The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1895-02-19
THE PACIFIC SWITZERLAND.
Sir Kenny Watson's Views on Ha-
wait and Its Future

wait and Its Future
+. \. Schapfer has received the
following, 10 the form OF news.
paper cutting, from John Purvis, st.
Andrews, Scotland, and kindly hand
ed it to the BULLETIN for publica.
tion:
ROYAL SCOTTISH GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY.
Yesterday aftern, on Sir Kenny
Watson delivered a lecture to the
Royal Scottish Geographical Society
in the Society's Hall, Queen street,
Edinburgh. There was a good at
tendance, and the chair was occupied
by Sir Thomas CLARK, Sir Kenny
Watson began by saving that during
these last few years Hawaii had bs.
come a much more familiar name
than it used to he, aud during the
past few months aud days the news
papers had given much attention to
the group. They would remember
the long debate in the United States
Senate, which arose on the question
whether the group should be annex.
ed by the United States or not. The
lecturer went on TO describe the
geographical position OF the group
as well as their topography; and he
referred to the proposal to cut the
Nicaraguan Canal-a work which
could, he understood, be carried
through at much the same cost as
was involved in the construction OF
the Manchester Ship Canal. II
would only be a matter OF soma
years before that Canal was cut; aud
when it was, the Hawaiian Islands
would occupy n unique position on
the way from Panama to China for
our road to the East. The climate
OF the Hawaiian Islands was like
mild summer--warm and salubrious,
never hot in the shade, and seldom
chilly. In July aud August it was
warmest, and the thermometer might
reach 80 degrees in the shade, but
that was not usual. So far as one
might judge in relation to human
comfort, the climate was perfection,
and the islands might truly be called
the Paradise Of the Pacific.
After speaking OF the many natu.
raj beauties OF the islands, Sir Kenny
Watson recalled their recent history,
and pointed out its leading incl
dents. He spoke OF the passing OF
the MKinlay Tariff Act as a severe
blow to the commerce OF the islands,
as it admitted all sugars free to the
United States, thus knocking the
bottom out OF the former CONNER
cial reciprocity treaty between the
Hawaiian Government and the
States, and causing the price OF
sugar to fall to the old figure. That
matter, he was afraid, might end
somewhat seriously for many inter-
ests in the islands. In regard to the
present Government of Hawaii, he
thought those who were in power
we're managing the business we'll,
and were indeed the only class in
the islands to bring back any kind
Of settlement in the way of govern
ment. America, as they knew, re-
garded the position Of these islands
as OF very great importance, and
while he could not say how from
time to time the question OF the pro-
posed annexation OF the group would
fare in American politics, he could
not but wish that they should re.
main, as they had remained for the
last century, free to all nations, and
supported as such by all. Why
could we not have a Switzerland in
the Pacific, SC to speak-an attrac-
tive country, the holiday ground of
all the other Powers. The wonder
full climate and natural beauties OF
the country all contributed to such
an end. (Applause.) The lecture
was illustrated by a series OF lime
light views, which served to convey
to the audience some idea OF the
manifold natural attractions OF the
islands. At the close hearty vote
OF thanks was given to Sir Kenny
Watson.
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