The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1906-02-14
BALL TALKS
ABOUT LABOR
Says That Japs Are Not
to Be Depended
Upon.

fronting the sugar planters and citi-
zens of the Hawaiian Islands, and
upon its satisfactory solution will de-
pend all future values therein.
| That Chinese coolies are the best and
most dependable that can be utilized
for cane culture. there is no doubt;
but, inasmuch as the powers that be
have issued the fiat that precludes
the further discussion of the imme-
date or even remote prospect of relief
from that quarter, such source of Ia
Dor supply should be summarily dis
missed for good. 'Tis true that the is
! lands are fairly we'll supplied with
Japanese and Korean coolies, but they
! are migratory, and their stay can only
/ be depended on until they can better
their financial condition by transfer
ring to the mainland where wages are
/ higher.
1t is the history of all coolie emil
grants to this country. oft repeated,
| that they come to receive and not to
give; that they come to fill their peck
cts and then betake themselves hence;
that their function is to fasten them
selves as parasites to the American
people and sap their life blood; and it
makes no difference whether the coolie
be Japanese, Korean or Italian, the
same inevitable result will follow.
Probably no American community is
more converstant upon the shortcomings
of coolie labor and of it's demOralizing
effects than Hawaii, yet there seems
, to be a yearning to still follow in the
path that will eventually lead to the
utter and complete undoing of it's So
cial and financial fabric.
I have noted with surprise the eff
forts to be made to introduce italian
coolies into the islands This conclu-
sion was evidently arrived at from
sheer desperation. Be it known that
no greater calamity could befall the is
lands than to introduce therein Itali-
an coolies even though from northern
Italy. They are unwelcome guests OF
whom the most lenient community
soon tires. They are ignorant, untidy,
unkempt, filthy and loathsome. 2They
are barnacles that will soon befoul any
community. They are quick-tempered,
irascible quarrelsome and dangerous.
To them, when wrought up, life or
property has no value They are su-
perstitious, clannish, erratic and spon-
taneous, yea, a suitable firebrand. They
come not to asSimilate or imbibe or
take on American ways and customs.
neither do they care even to learn the
English language. Their mission is to
hoard up their earnings and return to
Italy with their savings They live on
the barest necessaries of life. most of
which comes from Italy. They do not
patronize. neither do they spend their
earnings among Americans. Truly may
it be said of the Italian coolie that it
is more blessed with him to receive
than to give.
Now in regard to the plan on foot to
introduce Portuguese coolies from the
Azores Islands and whereabouts at the
estimated cost to the planters of about
$50 per head. I have naught to say
against this class of laborers so far
as their efficiency is concerned, but an
important question arises in cOnnec-
ton with their introduction I have no
doubt that thousands may be induced
to locate in the islands when it be-
comes known that they will be trans
ferred thither free of cost to them. The
main question is, can they be depend
ed on to remain beyond a certain limit
ed tfme2 IT'S true the wages offered
and the inducements promised will
look good to them prior to their de-
parture, but how long will they re-
main satisfied at the guaranteed
wages? Be it remembered that the
Portuguese people are made of good
are ambitious and ever
on the alert to better their condition.
Once landed in the islands, they will
soon become wise. What then? They
will soon learn that they can vastly
better their condition be going to the
mainland. Could you blame them for
seeking to get the most for their time
than double their earning capacity?
And herein lies the weak point regard
ing the scheme to introduce Portuguese
coolies. You can bring them, but you
can't keep them. You can take horse
TO water but you can't make him drink.
1t will resolve itself into an endless
chain that will eyentuate in the bet
of the Portuguese coolies, but
n the financial ruin of the planters.
coolies though they be
when first landed. they will, ere many
lays, bloom into full-fedged ambitious
people yearning for and demanding all
he rights to which an American citi-
zen is entitled, including high wages
md the right to strike therefor True
hey may have contracted TO work so
ong at so much wages, but you can't
nforce the terms of the contract. The
esult will be that unless mainland
wages be paid, your Portuguese coolies
will leave for California or elsewhere
8 soon as they can save enough to de- {
ray expense of trip.
Instead of spending their earnings in
he islands. they Will soon after their {
rival commence to hoard Up for their I
arly migration to the land of higher c
rages. In this respect Portuguese
oOlieS may be placed in the same cate
DRY with Chinese, Japanese Korean i
nd italian coolies.
Too long have the Hawaiian Islands /
Uttered from the never-ceasing losses =
lcurred by its laboring elements send 7
lg their earnings to the Orient and a
sewhere. Each year several millions s
dollars are sent therefrom by her Fl
Lborers which by right should remain #
nd add to the upbuilding and enrich L