Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-07


thousands OF Chinese laborers in thee Is
lands" AS a matter OF fact, the Chinese
laborerB have always been treated well on
the islands which initiated In favor OF
Hawaii when the time came to ask Eng
land to relax her strict rule In the east
that no Chinese should be allowed to
leave China in British bottom under
contract The census Of 1888 shows that
the Chinese population cf the islands was
$40. This first migration of Chinese to-
ward Hawaii has been succeeded BY sew
erai others. the details OF which 1t is un-
necessary here to recite. As their contracts
expired many of them returned to China
end quite number made permanent iodg-
nlent in the country. engaging In rice cul-
ture- Their services in the sugar field gave
an immense impetus to that industry.
Recognizing the value of lands which
were mere marshes. they reclaimed them
and rendered them productive. As the ma
uves slowly died out and the lands used
by them as taro patches were no longer
needed In the domestic economy, they
leased many of them and turned them into
rice plots. The earliest Chinese came from
the province of Quang Tung, where rice
is raised In water and the climate some
what tropical. They were Injured TO labor
ing In swamp and wet lands. They import
ed the caraba and their own primitive
tools and machinery used In the euitixation
and manufacture of rice. but of late years
have adopted American machinery and
powers.
In many parts OF the islands they have
the dilapidated walls of ancient fish ponds.
the dykes of taro patches. established small
stores IN sparsely settled districts which
have accommodated the residents, and have
been the hewers of wood and drawers OF
water for both native and foreign employ
ers. AS merchants they excel and have
maintained their reputation for probity
which maintains In the treaty ports In
China.
As field hands in the sugar industry
Chinese are admittedly the best OF all the
nationalities which have been introduced
Compared with the wages obtained In their
own country they have always been well
paid for their labor and have been con-
tented to fulfill their contracts. whether
per piece or by monthly service. The same
labor which would earn from sl.5o to 50.
with food and clothing. in China, earn in
Hawaii $3.50 per annum, with food and
medical attendance. homes and fuel. This
$50 when sent to China becomes more than
$500 In Mexican. the money OF their coun-
try. Therefore 1t Is not surprising that
they were contented and were not given to
strikes, which entailed loss. They. are ac-
customed to settling any individual Difficult
ties which may arise without combining to
strike and cause loss to the balance of the
lRborers and the employers. They are
spread generally throughout the group be-
Ing found In every valley and far up the
mountain slopes. As citizens and denizens
II Is rarely that they are charged with
crimes, although frequently arrested for the
misdemeanors of gambling. opium trafnck-
ing, etc.
Love Of Learning.
The great love of learning which the
Chinese exhibit is surprising to any one
unacquainted with the history of their
country. Poor men deny themselves many
comforts in life to enable their sons to go
home and study the classics, or to obtain
the best possible foreign education. They
are very diligant students and frequently
excel American and European students in
the same classes, although pursuing an
education in tongue the idioms of which
are SO different from their vernacular. In
intermarrying with the natives they made
exemplary husbands and reared fine fami-
lies, many of whom are fntermar rted with
natives and whites, and all degrees of blood,
are found among their descendants.
They have established many elecmosynary
societies and care for their own aged and
infirm- and 1t is rarely that Chinese pau
per Is seen on the streets. They are re-
markedly temperate people, and such
thing as a drunken Chinaman would be
rara avis. They have established a hospital
in Honolulu, which is conducted in good
form and is maintained by subscription
among themselves. They have erected q
number of Christian churches and have
their own Young Mems Christian Society.
They also have some Confucian temples
and a theater, which appear to be well
patronized.
Chinese immigrants learn the Hawaiian
language with facility, and it is the medium
Of conversation between them and those of
other races, although many of them, and
all the rising generations. speak English
with fiuency.
From the most humble beginnings many
have acquired beautiful and comfortable
homes and which. In all respects, are on
a par with those of the most cultivated
foreigners. Pianos and musical instruments
are found in their houses, as well as oil
paintings and statuary, and 1t is not an
uncommon thing to see their young people
playing croquet or lawn tennis on the we'll
kept grounds In front of their coy homes.
They raise practically all the vegetables
consumed on the islands, and have for so
long a time hawked them from door to door
that the whole community, native and for
egn, has learned to depend on John Chi
naman In that respect. They have con-
structed in Honolulu three most beautiful
and sanitary markets. admirably adapted
to the climate, the superior to which are
to be found In city in the world.
The rice industry under them soon as
stunned large proportions, and at one time
there were more than 5000 engaged in 1t
directly or indirectly Owing to a combina-
ton of circumstances, as excessive rents
mand for the products the industry ceased
to be profitable. The latter was caused by
the decreased numbers of consumers. so
many of the Chinese having returned to
China, and the unwillingness OF the Japan
csc iaborers to Use any rice but that inn
ported from Japan.
The population OF Chinese of the islands
according to the United States census of
1900 was males, Is. 742: females, BAGS OF
these there were of Hawaiian brit, 4o76-
males, 2,346; females. 1730