The times., 1901-06-09
AN EXODUS TO HAWAII.
Increasing Movement of Porto
Ricans to Labor on Plantations.

10 t4aDOE on Plantations.
The movement of Porto Ricans to Ha-
wall is assuming considerable proportions
and is arousing great interest among
those who have been devoting their at
tention to conditions in the new possess
sions. Owing to the application of the
immigration laws to Hawaii, the sugar
planters have been depriV ed of their for
mer supply of labor from the Orient The
proposition to take American negroes
from the South to the islands is not look
ed upon with favor and the few that have
gone there have not been of a class to
change this attitude on the part of the
Hawaiian people
Owing to the uncertain status Of the
new possessions, the Treasury Depart
ment has been very chary in its handling
of this Porto Rican movement. Whether
this attitude will be changed By the Su-
preme Court decisions, is yet to be de-
termned. AS it is now, and has been
since the sugar planters commenced to
move these people, the Porto Ricans are
not allowed 70 land in the United States
and scatter throughout the mainland.
They go from Porto Rice to Hawaii via
New Orleans. They are shipped from
New Orleans to San Francisco practically
in bond, the same as Chinamen. They are
put in special cars under the care of a
responsible keeper and are delivered in
bulk to the steamship company at the
San Francisco wharves.
There have been some complaints rs to
the manner in which this immigration
was handled. AS a result the Hawaiian
government has made an investigation
of the matter, and the Porto Ricans have
sent several well known men to accom-
pany these shipments and find out what
the prospects were for their people after
landing in Hawaii One of these men
has recently made a report, and he seems
well satisfied that the Porto Ricans have
been unusually well treated, that they are
going to a favorable climate, to work to
which they are accustomed, and to peo-
pie who will take kindly interest in
their welfare. In speaking of his trip
with a recent shipment, he said:
The Hawaiian planters looked after
the emigrants well from the moment of
their recruiting until they were placed on
the plantations where they are to work
Horses were provided for those who had
to come any distance to Guanica, to the
point OF embarkation in Porto Rico. SoLIe
of the people had to wait at Guanica as
long as eight weeks for the vessel that
was to carry them to New Orleans. J. Tr-
ing their wait they were supplied 't-h
all necessaries, and even tobacco an g--
gars. At San Francisco the women wtr-c
given calico for the making of garments
for themselves. Whether these things
will be deducted from the pay of the
laborers later on does not at present ap-
pear. The officers of the steamship were
very kind and attentive, and the doctor
gave close attention to the passengers.
AT home these people were paid 20
cents a day. In Hawaii they are to re-
FefVp SiD rnCn1D for the first wear ana
for the second year s17 a month, with
free house and water. The house is no
small part of this bargain in view Of the
size of some of the families; for instance,
one planter 70 secure the head of family
provides shelter for sixteen relatives, in
Guiding a grandmother. OF the 522 people
in a recent shipment, go were women and
children the latter below the age of ff-
made in Hawaii about the women and
children, especially the latter, as they be-
come charge upon the public eduea-
tional fund, but as they seem to be
desirable class of Immigrants there is lit
tie real protest against their coming"
The Porto Kicdn planters are opposing
this emigration to Hawaii They have
spread all kinds of stories about the ISL
ands, especially as to the wild beasts and
snakes which they allege make life
uncomfortable There is no danger of a
marked shortage of labor in Porto Rico
although it is possible there will nee
essarily be an increase In wages. which
will not be a serious calamity in cOun-
try where wages are now at a minimum.
Nearly 4.0O0 Porto Ricans have already
reached Hawaii. Ten thousand have been
contracted for by the Hawaiian planters.
This number, ii is estimated, viii supply
the temporary needs of Hawaii for labor
on the sugar plantations. and the oppor-
tunity to secure these people from Porto
Rico Is looked upon as the solution of
what threatened to become most seTi-
OflS nrObiRTn