The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1901-11-24
NO COLOR Line IN HAWAII.
WHITE, BLACK, BROUN. YELLOW
IN HONOLULU'S FOUR HUNDRED.
Tn Darker the Hawaiian the Prouder TIC
s-M Ceiors IN an Equality AT So
ctaI Entertainments -Wonen's strife
Ter Supremacy-Nixture OF Blood.


HONOLULU, Nov. 10. Black and whits
and yellow and brown are On n social
equality in the Hawaiian Islands. The
action OF President Roosevelt in inviting
Booker T. Washington TO dinner caused
no offence here, where the social conditions
are probably the most peculiar OF any
where in the United States.
The small population. its isolated position
and the few whites in the metropolis OF tho
South Sea are conditions that have eRectu-
ally wiped out all social distinctions and
racial prejudices, 90 that to-day American.
Hawaiian and negro sit down at the Same
table with Japanese and Chinese and with
never a thought Of the propreties.
The Hawaiian has. il is true. a skin OF
sombre hue, but the darker the color ths
prouder he IL Of his social status. Theirs
are many wealthy natives here who move
in the best social circles. and the issue OF
the Blue Book" for tho first time a few
days ago disclosed the fact that the -Four
Hundred" of the city was made up OF black
and White and yellow and brown.
The most prominent attorney and thS
BEST speaker in the islands is a negro, and
he IL much in demand upon every public
occasion. This h I. McCants Stewart,
who IL also prominent in the Repuhlican
party. His political influence is due not
only 20 his own undoubted ability, but also
to his color, which gives him Influence
over the natives.
There are at least four score Chinese
citizens. merchants and the like, who movs
in the best society. and arr rated ae
anywhere from 100000 to 100000 when
wealth is taken as a factor. They give
expensive entertainments, TO which the
f,pot nramiDaDt nADnla ara invited.
The hospitality of the famous An fong
family il well known, particularly among
ARM and navy officers, who have often
been their guests. There are quite a num-
her ~ Chinese in the islands ~ equal wealth
and prominence ~ the All Fongs and iuss
as much sought after for social favors.
The japanese are also no small factor
in the prosperity Of the islands and there
are many, with large accqmnlations o,
distinction regarding them, though they
very rarely entertain.
Last Saturday and Sunday the japanese
celebrated the golden anniversary OF the
Mikado's birth and the Observance partook
Of all the Formally ana dignity for WHOM
the Orientals are noted. No invitations
We're extended 10 the people Of any other
notion, II being regarded as a celebration
purely japanese.
Among the Hawaiians there is tbs
greatest rivalry for social distinction.
Princess Theresa. who is the wife of Dele
gate to Congress Wilcox, seeks the highest
donors on account Of her official position.
The ex-Queen, Liliuokalani, who Is about
TO visit Eastern friends in the States, ~
still the recognized leader among her own
people. and Mrs. WilcoX's prominence Is
disputed by several other ladies.
Mrs. De Fries, who also bears the tito
Of Princess, has stirrCd up n hornets nest
by her assumption Of social hpnors and ~
being attacked upon all sides. Princess
Tbn,nua Nthn IL bar chief nInODpnt in tlA
race for social prestige. has not only dis
puted her rights. but has started a news
paper To carry IN the fight.
Princess Theresa by the way, IL the real
leader Of the Home Rule party, which IL
dominant in local polite, aud j. said 10
exceed her husband, the ID 'legate TO Com
gress. in ability 10 control tie party. She
attends all the councils of the party. and
as the editor and publisher of the HONS
Rvte Republican. possesses considerable
influence.
She soundly bcrated the other members
Of the Central Committee AT a recent meet.
ing, for their inactivity, ard l. recognized
now as being the leader Of the party who
must he consulted before any project may
be launched. Her newspaper = pub
lished. half in Hawaiian and half IN Eng
lish, and 40 far has been devoted prln-
cipally TO attacks upon Mr. De fres's
assertions about her royal p"digrse.
There are in all hardly more than 10000
whites in the city of Honolulu and a goodly
part Of them are trau-i"uts. who cannot
be- called citizens The prominent societv
people are among the descendants 81 ths
old missionaries, and they mingle freely
with the other nationaltie- In a social way.
The social peculiarit.es Of he plac" are
further augmc.t-d bl the Unlimited num-
Ter Of queer marriage mixtures A man.
color here l. 10 luurN 10 III nationality
Hawaiian. CHiur-a. American. French.
japanese. Portuguese, spanish and African
arr 30 intermiuglod that any attempt
accurately 10 Distinguish one from he
other would H. ab-o.u'cly mpoaSlb.e