Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-11
PLEASED WITH HAWAII
Secretary StrauS Returns After
an Enjoyable Trip.
DISCUSSES HIS EXPERIENCE
Calls the Islands the Eden Of the
Pacific.
THE NEED OF COMMUNICATION
People Complain of the Effect of the
Navigation Laws on
Traffic.
DISCUSSES HIS EXPERIENCE
HE NEED OF COMMUNICATION

The visit of Secretary Stratus to the Pa
chc coast including the Hawaiian Is
lands has been most enjoyable one, and
Is likely to lead to practical re-ults. firm
believer in the idea that the vast interests
intrusted to his safekeeping could not be
entirely administered from his desk in
Washington. the Secretary determined to
make a personal inspection of the work
ings of the department away from the
capital and to become personally acquaint-
ed with the various officials having super
vision. He accordingly planned trip along
the Canadian border to Vancouver, and
thence south through Seattle and Port
land to San Francisco. with Honolulu as
the ultimate destination. He returned to
Washington today. and talked free.y about
his experiences, especially those IN the Ha-
Waiidn Islands.
When he arrived at Honolulu the island
ers were out in force to greet him and his
party. They We're taken to the hotel III au-
tomohiles, the route being Lined on both
sides by the people, who were enthusiastic
in their demons ,rattOnS. The presence OF
Represo ntative and Mrs. NlCho.as Long
worth added to the warmth of the demon
stration. At the hotel delegations from
the board of trade merchants exchange,
Chinese. japanese and other societies greet
ed the Secretary, extended invitations TO
dinners and made requests for speeches
Complaint of Shipping Laws
Secretary Straus made several notable
addresses while at Honolulu-one at a ban
quet given in his honor by Mr.. Hatch. and
at a dinner given by the Honolulu Cham
Der of Commerce the policy of the govern
ment in relation TO the islands was touched
upon. On the latter occasion one of the
largest and most representative bodies of
Irpgi aN..ayt VI
sembled TO present the commercial ne DIS
of the islanders l.. A. Thurston, speak
ing in behalf of the merchants and plant
ers. described certain commercial disadVan-
tages resulting from annexation laying
particular stress upon the necessity Tor
modification of the coastwise shipping laws
applying to the island. which penalize
the carrying of passengers and freight be-
tween the territory and the mainland of
the United States in other than American
bottoms. Owing to the infTequency with
which vessels of that description stop at
Honolulu. Mr.. Tnurston declared that large
quantities Of fruit rot upon the WhaTVeS
while awaiting shipment and that the same
lack of transportation facilities acts as a
peculiar hardship upon residents of the
territory. who were often obliged as re-
suit of Illness or pressing financial matters,
to leave for the United States on YES
sci of foreign registry and thereby incur
the fine of 500 which our navigation laws
impose.
Response of Secretary Stratus.
ftplNlDR 10 TINS address SECRETARY
assured the islanders that he would en-
deavor to have existing grievances RENE
died. and closed his address by saying:
Il have knowledge and experience of the
fact that one of the greatest shortcomings
In the way of the progress of the islands is
that there is not sufficient communication
between them and the mainland. This you
must have. and YOU ought to have, and
speaking individually and officially | prom
ig.4 Niy FhstT
my power TO assist in getting the shipping
facilities that YOU need have seen much
Of the world | am familiar with those
places which are the favored lands for tour
lists. and my eight DAYS stay here has con-
WINGED me that there is no land on the face
of the earth, considering climate and pOpu-
Iation, and considering beauty and attract
ivcncss of scenery and charms of hospital
ity which offers so much to the tourist,
either in health or pleasure. as this Eden
of the Pacific.
These declarations We're enthusiastically
applauded. and upon closing the Secretary
was generously Cheered
ON another occasion the Secretary was
waited upon by delegation of japanese
editors. representing the four Japanese
newspapers of Honolulu. who called TO as
certain his views regarding japanese mat
tiers in the territory and to his policy
with reference to Japanese immigration,
particularly II he believed that the prepon-
deranCe of japanese in Hawaii was mimi
cal to the future welfare of the islands. In
reply the Secretary said
An ideal condition for the future welfare
Of these islands would be that there should
not h. too great preponderanCc of any
one race. but that an equilibrium be main
tanned. | would impress upon you, and
upon each OF the several races here. TO have
a care not to eXpIOit these islands and their
resources for the benefit of the country
from which they came. but to act in the
spirit of the government under which they
live-Of LOYALTY to the interests of the is
lands which afford such happy and ideal
homes for them and for their children"
These remarks. which were reported in
all of The ws3aperS-American. Japanese
and Chnese-met with an enthusiastic re-
CcDtiun.
one OF the most interesting dinners ten
d' Ied to the Secretary was given by w. r.
Castle. an old schoolmatr. who graduated
fIcm Columbia University with Mr.. Straus
In the law class of -. The guests included
the leading educators of the islands. who
entertaningly described the public school
system Of Hawaii, and the progress made
10y its FOR most institutions.
In the red-draped throneroOm of the
palace. long closed TO social affairs. Gov.
and Mrs. Garter rendered public re-
ceptiou TO Secretary and Mrs. Straus and
Representative and Mrs. Longworth The
grounds Were brightly illuminated by my
RAIDS Of vari-COlored incandescent lights
under which, to the music OF the ROYAL
Hawaiian Band. thousands of citizens con-
Eregated while the reception was in prog
rCSs.
Unfortunately tht lInltcd time at MS dis
poSal prevented the Secretary from visiting
the various islands of the Hawaiian group
bat his party were afforded opportunity of
seeing all that there is in Oahu, the island
upon which Honolulu is situated
When the Secretary left Honolulu a large
crowd was assembled on the dock to wit
ness the departure Secretary Straus stood
on the deck of the steamer decked with
wreathS of flowers the last token of friend
ship bestowed by the warm-hearted island
'rs, who cheered vociferously the steam
e moved from the harbor. The last sound
that reached the steamer from the shore
was aloha nut" the Hawaiian farewell
greeting and expression OF regard and es-
TEEN.