The times., 1898-10-02
A RooL on Haxvaif.

new possessions comes Hawaii and
Revolution" by Mary II. Krout. This
book. contains the personal experiences
of the author as a correspondent in the
Sandwich Islands, during the crisis of
1893 She says that when she visited the
islands first she went prejudiced in favor
Of the natives and sympathizing with
them because they seemed TO have been
deprived of their rightful possessions. A
study OF the situation on the spot led her
to change her views, and TO regard the
changes as absolutely necessary, and on
the whole wise and beneficial
IN the introduction short history Of
the islands is given, and the crises of
1857 and 1893, the revolution of 1885, and
the present situation are briefly re-
viewed. Then come the experiences of
the writer, told in an entertaining and
informal way, and containing, among de-
scriptions of the island, the people. and
the political conditions, a great deal of
interesting and valuable information.
The personal views and feelings of the
writer come out here and there in a way
that \ not exactly artistic, may
esting to many readers. For instance,
there is a lively description of the inter
view which she had with the publisher
Of the newspaper upon whose staff she
was employed. This gentleman seems not
TO have believed in the feasibility or use
fuIness of her scheme TO report the crisis
in the Hawaiian Islands. and she reports
cal air, whether she supposed that any
body was interested in Hawaiian politics.
To this she replied that It was not Ha-
waiian but international politics which
were concerned in this case. a statement
which has proved TO be true. The only
reason for the Introduction of this con-
versation, apparently, is a very feminine
desire 10 let that publisher know that
she told him so" We are also informed
that thanks TO her thorough domestic
training, the author did not need TO spend
much time in mending her clothes TO have
them ready for the voyage, another bit of
information which may appear superfiu-
Gus. There is. a little further on. a de-
tailed account OF the way in which she
sprained her ankle and jeopardized her
chances Of going on her expedition at all
Owing 10 this incident she did not arrive
On the scene till the queen mad been de
lLlNLtl dlG Lle american nag raised
over the Islands. and then she went on
crUtches. The first seventy-two pages of
the book are consumed in this sort of
personal "reminiscences and those who
are in a hurry 10 read about Hawaii will
do we'll TO begin with the third chapter
Ia the fourth chapter iE given a detail
ed account Of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel
in Honolulu. This account may interest
people intending 10 visit the islands The
hotel was a remarkably cosmopolitan af-
fair, for the proprietor was English; the
day clerk Portuguese married TO
japanese lady; the night clerk was
Chinese; the head steward was an Alsa-
tian, married 10 q Partisan woman: the
cock was Greek; the barber a German:
one OF the bell boys came from the
Canary Islands. and the others from the
Azores The diplomatic representatives
OF various countries. as we'll as American
and English tourists, made up a hetero-
gereous asSernblaee Of guests.
The contract labor system as II exists
IN Hawaii Is described as follows:
The japanese government received certain
sum for every man permitted 70 leave the empire
"A pretty substantial source Of revenue when
Tie number increased as il did steadily When
the men arrived IN Honolulu they were selected
by their employers and taken TO the plautations
on me other Islands Eacn man received Sl5
Wchlh- house, fuel. water and fTae madicsl
attendance Women received S13 per month and
were employed chiefly in the mills as feeders
Opponents Of the system condemned II without
reservation, declaring il TO be but little improve
mont upon negro slavery as il prevailed in the
Southern States before the war There was in
reality- very great difference, with all the ad-
vantage IN favor Of the Japanese feldhand lie
could return 10 his native country at the ey-
plratlon Of his three wears period Of s-Iyice. he
could not be separated from his family: no 80. c:es
O. force was permitted on the part Of the plant
ers, Who II they so much as lad 4 fnge- nm II.
h.
assault and, in such instances. il wls rare
thing for the verdict 10 be given for the de
fendsnt With the warm climate, hut little fire
or clothing was required; the iaborer had aiways
his garden. and lived upon rice whi.h i very
cheap; upon what he raised. and unon Wild
bananas. that could be had in the forests fer the
gathering A careful system Of bookkeeping vas
carried on at the japanese consulate in Honolulu
where has savings were deposited. and an account
was kept q the due him, which WIS paid
him, with interest at the rate Of per cent at
the end OF the three years. The JapancSe WIS
frugal and temperate, and il rarely happened that
he returned TO Japan empty handed. Instead OF
regarding II as a sort of bondage the Janlnese
iaborer was glad TO go TO Hawaii. where he could
live comfortably and cheaply. and his government
was willing 10 profit by MS temporary absence.
In another chapter the houses and
habits" Of Honolulu are described, and
one receives the impression that this
island city is a very delightful place of
residence. The author says:
Everywhere. even in the smallest grounds. there
are lawns q thick Bermuda grass, which in the
rainy season is OF velveiy greenness It should be
explained that there is not q definitely markell
rainy and dry season. The trade winds How
nine months in the year; In December, JanuaJv
and February they cease. setting in again in
March The first week after their arrival
seems 10 be devoted to a general clearing m
The trades come with terrific roar and blow
day and night without ceasing for week or
little less People prefer, then, 20 remain in the
house with the doors and windows closed When
the wind Gains down 10 a normal velocity. il is
seen that dead leaves, dead branches. and even
dead grass have been blown away. and the cffet
is something like that of the yerHal equinox in
the temperate zones. There are frequent iains
throughout the Summer, but the rainfall is heav-
Ter in the Winter, although there are many fair
days ThunderStorms are SO rare 20 be phcn-
omenal There are no extremes Of heat and cold
such prevail in the United States when tie
tOrrid Summer. relaxing and ting, may be
followed by Winter Of arctic severity: the maxi
mum heat is "A Fahrenheit in the Winter and 81
In the Summer; the lowest Winter temperature
Is Sc.
The houses are built with verandas in the frcnt
and in the rear and frequently upon all four
rides On these yerandas or in the lanai the
family practically lives The front door stands
wide open from morning till night and there Is
Z Chinese or japanese servant waiting about to
announce you when YOU arrive. Sometimes the
servant is dispensed with and If a doorben is
lacking you may find a small handbel placed
within convenient reach and this Won viii
gently tinkle and put back in its appointed
place. The grounds about the houses on the main
avenues are extensive, and are filed with many
varieties OF palms, tropical ferns crotons. lilies
and masses Of tuberOses Notwithstanding tbs
dense masses Of foliage there is no underground
and no litter anywhere from dropping twigs or
withered leaves; the marvellous luxuriance with
the apparent absence Of all fading and decay
forms part of the wonders that continually con