The herald., 1897-05-06
SOME INSIDE FACTS
TOLD BY HAROLD s. CHANNING
OF HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS
The Islanders Badly Scared at Japan
ese Encroachment-T Want
American Protection

Harold S. Charming of Pasadena.
formerly connected with the federal gov
ernment service in this city, hasrecently
returned from a trip to the Hawaiian
islands, during which time he was ac-
companicd by his father.
Mr.. Charming visited the islands in the
interest Of several eastern magazines
for which he obtained much valuable
information, which will be duly publish
ed, accompanied with extensive photo
graphic views.
"Just at this time" said he, several
days ago, when asked regarding the
present status of the islands, while the
attention of the residents of this country
is directed to affairs taking place outside
it's eastern shores and more especially
to the Turko-Grecian war, little thought
is being given to events which threaten
shortly to throw the islands Of Hawaii
into a state of revolution. There is no
doubt that Japan has designs on the
islands and that fact is at present
causing great disquietude, both among
the government officials and the island
| ers themselves. The Japanese have been
quietly shipped into the country and at
present greatly outnumber all other
residents of foreign extraction. Many of
the Japanese are ex-soldiers Of the
China Japan war, which has been con-
clusively proved by the finding Of arms
and ammunition concealed in their
trunks and other baggage.
while it is not thought that the Jap
anese would at present attempt to get
control of the islands by open force, it is
thoroughly understood that they are
quietly adding to their numbers with the
intention of obtaining the right of cuff
rage and by SO doing control the vote and
eventually get possession Of the govern
ment.
1T was this fact which forced the gov
ernment officials to take prompt steps
against further immigration of the little
brown men and pass a prohibitory law
similar in effect to that against the Chi
nese. 1t was the passage of rthat act
which occasioned the visit of the Japan
ese warship Naniwa, which at present
lies in the harbor of Honolulu, and the
United States ship Philadelphia was un-
doubtedly sent there by this government
to protect American interests in. the
event Of an outbreak which was evil
IDENTIFY feared.
"There ig no denying that the people
of the islands are decidedly anxious over
the present condition of affairs, with the
exception of the sugar producers and a
certain proportion Of the English and
German merchants, they are to man
thoroughly in favor Of annexation to the
United States. The sugar industry has
increased enormously and coffee Is also
fast becoming prominent article of
trade. The coffee plantations which are
now coming into bearing are principally
located on the island of Hawaii, and the
flavor Of the berry in my opinion is su-
perior to the best Mocha and Java AL
ready the demand for 1t in this country
far exceeds the supply. One thing which
should recommend the islands favorab bly,
in the eyes of the residents of this coun-
try ie the vast amount of government
land now lying uncultivated and the ex-
tremely low figure at which it can be
purchased. The climate, which is Of a
semi-tropic character, is simply delight
full and crops can be grown at the mini
mum Of cultivation. A protectorate de-
clared by this government would at once
quiet the present scare and then there is
no good reason to prevent the rapid set
tlement of the country by Americans"
Mr.. Claiming spent two months in the
islands, tray ,ling through both Hilo and
Oahu and his examination of the present
conditions and customs of the islanders
was Of the most thorough character.