The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-09-30
HANDS UPON A NATIONS THROAT

face with its dark liquid eyes smiling down
upon me. She had slipped a rope-a lei, she
called it-of gorgeous red and yellow flowers,
strung thick and Close over my head.
But" protested, 81 don't see why.
can't do anything, you know, except repeat
what you say"
''lt-it is that" She hestated, and then
plunged bravely on with her broken English,
she continued: ''No one comes toto ask US.
No one listens. No one cares. Your paper will
speak for us-uS Hawaiians. Our voice will
be heard, too We are poor-you un'stan1
And we cannot talk your language YER well.
The white men have everything on their side.
But we are right and they are wrong"
"Thev are not heathens-not cannibalS, you
see" said voice behind me as | stepped out
upon the veranda of the pretty new hotel at
Hilo.
1t was Henry West, half-white, whom
had seen at the meeting.
''Of course not. answered. "Who said
they were"
"Why, a Boston paper-just lately said so.
Have you met Mr.. Keakolo?"
David Keatolo and exchanged bows. He
is verv dark and his hair and mustache are
grav He has a prominent nose and large, dark,
expressive eyes. had noted him particularly
at the meeting, for he was the one man present
in dress suit and he spoke often and anima-
tedly. He smiled now, and said, with profu-
sion of gestures:
''I-am so sorry. cannot speak lnglf.
can un'stan."
EYES," went on Mr.. West. "They call
US savages-al kinds of names. We are not
We read and write. Yes, more of us-compar-
ing, YOU know-read and write than in Senator
Morgan's own birth State-Alabama, is it?
am so sorry Senator Morgan did not come to
Hilo with your party. If he would come here
as udge-if he would hear both sides-We
would benefit from it. Your country has
wronged US cruelty. Cleveland himself said so.
What could we do when the United States sol
dierS were landed in our streets four years ago?
Let the United States right the wrong now-let
her not do more wrong"
''Would you prefer the present government
to annexation?" asked
''The present government cannot last
They know that themselves"
''But in time, supposng the islands are not
annexed, don't you think that the natives will
become reconciIed and-and take the oath
Of
"Never"
And quick-spoken Hawaiian word and
glance from Keakolos black eyes emphasized
the negative. They turned to leave.
"We are sorry that you are going back so
soon" Mr.. West said with pathetic courtesy.
EWe should like to show you the country"
looked after the two men as they walked
down the tree-bordered path with an aching sort
of sympathy. They are so weak their op-
ponents are SO strong.
| had to wait short time in Mrs. Ma
wahis little drawing-room, where had gone to
see Mrs. Campbell. The president of the
Womens League, by the way, is the wife of
that James Campbell, the wealthy Honolulu
planter, who was kidnapped by Oliver Winthrop
(now in San Quentin) and held for ransom in
San Francisco last year.
Every door and window of the room where
sat was curtained freshly in white. The mat
ting floor was frightened by large square of
checkered pattern, with broad shining plaits.
And this is really all | noticed, for Mrs. Camp
bell entered, and cared to look at nothing
else.
Imagine a very tall woman, full COM
manding figure dressed in the sheerest of lace
trimmed white lawn. The wreath of orange
flowers on her black hair and the orange lei
about her neck were eXquisitely becoming, and
the loose gowns graceful flow and full train
gave a charming feminine touch to this woman
whose sympathies have placed her in so uncon-
ventional a position. But Mrs. Campbell is
anything but new woman.
''Do you women expect, asked her, Ito
be rewarded for all your work? Do you look
forward to being permitted to vote ?"
The president of the Women's Patriotic
League laughed outright.
''Why, we never thought of that am
working for my people. That is all. When
they are rghted, when they are content, shall
be satisfied. You were at the meeting to-day.
Did it not interest you? There are such meet
ings all over tbs islands. The natives are far
apart. 1t is hard for them to get together. But
they all think alike"
Her voice is exquistely low and full and
Iazily deep She speaks slowly but without
trace of accent. Her manner is gracious and
her face is soft, creamy, brown-tinted, with
proud lips and languid eyes. She looks Ha-
wajian, but hers is an idealized type.
''Tell me, does your husband approve of
your work? p
"Oh, y she answered, smiling, 81 could
would do nothing without his approval"
'Are all famiIies-natve famles-united
on this annexation question:"
eyes; think so. Nearly ALL"
''Suppose Hawaiian woman's husband in
favor Of annexation"
''It is unlikely"
''Wen, if it were so, would she continue to
work in your league? G ud she oppose an
nexation openly and actveIy2"