New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-07
AMERICAN LABOR FOR HAWAII.
PRESIDENT DOLE's GOVERNMENT TO RE-
MOVE A BAR TO ANNEXATION.


Honolulu April % (SpeciaD.-The Hawaiian Gov
ernment has decided to do all in Its power TO e
place Asiatlc labor the sugar plantations with
white labor thus removing the chief argument
against annexation. Labor Commissioner Fitz-
gerald OF San Francisco. has driven home the last
wedge separating the planter from the traditional
theory that Asatc labor is necessary for the well
fare OF the islands and has laid bare the true
diton of affairs. He has demonstrated to the Gov
ernment that so long Asiatic labor holds sway
In the cane and coffee fields all efforts toward Sc
curing annexation futile.
The planters as anxious now TO get white
labor as they few years ago to secure
Asatcs They have decided to form an Immgra-
ton Bureau. with competent man at It's head. to
seect and secure American laborers for the p.anta-
uons 10 take the places OF Asatcs rapidly as
the latter may be got rid Of Fitzgerald has warned
them against the tramp element. He advises that
the Board sent competent agent to San Francisco
10 select and try the men. giving preference TO
married men, and insisting upon having men OF
honesty and sobriety
Fitzgerald explained the whole scheme to Presi-
dent Dole and his Cabinet officers at special meet
ing yesterday. They went over the situation vita
him. and all agreed that white labor is the only
salvation OF the islands and the best lead toward
annexation. They were unanimously in favo; of
establishing an immigration Bureau, and were
anxious that Fitzgerald should act as the Govern
ments agent In San Francisco but this the Com
missIoher refused TO do as he said he had not the
tir,e to spare. As funds will be available unt.l
the next Legislature meets. IL is probable that the
planters will put up the necessary money and ask
President Dole to select an agent
ilesioent Dole. In an interview. said: II agree
entirely with Mr. Fitzgerald in his views on the
iaoor question in the Islands We want the Amer-
can Iaoorer TO come here and make his home here.
Aslatcs In many instances have been a drawback
10 us. II the American laborer can do the work We
want him as soon can get him. BY establish
ing bureau and selecting only the class of labor
ers from the American market we can do much
TO 3ulld UP the Islands and render relations
with the United States closer"
similar views were expressed by Cabinet Min
enthusiastically in favor of American lmmgra ton
ana all are willing 10 render il their hearty support,
not only morally but financially.
under cultivation here and about 2500l aborers
poyed on IL. The cancfelds in California he says.
under the same conditions could be handled with
mates that the employment OF white laborers would
only increase the wages now paid abou; one-third
transaction. Mr. Fitzgerald said:
"Al labor on sugar plantations can he done bet
ter and cheaper with white labor than japanese.
hut planters must furnish better accommoda tions.
No class here recognizes the need Of change as
much as the coffee planters Coffee planting is
now beyond the experimental period and within
10000 acres OF land producing coffee. No laborers
can be secured for this work under the present
conditions. The picking season lasts for three
months and then the alto OF laborers necessary to
handle the crop must be increased from six to eight
to II whites were employed on the islands on
the sugar plantations their children could do the
all rests with the sugar planter Now is the time
for action, Delay at this time may ruin the
agricultural industries Of the islands. The longer
1t is put off the harder 1t will be TO change the
conditions"