The San Francisco call., 1903-01-20
LEPER QUESTION
THE MAIN ISSUE
Republicans Of Hawaii
Appeal to National
Committee.
Say Establishment of a Fed
eral Lazaretto Will Iniure
the Party.
Special Correspondents Of The Call.


HONOLULU. Jan. Is.-The proposed
establishment Of Federal leper colony
on the island Of Molokai has aroused the
local leaders of the Republican party
and an appeal has been made by them
10 the Republican National Committee
10 aid in preventing the passage Of the
bill suggested The following letter ad-
dressed TO Chairman Hanna Of the Ma
uonal Committee, fully explains the sit.
uatiOn:
headquarters Of the Republican Territorial
central Committee Of Hawaii All Fort
HONOLULU. T. H. Jan. 10. 1903.
hon. n. A. Hanna, Chairman Republican
National COMMITTEES. Washington D. C.-Dear
SIR The statement has been cabled here
Senators who recently visited the Territory OF
baNan as a commission 10 investigate and
report 10 the Senate upon affairs and condi-
fions IN these islands have recommended that
should b Iacei r,- t - sane ~ o. J- leioSs 15i
treasury Department, also that AL lepers now
on the mainland OF the United States should
De transported TO M0lokai for treatment under
ths sane eot3troi with The lepers OF Hawaii.
. p strongly did We feel upon this subject
thaS our secretary directed send YOU
tne following cabegram the Sth inst:
HONOLULU. Jan 5 1908.
Hon. NJ. A. Hanna Washington. D. c.:
Republican organizations protest against Fed
mainland.
We insist on caring for our own afflicted.
III Is our privilege and duty.
Republican party's pledge 10 this policy
won last election
We are now directed by both the executive
and central committees Of the Republican
party in the Territory Of Hawaii 10 inform
1ou thar the adoption Of any such policy is
strone-y opposed py our people as whole.
asO that IL would be detrimental 10 Repub-
lilan Interests in this Territory and would at
once lose for the party that Political control
which * has so recently secured and mainly
upon this very issue.
The lepers themselves are opposed TO Fed
eral control OF the settlement now established
81 MOlokai. They are averse 10 being thrown
into communication with strangers owing 20
their unfortunate condition due 10 the nature
ot the disease from which they are suffering.
-hey are not like white men Their habits.
1ood and mode OF living different and
these would FIRST have 10 be studied by Fed
eral officials coming IN contact with them
before any good could possibly result from
rhe change suggested.
II is extremely doubtful. moreover. whether
any benefits could be accomplished by placing
tne lepers 0t Hawaii under Federal control
as reference would then be made 10 Washing
ton Ia any cases OF complaint and the long
distance would preclude the possibility of
prompt attention TO their needs and wants
control from a distance would work a hard
ship upon them.
The admission Of ieners from all parts Of
ne Lnlted states. many Of whom are Chinese.
az the most Objectionable features cOntenl-
plated. Averse 10 the presence Of strangers
the lepers Of Hawaii would shrink from sue
nales Nnoin tneE hao never seen or known
gusge.
Heretofore il has been a source Of pride
o. The Government Of these islands to furnish
proper care, comforts and medical attention
have always been regarded as a subject Tor
local control and the pride and responsibility
of the people IN performing this duty COM
pels desire 70 improve their health and
While liawaiians VIII always be glad 10 Sc
cure assistance The study orrra of
this disease (and il is our hope 70 eventually
clear these beautiful islands Of all traces OF
the oisease) We are strongly opposed 10 the
Molokai which would make this Territory for
ever known as ''the leper colony Of America ."
such course would be detrimental to every
social and business interest. II would infure
the sale OF our products and prevent visits
from strangers. who would hesitate TO include
q leper colony In their holiday Itinerary
This entire question was fought out in the
recent political campaign in this Territory.
% congress. Robert ". Wilcox, was defeated
because he had introduced a bill in the House
of Representatives embOdying the same ideas
IS the United States Senate commission
delegate. was elected because he opposed the
Wilcox idea and because ne promised 10 1sse
his Efforts - maintain local control OF our
local trouble. In this he was supported hy
the Hawaiian voters and secured the remark
polls.
Il was unfortunate that the Senate CON-
mission unable 10 personally visit Afolokaf
what is done there BY our local F3osri
cf Health and TO learn the wishes of the
patients directly from themselves at their own
sanitarium.
Trusting that you will give the foregoing
facts your earnest consideration and aid us
ing done 70 our unfortunate fellow citizens in
Hawan. we have the honor TO be, sir. your
obedient servants
cLARENtE l. cRABBE. Chairman.
A l. q ATKINSON. Secretary.