The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1907-03-16

| rive are very glad to publish the fol-
! lowing illuminating article showing
| Hawaifs remarkable success in edu-
eating Oriental children in her public
| schools. It would seem to show that
CALIFORNIA; fears on the subject are
absolutely groundless. Now that the
| Board of Education of San Francisco
| has gone to Washington to take up
the japanese school question with the
| National Government, this article
should prove timely, instructive and
ggestive-Editor independent
| 1t is a fact of no little Importance
that in the Territory of Hawaii, in the
midst of the great Pacific Ocean, two
thousand miles distant from the con-
| tinent of America, is being solved one
| of the most interesting educational
problems to be found anywhere in the
world. Here in our public and private
schools are gathered with the children
of the aboriginal race representatives
of a number of different nationalities,
a fine youthful democracy, which,
though itself unconscious of the fact,
offers some valuable data, not alone
to the professional educator, but to
all thoughtful men and women. Es-
pecially will support for his theories
here be found by the lover of the
human race, who believes that no in
harmonious intercourse of all peoples,
provided that right influences are i'm
parted at a sufficiently early and re-
ceptive period of life, in contact with
sound and healthy environment, ami
mated by at least a fair approxima
ton to the spirit of the Golden Rule"
Certainly it will be conceded that the
problem here offered is a sufficiently
varied one, when the international
| complexion of our schools is consider
ed. We find Hawaiian, part Hawai-
ian in many combinations, American,
British, Portuguese, Scandinavian,
German, Japanese, Chinese, Porto Ri
can, Korean and "other foreign" pu-
pills gathered in our schools, pursuing
the same studies, accorded equal priv
ileges and happily and with increas-
ing, rather than lessening, harmony
laying the foundation Of a good and
helpful education. 1t is proposed here,
however, not to attempt more than
to present brief statement, with ref
erence to one element here found,
namely, the Chinese.
Nowhere in the world is to be found
similar number of young people of
| Chinese and Japanese origin, at the
| most formative period of their lives,
| in the heart of a community equally
| penetrated with and animated by An
| glo-Saxon principles and ideals. Out
| of a school attendance of something
over q 900, there are to be found over
5000 pupils of Asiatic parentage. OF
these it will be found, by the very
| latest statistics obtainable from the
Board of Education, that 1927 are Jap
anese and 2092 are Chinese. While the
Japanese are largely in the majority
numerically, yet owing to the fact that
| the Chinese have been a much longer
| time represented in the population of
Hawaii, and have more fully assimf-
lated with certain phases of our life,
and are more numerously represented
in our more advanced institutions of
learning, the results of the working of
the educational system here are prob
ably more manifest among the young
Chinese than the Japanese.
The interesting work which is being
carried on among the young people
whose parents came to these islands
from China, but who are themselves
in very many instances native sons,
entitled to full citizenship under the
'Stars and Stripes is worthy of care
full attention. Hawaii occupies a posi-
ton in the worlds attention quite out
of proportion to the extent of it's ter
ritory or the size of it's population. The
varied and striking features attending
the historic development of its inter
esting and amiable aboriginal popula-
ton, as a civilized and Christianized
people; it's beautiful and romantic
scenery, and it's important and strate-
gle position, politically and CONNER
cially, have long drawn the attention
of many to these isles of the sea-" It
is, however, possible that one of the
most conspicuous claims which it can
make to a place in the worlds kindly
regard is to be found in the gracious
courtesy which has always been shown
representatives of different races who
have here, in this land of perpetual
summer found a home and abiding
place. Truly it may be said that the
noble and comprehensive word, "Reci-
procity,' in which Confucius found the
embodiment of all that is highest and
best in life, has here found, in the care
of his countrymen, a larger and more
expanded Specification than even he
felt was expressed by it. Thousands
Of Chinese laborers, accompanied by
a far too small percentage of women,
yet in not a few instances with the
companionship of true and worthy
wives, were brought to these shores,
at the earnest request of our authori-
ties, to aid in the agricultural devel-
opment Of these islands, especially in
connection with their principal indus
try, the manufacture of sugar. In ad-
dition to these have also come repre-
sentatives of the merchant class, who
nave to some extent brought their
wives with them-or have married in
these islands. Much does Hawaii owe
to the Chinese in the successful at
ta1nment of a large share of her pres
ent prosperity, and the debt due their
patient, faithful and unwearied labor
should never be lost sight of. Their
children in turn are receiving a broad
and liberal education under conditions
peculiarly generous and favorable |
This wise and considerate treatment