The San Francisco call., 1897-02-07
WHITE LABOR
FOR HONOLULU
A Plan on Foot to Substitute
American Help for
Oriental.
w. N. Armstrong of Hawaii
Corresponds With Commis.
sioner Fitzgerald.
The Island Government Said to Favor
the Settlement of American
Citizens.

Labor Commissioner E. l.. Fitzgerald
states that be has big scheme on foot.
1t is nothing less than enlisting the CO.
operation of the Hawaiian Government in
the substitution of American white labor
on the islands for that of Orientals, now
generally employed there.
The inception of this scheme grew out
of visit to this City of Labor Commits
sioner W. n. Armstrong of Honolulu on
his recent return from Japan and Portu-
gal. where he had been sent by his Gov
ernment to study the Ia Dor question.
On his return he called upon Labor
Com missioner Fitzgerald, and in con-
versation with him learned much re-
garding the advantages to he gained by
the employment of white labor as against
that of Oriental on the low standard OF
European countries.
AS soon as Mr.. Armstrong arrived in
his island home he made his report to his
Government and also set forth the in
formation he had obtained in his inter-
view with Mr.. Fitzgerald.
So forcibly did he lay the facts before
his superiors that he was requested 10
consult with the managers of the sugar
plantations and obtain their views upon
the question.
This he did, and the encouragement he
received from them caused him to write
the following letter to the Labor Commits
sioner in this City:
HONOLULU, H. l., Jan. 2S, 1897
L. L. Fitzgerald Esq, san Francisco, CdL-MY
DEAR SIR: L send 10 you a copy of the Ha-
walian Advertiser, in which there is a notice
OF your report. l am now doing editorial
work on the paper
There is much interest taken here in the
n Of xyh 70 lah ont tho
One of the largest is now considering the uues-
ton OF putting up the buildings necessary and
sending TO you for families. l have advised
the managers to invite you down here at once.
so that you could advise intelligently on the
subject. believe this will be done.
informed them that you might not be able
10 come at once owing the need of your pres
ence in Sacramento. The managers believe
that the arrangements for white labor should
De such that 1t may work separately from
either Japanese or Chinese. All this will in
volve considerable expense, but l believe it
will be willingly made.
Few here have faith that you can furnish
reliable laborers, and they will watch the
experiment with much interest
The time for making contracts and the time
for planting cane is afterthe month OF May so
there is no pressure for time l would be glad
TO know at what time you could leave ana visit
US In case the invitation is sent yon. Sim
eerely yours, w. n. ARMSTRONG
The scheme uppermost in the mind of
Mr.. Fitzgerald is to supplant 80, 600 Japa-
nese, $4,000 Portuguese and 140O0 Chi
nese Ia borers on the sugar plantation 8
ing suitable arrangements with the plant
ers and also with the Government for
their comfort and protection.
Under the present agreement between
the Japanese and the Hawaiian Govern
ments the sum OF SIP must be paid the
former Government by the latter for
every laborer landed on the islands.
The 0hiqCt 0f the
IS that this or greater sum should be
distributed toward bringing white Ameri-
can families from California to Hawaii 10
work in the sugar and coffee plantations.
The Sandwich Island Government is
now wrestling with problem which is so
perplexing that action upon the same is
paralyZed. The Japanese Government is
on the verge of demanding enfranchise-
ment OF the 10000 Japanese now num-
bered among its population, a power
which II extended the right of suffrage
would overwhelm in strength the COM
bined efforts of all other forces. Geo
graphically situated so as to render the
immigration OF this class the most con-
venient its plantations are now operated
almost exclusively by Japanese hands,
and, with no restriction upon the bordes
yet to come, the strained condition of
affairs in that republic augurs no future
well-being.
AS tnat condition exists IN the islands,
whether to relieve state of approaching
disorder or to open traffic in cheap
labor, advances have been made, as above
stated, to have white American citizens
take their places and drive the Orientals
back to their homes.
These facts, according to the Labor
Commissioner, clearly demonstrate the
difficulties which are brought about
through the importation of cheap con-
tract labor without taking into considera-
ton what kind of citizens this pauper
labor will make and their ultimate in
huence over the social conditions of the
country.
Mr.. Fitzgerald says he will take trip to
the islands as soon as he can be shared
from his office by the attention necessary
10 look after proposed legislative enact
ments which he now has in Sacramento.
His object in going to Honolulu will be
to assure the Government and the planters
that he can supply them with 10, 900 white
iaborers from this State in one year: but
different arrangements must be made for
their homes and accom- mmodation from
that provided for the japanese. He will
ask that the passage of the men and their
families be paid for either by the Govern
ment or the planters, or by both if agree
able. He states that he will also ask that
all existing labor contracts with China.
Japan, Portugal and any and all countries
outside of the United States be abrogated.