The Hawaiian gazette., 1907-08-09
JAPANESE HEAR
WISE COUNSEL

(From Wednesdays Advertiser)
Secretary Streus made an interest,"
ing speech to deputation of Japanese
local newspapermen which waited on
him at the Moana hotel yesterday
morning. The cue was given, in re-
spouse to the Secretary's query as to
the object of the call, by Mr. Shebs in
the question, What is your opinion
ct the Japanese condition here in Ha-
wall as you find it?"
Mr.. Straus had his reply taken down
in shorthand by his private secretary.
1t was in the main as follows:
''Of course, gentlemen. / am speak
ing from a short and brief experience
and therefore what 1 say must be-
taken as that of a careful observer
rather than careful student of the con-
ditions here
KINDLY RELATIONS.
What has affected me very forc.tIy
is the kindly relation of the var:cus
people here. This seems to pervaGe all
classes and as a result good feeling
and harmonious relation exists. These
islands may be characterized as The
meeting place of nations, where Ameri-
cans. Europeans, OrientaIs and Hawai-
ians live in the spirit of amity and
mutual confidence Some of the peo-
pie of Europe who are divided by re-
ligious difference and race distinction
could learn much by visiting this Eden
of the Pacific. That such happy con-
dition exists, is a tribute in the first
in G tn tn1a rat
spirit of America, 1t was Americans
who primarily shaped the political In
situations of these islands and in doing
so they have Interpreted the Ameri-
can spirit and given to all the nation
alities full and equal rights.
AN AMERICAN SPIRIT.
"In that respect the political and
social conditions of these islands are
more American than some sections OF
our country where the American spirit
has in sporadic instances been ever
ridden by un-American practises. I
thoroughly agree with the leading men
whom 1 have met here and who to a
large extent are responsible for Ameri-
can annexation, that these islands
should remain American in government
and in spirit, and certainly none OF the
races that dwell here so far as 1 have
been able to learn has any reason to
complain because of the American
Spirit
Mr.. Sheba asked the Secretary about
his future immigration policy, would
you encourage the European inmigra-
tion?''
CONGRESS MAKES LAW.
1.-THE policy of our Government Is
not controlled or shaped by any execu-
tive officer, but primarily by Con-
gress," Mr.. Straus replied. THE ex-
ecutive officers administer under the
laws. They are not either lawmakers
or above the laws. Consequently what
I tell You is no more than the express
sion of opinion, not an official opinion,
but of a visitor.
IAN ideal condition for the future
welfare of these islands would be that
there should not be too great a pre-
ponderance of any one race, but that
the equilibrium be maintained.
II certainly think that the Japanese.
with their skill, enterprise and energy.
are as valuable for the future pres
perity and commercial advancement of
these islands as any race, either Euro
pean or Asiatic.
ut is of the highest Importance that
the races should continue to work in
harmony for the welfare of the is
lands-not as Japanese or as Portu-
guese or as natives, but as Americans
living in Hawaii. Unlike other coun-
tries in the past, the. American policy
is not to govern its Territorial pos
sessions for selfish purposes, but to en-
dow those possessions with all of the
blessings of the American system. She
does not govern in order to derive rev.
enues from these Territories. but to
bring the blessings of liberty and equal
rights, and the consequent DEMENT'S
that are derived therefrom, for the adj
vancement, moral. educational and po-
litical, of the people, irrespective OF
race or religion.
THE KINDLY HAWAIIANS.
81 have been very much gratified to
see. also, the very kindly feeling on
the part of the American and the Eu-
ropean. as well as the Asiatic, toward
the native Hawaiian population
have been told again and again by such
men as Governor Carter and the lead
ing men in public office of the many
excellent qualities of the native Ha-
waiians-their honesty, their kindness
of disposition and amiability toward
all other races. They never display any
spirit of enmity or antagonism, but
are peaceful, law-abiding, well inten-
toned, and kind to everybody. In fact,
I doubt if in any part of the world are
found a more amiable people than the
native Hawaiian. and I am gratified to
know that a number of them are hold
ing important offices, sitting as judges,
with the schools, and mem
bers of Territorial Senate and House
of Representatives.
EXPLOITING NOT WANTED.
'In conclusion. would impress upon
you and upon each of the several
races here, to have care not to ex-
plot these islands and their resources
for the benefit of the country from
which they come. but to act in the
spirit of the Government under which
they live, of loyalty to the interest OF
the islands which afford such happy