The San Francisco call., 1896-05-13
THE NEWS FROM HAWAII
Mauna Loa in Active Eruption
and Belching Forth Floods
of Fire.
But a Greater Menace to Public Secu.
rity Is the Volcanic Japanese
Element.

HONOLULU, HAWAII, May 6.-Several
of the excursionists to the Manua Loa
eruption returned here this morning,
having made a successful ascent to the
scene of action. spending the night of the
29th on the brink of the great caldron. No
outbreak has occurred on the outside of
the mountain. The immense output OF
lava is expended toward filling the in
terror of the pit, four square miles in area.
1t was estimated that half that space had
been covered 80 feet in depth. An open
fire-Iake existed of 900 feet by 14OO, as
measured by Dodge. In this lake many
fountains of lava were playing. The
largest fountain was 150 feet in diameter
and $50 feet hish, in constant but some
what varying action, with terrific roar.
The statement sent May 1, that Kilauea
had resumed action, proves to have been
inaccurate. Only dense clouds of vapor
are seen in the pit.
Danon's refunding bill sustains repeat
ed defeats in the Senate. 1t is considered
certain that no such measure will pass
proposing the sale of per cent bonds at
IS per cent. 1t is learned that Minister
Damon's three colleagues do not favor his
measure.
The bill for new loan OF $3.50, 900 for
public Improvements is making D ogress.
Leading men express the confident
opinion that such bonds at 5 per cent will
sell readily at par in Honolulu. No bonds
have hitherto sold at less than per cent,
but heavy sugar dividends are making
money plentiful.
| Of late this Government has felt m meas-
urably relieved from its recent serious
apprehensions of interference from japan
with view of establishing authority over
/ Hawaii with the aid of her 25 600 tubiects
already located here.
Such views appear to have been not long
ago entertained by Japan. but its pres
ent severe complications with Russia and
| EN- barrassments with Korea and Formosa
have latterly led that Government to con-
! fine its attention to affairs nearer home.
Much uneasiness is still felt on account of
! this large Japanese population in Hawaii,
comprising larger number of males than
any other nationality here, the native
Hawalians not excepted. Such an ele-
ment might prove formidable, if well or
ganized, against the Government, consid-
ering the well proved political and
military ability of the Japanese. No pres
| ent apprehensions, however of any such
trouble appear to be called for.
A very great and important security
| against such dangers will have been Gre
ated whenever cable communication shall
!
States enabling indications of trouble to
be promptly reported TO our protecting
power.
In an interview this afternoon with w.
r. Castle, ex-Minister at Washington, Mr..
Castle said with emphasis: 81 consider
the Japanese question altogether the most
menacing one before this Government.
This large Japanese population is restless,
uncertain in temper, and liable at any
| time TO break out in impossible demands
and disorderly action. In case of any
such disturbance, our dealing with them
is liable to be digpleasiug TO their Govern
ment and to lead TO demands for redress.
Such demands are liable to result in per
emptory occupation of the islands by
Japan. We certainly need on this account
the earliest possible cable connection with
the United States"
A standing grievance with the Japanese
in Hawaii is that they are without the
voting franchise. This is liable to lead TO
trouble. but to give them votes would be
extremely dangerous.