably cooled by the
trade winds from the north. There is always
delicious blending OF warmth and coolnoss
| in the air which indisposes one for mental
| physical effort, and gently induces condition
| of blissful and tranquil repose.
| The whole number of lepers at the Molokai
settlement was officially reported at 1191, viz:
TAI males and $50 females. There would be,
| therefore, nearly seven acres OF productive
ground for every member of the settlement. 1t
was great pleasure to me to find that every
| necessary provision had been made for the tenn
poral and spiritual welfare of the members of
| this colony. 1 certainly was not prepared to
| find such large number apparently free from
the ravages Of disease. In many instances the
| affection had been arrested before any appre-
| ciable amount of deformity or Disagreement
| mad been produced, and the casual observer
would have noticed few, if any, traces of the dis
| ease l am fully convinced that leprosy has
sumed milder form in this settlement than it
| took before sanitary measures were enforced
and brought to their present state OF perfection.
Unsightly deformities unfortunately do exist,
but such results are very unusual when COM
pared with the horribly dishgured wretches I
| have seen in other parts of the world, where no
attempt had been made to stay or check the
progress of this protean malady. 1t was also
great pleasure to me to fnd the lepers cheer
ful and apparently happy, in spite of the dis
ease and restricted freedom. Although no
person is permitted to visit the settlement
without permit from the Board of Health,
there are so many sensational and absurd
stories in circulation, describing in horrible
detail the brutal manner in which healthy,
unoffending people had been forcibly taken
from their homes and "banished to living
death on Molokai," that I will explain, even
at the risk of tedium, the only method of
procedure when residents of this kingdom
are sent to this island. My information
was gained by personal observation, hav-
! ing witnessed several examinations. There
is at Kailihi, near Honolulu, q comforta-
BILE well-equipped hospital and home, to
which are sent the suspects from all
parts of the kingdom to be examined by reg
ularly appointed Board of Medical Examiners.
This board, consisting of five legally qualified
medical practitioners, assemblies at stated
periods and carefully examines all persons
brought before it. Each examiner is provided
with form upon which has been written the
names of the persons to be examined. There
are three spaces on each form in which each
examiner, without consulting his confreres,
writes his opinion, viz: "Clean," Suspect"
or "Ieper" The subjects for examination are
presented one at time, and in every instance
thorough examination is made. When all
have been examined the papers and opinions
are compared. When any difference of opin-
ion exists the subject is entitled to
another examination. No person can be
declared leper and sent to Molokai
except by the unanimous consent of this board.
1 would add that many natives voluntarily
appear for examination. The Hawaiian Gov
eminent provides very literally for all lepers
sent to Molokai. Nearly one-tenth of the rev.
enue OF the kingdom is annually expended for
their support and medical treatment. In no
other country have their wants received such
! careful consideration. There are comfortable
homes for homeless boys and girls. and the
good Franciscan Sisters in chargeIa are untiring
in their efforts to promote the welfare and hap