The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1903-01-13
AGAINST
THE LAZARETTO
STRONG PROTEST AGAINST SEN
ATE COMMISSIONS LEPEB RE
CONTEMPLATION IS SENT

ATE COMMISSIONS LEPER RE
CONTAMINATION Is SENT.
The following appeal to the National
Republican party organization against
making a national lazaretto out of the
leper settlement at Molokai, has been
approved by the Territorial Central
committee, and goes by tOday's mail to
Senator Hanna the chairman of the
committee.
Honolulu n. II. January TO- 1908
Hon. NJ. a. Hanna, Chairman Repub-
lican National Committee Wash
ington, ID. G.
Dear Sir: The statement has been
cabled here from Washington that those
United States Senators who recently
visited the Territory of Hawaii as o.
Commission to investigate, and report
to the Senate upon affairs and condi-
tiOus i'm these islands have recommend
ed that all the lepers now on the island
of MolOkai should be placed under COM
ment, also that all lepers now ou the
Mainland of the United States should
be transported To MOlOkai for treat
ment under the same control with the
lCpers of Hawaii.
So strongly did we feel upon this SUBJ
ject that our secretary was directed TO
send you the Following cablegiam ON
the Sun INST.
Honolulu, January s. 1908.
Hon. NJ. a. Hanna, washington, ID. G..
Republican organizations protest
against Federal supervision and trans
fer of lepers from Mainland.
I'VE insist on caring for our own af-
flicted. 1t is our privilege and duty.
hepuDhcah fdrty pledge To TINS
Polcy won last election.
iSlgned) AINlNSON.
Secretary.
Ne-are now directed by both the
executive ana Central Committees of
the republican Party i'm the Territory
OF taWau TO inform you that the adOp-
ton of any such policy is strongly OPP
posed by our people as a whole, also
that IL would be detrimental TO Repub-
llcan interests i'm this Territory and
would at once lose for the party that
political control which it has so recent
~ secured, and mainly upon this very
issue.
Inc leperS themselves are opposed
to Federal control of the settlement
now established at Molokai They are
aNerse to being thrown into cOmmuni-
cation with strangers, owing to their
unfortunate condition due to the nature
or the disease from which they are
suffering. Ihey are not like white men
lhelr habits, food and mode Of living
are different, and these would first have
To De studied by Federal officials COM
lhs IN contact with them before any
good could possibly result from the
change suggested.
IT Is extremely doubtful, moreover,
whether any benefits could be accom-
pllshed by placing the lepers of Hawaii
under Federal control as reference
would then be made to Washington in
any cases OF complaint and the long
Instance would preclude the possibility
Oh prompt attention TO their needs and
wants. control from distance would
work hardshlp upon them,
Inc admission OF lepers from all parts
or the United states many of whom are
Ohlnese' Porto Rlcans and NorWegians,
W"ouiu De one or the most Objectionable
features contemplated. Averse to the
presence OF strangers the lepers would
SHRINK from sudden contact with hun
uredS OF other unIortunates whom they
hau never seen or known, and who
coulu not even speak their own Ian
SuaSe'
heretofore II mas peen a source OF
prlde TO the government OF these ISL
amos TO lurhlsh proper care, comforts
anu uleulcal attention Tor their untor-
tunate fellow citizens. They have al
ways peen regarded as subject for
local control, and the pride and re-
spohslDlHty OF the people in perform
ing TINS DUTY compels a desire to
improve their health and eradicate the
disease
WhlIe HaWallans Will always be glad
TO secure assistance in the study and
care OF TINS disease (and 1t is our hope
TO eventually clear these beautiful ISL
ahds or all traces OF the disease) we
are strongly opposed to the permanent