The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1900-01-23
THE CHINESE SIDE.
a Few Remarks on the Burning Of
the Infected District.

a Few Remarks on the Burning of
the Infected District.
Editor Advertiser: have fully real
lied that the past month has been no
time for stirring up strife and conten-
ton, but now that Chinatown has been
destroyed by fire ask you TO publish
this communication. which not only
voices my personal sentiments. but the
majority of the Chinese who have been
affected. 1 also fully appreciate the
fact that a newspaper is a powerful
agent in moulding public opinion, and
as the local papers have almost unan-
imously blamed the Chinese for the So
called plague, 1 believe it is no more
than right that all the facts come TO
light.
1t is claimed that the plague has
been introduced into Honolulu by the
shipping of Oriental freight. Let us
assume for the sake OF argument that
this fact is true. i am reliably in
formed that attention was called to the
Board Of Health last June that certain
Oriental ports were infected with
plague, and the Board then and there
adopted resolution that all Oriental
freight should henceforth be thorough
iy fumigated before its delivery to con-
signees in Honolulu, and the former
president of the Board was detailed to
carry the regulation into effect. I am
Qlzn TQIfQhIy iWfnwr,ar.I H.
if any, Oriental freight has been so
fumigated. Now, If this is true. why
place the blame upon the Chinese? A
great deal more might be said upon
this matter, and will be said, If the
persons who have neglected their duty
in this respect desire to discuss it.
In regard to Saturdays cruelty. I
should like TO state for The benefit of
those who have heard but one side of
this question, that the Consul for the
Chinese has written communications to
the Minister of Foreign Affairs. and
these letters have been referred to the
Board of Health. protesting against the
burning of blocks in China
town, and asking that some OF the
wooden buildings be torn down, and
then burned, thereby lessenfng the dan
ger of destroying buildings that were
never intended to be burned. This pro- /
test and suggestion was never needed
by the Board of Health.
Again, would it not have been using
simply ordinary diligence in first re-
moving the people from the infected
districts and preparing suitable quart /.
ers for them, before burning their
homes, personal effects, and many pri- I
vate papers that money can never re- /
pay?
However, what is done cannot be I'M I
lone, and notwithstanding the cruel .
treatment suffered by some of the .
Chinese on Saturday, they appreciate .
he kindly intention and expression or .
from a great many of the .
'estdents OF Honolulu, and the writer.
Who is one OF those unfOrtunates. has
ost absolutely everything. As I stated
t the beginning of this communica-
ion, believe l voice the sentiment of
majority of the Chinese so affected, /
SIX that justice be done in the prem
ses, and that a speedy and just settle
1ent be made.
Before bringing this to a close want
D express my thanks and admiration
Or the noble work of our Consul and
ice Consul in behalf of the Chinese
n Saturday.
NJ. c. AMANA.
hartman of Chinese Citizens Com
mittee.
Honolulu. January 20, 1900