Evening journal., 1906-08-15
AorzozUzU h4epaR

a time. A stranger seeing a gang OF
Kanakas unloading a ship would d-magine
that they were the most energetic OF
mortals, for they can and do work hard
by spurts, but the incentive TO effort
always lies IN the prospective spell OF
dolce FAR niente. The educated native
seeks clerical employment or engages In
some branch OF trade, but seldom with
success. In neither capacity can he COM
pete with the Chinaman, who Is alto
gether his superior. more efficient and
more reliable. The Kanaka Is a thorough
child OF nature, following the lines OF
least resistance and dallying with the
simple pleasures that delight his heart.
lie lives as the lilies Of the field, a harm
less, useless, but picturesque figure, and
perhaps the kndest fate that can befall
him Is 10 be permitted TO drift IN his own
happy fashion out OF a world which has
no longer place for him.
The Hawailans are very susceptible
TO contagious diseases, ana when leprosy
was introduced by Che Chinese in is53
Il Immediately took root aud spread rap
idly among the natives They do not en-
UItain any fear OF the disease and sell
dom take any precautions 10 avoid con
tact with sufferers. Indeed, the work
Of the health officers Is often impeded by
the dislnclination OF families 10 have
leprous members taken away from their
homes. The disease has been vigorously
combatted ever since It's introduction TO
the islands. The authorities believe thar
NJ present it is completely under control
and that It will be stamped out In this
generation There are very few, II any.
infected persons az large In the territory.
In 1865 the government set apart a small
peninsula at the northern end OF the Is.
land Of Molokai as a leper settlement.
This neck OF land which Is called kal-
awao, Is cut on on the inner side hy
| precirice more than two thousand feet
I IN height Il was amongst the loathsome
Inhabitants Of this reservation that the
sanity Father Damien lahoied for 10
years, and In their midst he died OF the
foul disease that links them together
Everything possible IS done for the com
fort Of the unfortunate wretches who are
forever cut OF from the world from the
moment they set foot on Kalawuo. They
are well housed and fed and have
churches. clubrooms and libraries Govern
ment physicians visit them az regularinter.
walls, but strangers are rarely allowed ac-
cess 20 the peninsula. and mere curiosity
hunters are rigidly excluded. The colony
at present numbers somewhat more than
1000 souls Ninety Eve per cent. are ma.
tives; three-hfths OF the remainder are
Chinese, and fewer than 90 whites. The
average life at kalawao Is less than 1--WE
years, and the lepers seldom suffer much
physical pain. The mental anguish OF
these miserable outcasts is probably great
er than we can conceive Some OF them
have been persons OF wealth and refine
meut There was a notable case Of rich
Hawaiian, who, suspectinr that he wa,
contaminated submitted himself TO "a,
health officers for examination. They de
cided that he was a lenor. and this ma
tive. with a noble sense Of duty, calmly
accepted the verdict and proceeded Z,
Kaiawao, where he devoted the remain
der Of his life and his ample means L
the amelioration Of the suffering OF hii
fellow-prisoners.
The Portuguese. who came originally a
iaborers 10 the cane fields, are now fo
the most part engaged In the cultivation
OF coffee on their own account Thcl
are very thrifty. and II Is their practici
10 make every member Of the family
earn a wage. In this way most Of then
saved sufficient money 10 purchase
small patch OF land and stnrt a coGe'
PLANTATION. The Portuguese keep pretty
much 10 themselves and take little par
IN the social and political lie Of thl
Islands.
The japanese are the most Numerous
OF the many nationaiities that make OF
the population Of Hawaii. On this ac
count. and because Of their aggressive
ness. they are the subject OF a grea
deal Of concern on the part OF m,
whites, many of whom express the feai