The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1899-10-24
THE n. Y. SUNS CRITICISM.

The New York Sun, in a long edi-
torial in its issue of Sept. 18th, severe
Iy criticises Mr.. Dole, because he had
said in an interview that, Secretary
Hay was not thoroughly informed as
to the lines on which we are working
here" The Sun chose 10 regard this
remark as a piece Of impertinence and
accordingly abuses the local Executive.
The New York Sun has always been
friendly to Hawaiian interests and to
the Dole Government. Why it should
select this remark of Mr. Dole's as a
reason for making an attack upon him.
is certainly not easy of explanation
Had it been better informed the
Sun would not only not have
made the severe comments it has
made, but would have, on the other
hand, sympathized with the trials and
tribulations of governing territory
which takes orders from three separate
ment, which, through lack of time, do
not always work in harmony.
The Sun did not know, when it made
it's comment on Mr.. Dole's conduct,
that, at the time of annexation he
carefully framed questions on many
doubtful points, and asked to be guided
from Washington. Could there have
been a better forethought, or more
g l.
guided by President Mckinley?
The State Department answered
these questions, through Mr.. Sewall,
and among other replies, told the local
Government to continue the admins
tratiOn of the land laws as they are
part of the municipal laws. And so
the administration continued, until
the sqflatters made a movement tow
ards raising their sovereignty on Ha-
waii, and defeating the homestead laws.
Secretary Hay without taking the
trouble to find out what his predeces-
sor had advised and. directed, took a
new attitude in the matter, due to his
own examination of the case, and,
without, it seems, being acquainted
with the directions given by his pre-
decessor. His views were followed by
the opinion of the Acknowledgement,
and the proclamation of the President,
overthrowing the instructions asked
for and given at the time of annex
alton.
Under these circumstances what
would the Sun have said if it held Mr..
Dole's responsible position? Would it
have confined itself to the mild Ian
guage used by Mr.. Dole when he said
1.-The Secretary is not thoroughly in
formed as to the lines on which we
have been working here that is, the
Secretary is not thoroughly informed
as to the contents of documents in his
own Office.
Mr.. Dole, manifestly bound to show
respect to the opinions of his superior
officers, could hardly nave said less
than he did, or with less offense.
The Sun in his place would have
lost it's temper, and taken it's usual
course Of abusing the Federal Execu-
tive.
Nor would the Sun have said what
it has, if it had known that the land
laws, which the local Executive have
been administering, up to the time OF
the Presidents proclamation, are in
favor of American civilization. and in
tended to secure it. Their suspension
has already partially stopped some de-
sirable immigration and in a period OF
transition when American settlers are
sorely needed 1t may be said with
the utmost respect, that neither the
President nor his secretaries, have the
time to study our local situation. They
10 not as we'll as the majority of oul
own people do not, comprehend that
every hour the Asiatic forces are in
creasing in these Islands, and that
soon, by the sheer force of numbers
and intelligence, will make themselve!
felt. The only practical way to meet
not an invasion of Asiatics, but a ma
tural and peaceful growth Of influence
is by establishing American settlers
The laws which promote this settle
ment are now suspended. The grea
tracts on Hawaii are closed to lease OF
purchase. The American farmer il
turned away. In the mean time tn,
other and prominent races are increas
ing and every hour taking bette
grip on our social assets. What woult
the Sun say, if it knew the situation