The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1902-05-10

gress. who visited the Island of Ha-
wall at Hilo. had a practical expert
ence in the difficulties OF securing work
for white labor as against the Asiatic
competition. This Congressman wished
To help three sons of one of his farmer
constituents. They wished to make a
start, and were willing to work for
the wages paid the Chinese. for sl5 per
month. But the plantations would not
take them at that low rate. The Con-
gresham stated to the plantation own
ers that each one OF these young men
was worth three Asiatics. But the
planters said II was not a question of
ability to work. but that one white man
would introduce a bad precedent for
the employment OF white labor. So the
planters agreed not TO employ white
labor. except as overseers, managers,
bookkeepers. blacksmiths, and other
skilled branches. For the common la
Dor they do not want labor that ex-
poets good treatment and good ac-
commodations.
TWO GREAT EXTREMES.
The effect of these conditions is to
give two extreme classes. one very high
and the other very low. The Asiatic
coolie labor makes up one extreme. and
the sugar corporations. with all the
make up the other extreme. What Ha-
wall needs is something between these
extremes. a substantial middle class
made up of farmers and others inter
ested i'm the development Of the coun
try. The difficulty over Asiatic labor
VIII be reduced in time. for the or
ganic law prohibits the coming of more
Chinese. and the immigration authori !
ties. under the law, are reducing the
immigration OF Japanese.
The time when Hawaii viii apply for |
statehood in the American Union is !
still far ahead. Much remains To be |
done under the territorial system. |
County organizations and county laws
must be established. with local organi-
cations after the American system.
with Mayors. Aldermen. etc. The Ha-
waiians seem to enjoy political life. and
they like the idea OF electing their own
to carry on their local
affairs. The population has increased
steadily since annexation. Under the
last census il was $4,000; now it il
probably 100000. but about 10000 of
these are Asiatics. who have no vote.
Honolulu is growing rapidly since an
lexation. When the Islands were an
lexed Honolulu had $4,000 people Now
he city has 10000. mostly Americans
~ birth.
There is an Improvement in the con-
iitions between the native-born Ha-
vaiians and the foreign born popula-
ion. and racial feeling Will. in time
disappear There is a natural feeling
N both sides in favor Of their own
seople. but each side is tolerant and
air.
ANNEXATION PROFITABLE.
The experience OF Hawaii seems 10
how tina, Porto Rico and Cuba should
Dee annexed 10 the United States. They
re in much the same position as Ha-
vail. being near this country. and both .
,eing Interested in sugar production.
ome o. our Hawaiian sugar planters
ave opposed Cuban annexation on the
round that IL would bring in great
uantities Of Cuban sugar free of duty. 1
% the ruin OF Hawaiian sugar. But :
think this fear Is not well founded :
: Hawaii Will always D. able to mar
- her sugar in the West. As a gen
raj proposition the same reasons that
lade il desirable 20 annex Hawaii :
rake il desirable 10 annex Cuba and -
orto Rico. =
But the experience in annexlng Ha-
ali has little OF no bearing on the
hiliDp.ues. as the islands are so far
.prs the American mainland with dir-
rent PEOPLE and different customs. E
~ nothing in common with A0a--- a
ans The Christian religion prevails Il
trough Hawaii, among the natives pI
M foreign born. Cuba and Porto e.