The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-10-14

Mr.. ". A. GRAHAM CLARK, special
agent Of the Government to investigate
the cotton goods trade OF China, found
time on his way out, while detained by
a steamship wreck at Honolulu, TO study
the economic condition Of Hawaii. and
the Department Of Commerce and Labor
has received a report from him which
proves MI. CLABK's zeal - an inyesti-
gator, but does not make out Q very good
8 for isolated Hawaii as q iourishing
dependency.
The yellow man i not paramount in
the islands, but he predominates; that
is to say, he furnishes the labor for pro-
duction, but the capital is furnished by
the white man, or by a white mans COR
por alton. Ninety-fve per cent. Of the
total value Of exports is represented by
sugar, and the laborers OF the planta-
tons. most Of which are owned by n
company, are Chinese and Japanese. OF
the population Of 1876 900, as, 200 are jap
anese, 10000 Chinese, $1,000 natives,
5000 Coreans, 1000 Kanakas, 1000 Portu-
guese and 5000 whites. Mr.. CLARK
Classics q Portuguese as q man Of
color, for he calculates that this is
about eight white people to l57 Asiatics,
Portuguese and native Hawaiians.' Per-
haps many Of the so-called Portuguese
are half-breeds or under suspicion. It
must be admitted that the average
American economist on his travels has a
bias or a weakness for a white face. and
is not always trustworthy ethnologist.
Chinese labor is more satisfactory to
the planters in Hawaii than Japanese,
because the Chinese makes a steady,
law abiding, efficient laborer, and Is
content to work for small wages The
Japanese on the contrary is restless and
ambitious, always striving to better his
condition and get on an earning level
with the white man. The exclusion law
is operative in Hawaii, but it is urged
that some notifications allowing the
importation Of a definite number (of
Chinese) for a definite term Of years
would undoubtedly develop the islands
wonderfully, as labor is their greatest
need Contact in the rice and sugar
fields is endured by few whites, and it is
obvious that a wage system regulated
by the superior number Of Asiatics does
not attract white men. Moreover, they
cannot stand the tropical sun. II Ha-
waits prosperity depends upon IN acces-
sion Of Chinese the outlook for the ISL
ands is dubious, for Western Congress-
men are too much under the control OF
Pacific Coast opinion to consent TO a
modification Of the exclusion act in favor
of Hawaii.
Diversiication Of products is the cry
ing need OF Hawaii, for its dependence
upon the sugar crop brings lean years.
There was a decrease Of so, 324,e ga in
exports in the year ending June 30, 1905,
as compared with the previous fiscal
year. There was, however, an increase
Of s7es, 100 in imports. owing in part,
apparently, 10 a promising attempt to
diversity crops, for fruit and coffee Guilt
walton is rapidly developing.
The opening Of the Mexican National
Railroad across the Isthmus Of Tehuan-
tepec is going to prove Of great ad-
vantage to the Hawaiian exporters. A
voyage around Cape Horn TO New York
sometimes takes four months by steam
freighter, but goods sent by way Of the
Isthmus can be set down in New York in
thirty-two days, although cargo has to
be broken at Salina Cruz.
There is a burning customs revenue
question in Hawaii. Receipts last year
were s 1,o4S, $40. and they went to Wash
ington. The Hawaiians want Congress
to set aside rs per oent. Of the revenues
for a period Of twenty years to be ap-
piled to education, public buildings and
harbor improvements. AS long as the
ratio OF whites to Asiatics is one to twenty
Congress will not be f~avorably impressed
although the present policy is not con.
ducive to local development.