Evening star., 1897-05-07
Hawaii Barely Escapes q General Epi-
demic.
PROGRESS OF HE CIVILIZED NATIONS
Interesting Gossip About King
kaIakaua's Widow.
PROSPEROUS ssUGARGRoWERs
Special Correspondence Of The Evening Star.

delphia in the naval row, and to hear the
punctual O'Clock evening gun of the flag
ship. While we do not gather from her
presence any positive assurance that the
policy of the administration is for annexa-
tlon, We have an increased certainty of an
intention to hold control of the islands and
exercise protection. And we do not see
low that can conveniently be done. except
by taking Hawaii into the Union and gov
erning it. The big ship thus brings much
of implied promise and assurance of favor
able regard.
1t now looks as If the stir lately made in
Washington about threatened Japanese in
reference with us had led that government
10 countermand the Naniwa's expected
coming here. At least that vessel has not
yet put in her appearance. Meantime, the
Japanese consul general has received his
promotion 10 the rank Of minister plenipo-
1entiary. and the residents of that national
ity in Honolulu have held due festivities
over that event. Their angry grievance still
continues over the peremptory exclusion of
large numbers of their countrymen from
Hawaii, and now is aggravated by the re-
shipment to Japan on the 18th of 543 more
immigrants, who arrived on the 10th.
The Kinai Maru was the third ship arriv-
ing within six weeks, bringing in all ! ,i6.,
Japanese steerage passengers of the labor
ing class, of whom 1.f19 have been sent
back to Japan, and 543 permitted to enter
this country. The new lot were landed at
the quarantine. and Minister Cooper and
Cole ctor Cutie, with four clerical helpers,
at once went to wait on them, with the re-
suit of admitting 1873 of the G16, and re-
shipping to Japan 543. But before these
officials were through, new element inter-
posed. On the 18th three cases of Varioloid
appeared among the immigrants. and later
three more. AS Cooper. Cutie and their
clerks had been in free contact with them
the six officials had to be fumigated and
sent into quarantine They were allowed to
be isolased in Mr.. Castles house at Kapeo-
lani Park, under guard, after being vacci-
mated.
1t was very fortunate that the people had
been detained in quarantine for legal in
vestigation, health rules did not require
that precaution. the ship being twenty days
from port, and only fourteen days being
the time for incubation of smallpox. No
sickness on board had been reported, nor
has the strictest inquiry among the pas
sengers developed any ground for believing
that there was any sickness on the voyage.
Strict Qunrnntfne.
Through the vigilant activity of the ex-
cellent health agents of Hawaii in Japan,
every passenger had been fumigated and
vaccinated before embarking. on account
of the great prevalence Of smallpox in
Japan. The only way Of accounting for the
fact that six passengers were infected
when eight or nine days at sea, seems to
be that clothing of the crew held the in
fection. All clothing of passengers had
been thoroughly disinfected.
1t was a serious Inconvenience for Min
lister Cooper to be laid aside. he being act
ing attorney general in the absence of Min
lister W. o. Smith. Mr.. Smith, however.
arrived from Washington on the 17th and
at once found his hands full. Cooper has
still five days more of isolation. All feel
that Honolulu has been extremely fortu-
nate in not having had the pestilence let
loose in the city. 1t becomes increasingly
evident that, with all their great progress
in the modern arts Of civilization, the Jap
anese are still quite backward in that
degree of vigilance and thoroughness in
sanitary matters which makes it safe TO
depend upon them, or to remit the utmost
vigilance of precaution against the dinu-
sion of pestilence by their numerous steam
ers. Our government has constantly to be
on the alert against the arrival here from
Japanese ports of cholera, smallpox and
bubonic plague. From no other ports ex-
cept those of China, which are more dis
tant, are we at all thus endangered. Japan
proves a perilous center OF contaSion. We
are compelled to maintain a strong staff of
able white doctors in her chief ports, to
examine and diSinfect intending emigrantS
to Hawaii. Our precautions are constantly
liable to invite the wrathful reDrisals of
strong Japan upon our defenSelesS republic.
This commercial center of the Pacific and
meeting place of traffic certainly should
be in strong hands, able to enforce due
sanitary protection of commerce without
fear. Nothing can be more absurd than to
talk of such diminutive state remaining
Independent. and yet able to fulfil the cor
stantiy Increasing heavy duties and re-
sponsibilities devolving on its central and
important position. II Hawaii was off one
side. she might well enough remain indie
pendent. Here in the meeting point of the
vast Pacific commerce, she is compelled as
speedily as may be to cast herself into the
protecting arms Of some. one of the great
powers.
Jnps Going Back.
The Kinai Maru sailed for Japan on the
18th. carrying 5i3 of the GIG people she
brought here Two hundred and twenty
nine other japanese took passage with
them, taking the chances of smallpox
breaking out during the voyage. as it
probably will among those exposed to 1t
while in quarantine OF course, all have
been carefully vaccinated, which will at
least reduce the malady to varioloid type
and avert danger to life. The ship has
hardly any one or board whose English is
fairly 1nteiligibe. Officers, well as
crew, are all japanese. Ship and people
were in an extremely dirty condition when
they arrived All the latter have been well
bathed and fumigated. and start fairly
clean from Honolulu. but will probably
bear washing again when they land in
Japan.
1 have just returned from a five days
absence on q visit to the seaport of Lahai-
ma, which forty or fifty years ago was a
great resort of whale ships. As many as
eighty ships have been seen anchored at
once in the roadstead. Thirty-five years
ago kerosene had run whale oil out of the
market, and that harbor became deserted.
The fertile. irrigated land. which used to
yield sweet potatoes, Squashes, melons,
etc, for the shipping, became gradually
converted into the sugar plantation it now
Is. Two-thirds of the natives have died
out and their homesteads are obliterated.
We had smooth and delightful passages Of
seventy-feve miles each way on steamers
of 80 and $50 tons. Very good tables were
set, only the eating hours were apt to
come in the rougher parts of the channels.
to the discontinue of sea-sick people. We
ccasted nobly along, the mighty mountain
masses of Molokaf and West Maui.
Where the peaks shoulder
The clouds like a yoke"
1t had been an exceptionally dry winter,
and. instead of the usual general verdure
of April, tie slopes were arid and brown
nearly to where the clouds hung. Molokai
looked especially bare to the very peaks.
1000 feet high. A beautiful spotted deer
has multiplied there into thousands. They
have eaten on everything green to the
submits.
Knlakaua's Widow.
As I wrote in the last letter, fully one
half of the state rooms were occupied by