The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-01-20
NO MISTAKE.
Government Did Right
By Annexing Hawaii.

An appreciative audience that COM
fortably filled horticultural hall listen
ed yesterday afternoon to a very inter-
esting lecture, delivered at the invita-
ton Of the society, by Mr.. John Far
quhar, of the firm of r. & ]. Farquhar
OF Boston. Mr.. Farquhar took as the
subject of his remarks Hawaii and the
| material of the lecture was that gath
cred by him during his trip to the Ha-
waiian islands last summer.
The lecture was one that gave spec
lal attention to matters of horticultural
interest, but was nevertheless of general
| interest to all who enjoy hearing of
foreign lands and their inhabitants.
The lecture was illustrated by large
number of we'll selected views, showing
scenery and people Of theislands in a
remarkably vivid manner. Mr.. Far
quhar's talk was a somewhat discurs-
i've one, which lost none of it's attrac-
tiveness for that reason.
The agricultural industries of the ISL
ands were1 given a very complete ex-
ploitation, and, according to the speak
er, there is the best possible opportun-
lty there for investment of American
capital and brains The coffee indus
try especially is one that affords an
immense field of investment and is
capable of yielding tremendous profits
in the near future.
The principal agriculturists of the
island are the Chinese and Japanese,
who have great market gardens, and
supply the cities of the islands. Sugar
is the staple product of the islands.
There are 500,000,000 pounds produced
annually. The cane is 1oated down
from the mountain plantations in
Hum Ifo11 ItrIl4 IL
for the purpose. Water power is very
plentiful in the islands, the rainfall in
the mountain districts being from 175
to 200 inches annually.
Mr.. Farcuhars remarks on the sub
ject of the natural beauties of the ISL
ands were listened to very attentively,
and his descriptions of the scenery, es-
pecially in the region Of the volcano,
was very highly appreciated. Honolu-
lu is at present the most important
town, but Hilo, ON the island of the
same name, is 300 miles nearer San
Francisco, and will in time be the CEN
trail city, as it's natural location is far
superior to that of the present capt.
.al.
The Island of Molokai is the far-fam-
ed leler settlement, which is the prison
home of 1900 victims of the dread dis
ease. I,eprosy was introduced into the
islands about 40 years ago, and is not
indigenous to the islands, as many
people suppose. Nearly all the objec-
tlonable features they exhibit are the
result of Importation, even mosquitoes
having been brought from South Am
erica some years ago.
The climate of the country is very
equable, the temperature in the city
of Honolulu never rising above 80, or
falling below so degrees Fahrenheit
The speaker told of meeting some of
the volunteers of the United States
forces in the islands, when there last
! summer, and he stated that at that
time the men were very insufficiently
| fed, and were really suffering in The
midst of plenty At present, however,
| he learns by letter that reforms have
been made.
| In closing, he said that he felt that
| there had been no mistake made by the
government in anneXing the Hawaiian
| islands, for he was convinced that they
would prove some of the most valuable
of our possessions. He said that he had
| had it from no less authority in a per-
sonal interview, than the Japanese sec
rotary of foreign affairs. that the Jap
| anese government was very anxious to
get possession of the islands, and would
have done so had not the United States
i been there first
| Mr.. Farquhar said that he thought
lit a mistake to annex the Philippines,
and hoped that we would not do so, but
would cultivate the commerce of the
4 Philippines, which he was inclined to
think would be valuable in the future.
He was, however convinced that 1t
| would be very unwise to annex the ISL
| ands. In the case of the Hawaiian ISL
ards, on the other hand, he was con-
WINGED that no mistake had been made