The evening times., 1899-10-28

Just what the condition in the Hawaiian
Islands is at the present time, and what
the natives think of their new parent Gov
ernment, was explained today by several
of the islanders who are in this city on
their way home. The party consists of the
delegation Of ministers who represented
the churches of the islands at the Congre-
gational Convention at Boston in Septem-
ber. There are six members of the de.ega-
the head. They came here to pay their
respects to the President and they had an
interview with him yesterday afternoon.
DIR. Emerson, in speaking of the rela-
tions between the United States and the
islands, established by annexation, said
that, as far as he is able to judge. the best
of feeling prevails among the Hawaiians
toward the United States. He believed
that the union would ultimately result in
making Hawaii a great State.
The people of the islands, said Mr..
Emerson, ARE anxious to have voice in
the administration OF their own affairs.
and as far as my observation goes ii leads
me to believe that large majority of them
desire a territorial form of government,
similar TO that now in operation in some
parts of the United States. For the future
the people look toward Statehood, when
they may have representation in the Ma
tional Congress.
When annexation was first considered,
the natives were somewhat anxious, and
they did not know what was in store for
them. They are now. however, entirely
satisfied, and recognize the necessity, or at
least the desirability of the change"
In speaking of contract labor Mr.. Emer-
son said
Contract labor is not so bad a thing as
II has been represented. As general
thing the laborers are well treated, but oc-
casionally, instances are found where some
of them have been brutally treated. Such
instances. however are comparatively rare.
The contract labor system is, perhaps, a
natural outgrowth of general conditions in
the Islands. Chinese and japanese labor
ers seeking employment, go to the islands
where they are unknown TO the planters
and owing TO the scarcity of workmen, and
in order to make sure of thair services, it
has been found necessary to bind them by
an agreement. Many of them, removed
from their wives and families, fall into evil
ways. After their days work they have no
home TO go TO, except the camp provided
for them on the plantation, which inevita-
bly, results in evil.
tfdNdlIdn ENdHSe!lcdl Sp-itlH,
with which l am connected, is doing all
that il can to ameliorate the condition o.
the laborers, and has adopted tie plan OF
sending agents or missionaries to each
plantation to teach the Christian rsli zion
in the English language This form of
campaign has been productive OF much
good, and l think it will cont nue. 10 exer-
else beneficial influence. The p an pur-
sued has been to make application to the
society to establish himself at the labor
ers' camps, where in the evenings he can
instruct the workmen. The planters are
willing to readily grant such al app lea
tion and pay such agents from Sl5 to $50
per month, recognizing that the inf ence
ezerted by them is money in their pock-
ets.'
Owing to the constantly increasing
number of Asiatics in the islands," con-
tinued Mr. Emerson, there is but small
opportunity for American mechanics. un-
less they are prepared TO submit to the
competition of cheap labor. There is,
however. a broad field for capital in the
sugar and coffee industry
Mr.. Emerson said he believes that there
will be a development of the profit or crop
sharing system now in vogue to great
extent in this country. He thought the
proposed Pacific cable a necessity which
will not only place the local government
of Hawaii in close touch with the Govern
ment in Washington. but which will be of
great commercial benefit to the islands
He expressed the belief that there is a
field for new steamship lines. in the island
trade, and said that several have already
been projected.
Rev. S. L. Desha, who is one of the
party. and who is a native pastor of the
church at Hilo. said that the sentiment of
his people was that they should have a
government in which the natives have a
voice. Among the Hawaians." he said
there are intelligent and capable men,
who could, with credit fill positions of
trust. We want to have a governor who
feels a desp Interest in the Hawaiian peo-
nle. man who does not understand the
state of mind of those people. who can
not enter into their feelings and sympa-
thize with them. cannot make a success as
governor of the islands. The present gov
ernment Is the cleanest We have ever had
But We believe We have native Hawaiians
who know all the needs of the people and |
love them better than any foreigner could" |
The party's visit to Washington is not |
attended with any political significance, |
the object in coming here being simply |
to pay respect to the President. The mem
bers of the delegation prefer to be looked
upon in the light of a religious body |
rather than political one. They will leave
next week for San Francisco.