The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1905-10-18
AMERICANIZATION AND LABOR
(By Henry E. Highton.)
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Editor Advertiser: Having takeI
some part in the discussion OF the e2
elusion law in it's relation to Hawall
may 1 be permitted to add few sup
! Elementary observations?
| Lately Judge Dole, out of the stores
| of his wide experience and SOUND
thought, prepared and published valu
! able contribution to the cause OF Amer
| icanism in Hawaii, which his answer to
Judge Hart s interesting paper com
pletes. communication by Secretary
| Atkinson to the New York Independent
| has also been reprinted which clearly
| presents the argument In favor OF cltl
zen labor and sustains the policy OF the
| multiplication of homes, through the
| distribution of land.
In reference to this subject, however,
| it seems to me that there are practical
questions to be considered that ought
to be Immediately decided.
There are two points to be kept IN
view:
1. The most earnest and definite en-
enlargement to the introduction OF c1tl-
Z60S ana OF GLASSES VI dl1tnS WIN eti =
eligible to citizenship is absolutely es-
sential to territorial progress. Inc
natural result of annexation, much re-
tarded through local causes, is Amerl-
canization. President Roosevelt, quoted
by Secretary Atkinson, struck the KEY
note. when he insisted on development
along traditional American lines
This is exactly what genuine American
0r1lnn
tends in this direction should and will
command the endorsement OF Amer1-
cans. of all extractions, both here and
on the mainland.
But the labor necessities of the sugar
plantations can and must be met
This most important of all Hawaiian
industries demands and is entitled to
receive adequate protection. As l have
previously observed, the labor situa-
ton of today was anticipated when
annexation took place, and the good
faith of Congress and, therefore, of the
people of the United States, was viz
tually pledged to all legislation, under
the Constitution, necessary to solve
the existing problem.
That problem is, How to extend clti-
zenship, to multiply homes, and to fos-
ter diversified industries, and, at the
same time meet the labor demand on
the plantations. This question has to
be dealt with on exact lines, and It's
determination requires harmony amt
concentration.
There are four ways in which 1T has
been suggested that unskilled labor
for the cane-fields can be obtained:
First, through the introduction OF c1tf-
zens. actual or potential, who are able
and willing to make homes for them
selves and fill the places of Aslat1cs;
second, through the introduction of the
same class or classes. to grow cane I'M
der contract on limited areas of land;
third, by a modification of the exclu-
sion law, permitting the importation
into Hawaii of a limited number or
Chinese under close and effective re-
strictions; and, fourth, by a combina-
ton of all these various methods.
Now the Planters Association un-
doubtedly represents large amount
of capital, unprecedented success IN the
production of sugar, ana wide and deep
knowledge and experience in every de-
partment of the business. so vital TO
the Territory and so important to the
mainland, and its attitude on these
should be influential and
probably controlling. The main thing
lacking is distinct expression of its
views and its wants.
If the demand for unskilled laborers !
can be filed by citizens or by aliens
qualified for citizenship, that is an end
of the discussion and no other action |
is required but to facilitate that kind |
of immigration. 1t has been, how |
ever, almost endlessly reiterated that |
this class of labor can not be procured, !
that Americans or persons fit to be- !
come Americans, of every hue, either !
can not or will not toll in the cane, |
and there certainly is a pride of citi- |
zenship that, as a factor in the ques- |
ton, it is difficult to ignore. What |
then is the truth about this matter? |
1t appears to me that it is up to the |
Planters Association to answer.
Is the contract system possibles To |
some extent, it has been tried. Would |
this plan, assiduously followed, end the |
Here, again, decisive infor
nation is within the breast of the |
Planters Association.
If neither of these methods of treat !
ment is sufficient, or if they are made
luate, what is there left but resort to |
It is easy to fall between two stools.
Hating between diverse opinions IS
another mode of expressing the aphor
sm. Is anything to be done or is the
present condition to be left to take
,are of itself' If the Chinese are
wanted, then rapid and systematized
movement is imperative.
The long session of Congress begins
n December. Exclusion viii be
heme and subject Of national legis
alton. What is to be the attitude of
Hawaii or is it to take any attitude at
III? Generalities will accomplish moth
ng. The aim must be specific, and the
work direct and pointed, or, if relief
through a modification of the exclusion
aw is desirable, it will fail.
It is certain that the general policy
f excluding Asiatics from the United
states viii not be changed but inten-
fled. Upon this point, American
Judgment is substantially united. 1t
S credibly stated that, acting for its
wn interests, Japan favors the ex-