The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1907-07-04
KONA LANDS
FOR RUSSIANS
Correspondence Between Jas.
A. Low and Frank B.
McStocker.


cultural lands of Kona on Hawaii will
be settled by Russians, of a particular
" industrious and highly moral class
of farmers, were revealed at a meet
ing of the Board of Immigration YES
terday afternoon.
"hen' few months ago, Governor
Carter received a letter from the Uni
ted states consular agent at yladivos-
tok inquiring if the passage of dele
gates from Russian colony there to
Hawaii could be assisted by the Ha-
wauan goVernment-the purpose of the
delegation being to look into the
chances of settlement in these islands
for the people mentioned-the main
proposition met frost so severe in the
Board or immigration as to lay it out
for dead. The so-called ''MoIokan ex-
pertinent had made everybody sore
on anything Russian.
1t would appear. though, that some
private citizens with interests near to
those OF the Moiokan experimenter
deemed the word from Vladivostok
worthy of investigation, especially
when favorable opportunity therefor
presented itself in the visit to that
part of the world of James A. Low
who both from his long residence and
experience as a plantation manager
here, was we'll qualified to conduct such
an inquiry.
The rest of the story is fully told in
the correspondence between Mr.. Low
and Mr.. McStocker printed herewith.
which was read at the meeting of the
Board of immigration yesterday. Ko-
mas rich fruit and coffee bearing lands
are waiting for the Russian colonists.
Bills of the immigrant steamship
Kumeric were passed upon at the
meeting. a rather formidable item OF
business.
Richard Ivers, the new superintend-
ent, presided for the first time over
the Board. He was received most cor
daily and, it leaks out. will probably
entertain his commissioners
soon. as is customary.
Following is the correspondence rela-
tive to the Russians above-mentioned:
MR.. LOWS LETTER.
Pacific Commercial Co., Vladivostok.
VIadivostok, May 3-16, 1907.
Mr.. F. B. McStocker, Manager, Ha-
waiian Development Co., Honolulu,
T. H.
Dear Sir: With yesterdays mail 1
received the copy of memorandum
which you handed to me a few minutes
before leaving your office namely, the
Instructions on immigration matters.
In Japan 1 took the matter up with
Messrs. Patten & Mckenzie. They re-
piled that they could hold out no pros
poets but intended to take up the prop
Of no INN icrra on
companies (Japanese) who, they main
tanned, were very well to do, and would
likely have money for banking pur-
poses in connection with the general
scheme. However, they did not hold
out much hope, as they claimed there
were so many avenues for making
money in Korea and Manchuria, which
were nearer home.
Here in VIadivostok 1 have taken the
matter in hand with the delegate from
Caucasus, Eriwan district. This man
represents $4,000 peasants who claim
their principal object in leaving Rus
STA is to avoid army duty,-their reli-
giOn prohibiting the taking of life, and
the prosecutions to which they nave
been subjected are the principal causes
for their desire to live a peaceful life
Some Ga very few of this sect, located
in Canada and took up farms; were
satisfied and doing well, but as the
British law required them, within GER
tain periods. before getting title to
their lands, to become British subjects,
they deliberately picked up and LETT
their farms partially developed with
suitable improvements thereon, and
went into the United States. This (be-
coming British subjects) they claim
h., anti ION of
Iigious beliefs: because, if they became
British subjects, they could be COM
PEELED to do army duty. Thus they
would be UP against the same propo-
sition which they left their home to
avoid. They maintain that they do
not care to take part in the politics
of any country, but aim only to follow
tleir religious belief and live a peace
full life; but desire to acquire lana
sufficient in area to support their tam
lilies.
The district from which they come,
1 am informed, is hilly and mountain
Gus. This delegate tells me the land
is very rocky and they grow success
fully grapes and fruit trees.
1 have very strongly recommended
the Kona district to him. He seemed
to be very much taken with the ldea
of growing coffee and plneapples' as
well as sugar cane.
l informed him that grapes grew
most luxuriously in Kona, ana that
great variety of fruit could be grown.
1 impressed upon him that ne Woulo
not meet such large vast valleys ana
foot hills as are to be found IN the
Siberian country, as in the vicinity OF
VIadivostOk, l having Travelled some
500 miles into the interior.
1 impressed upon him the fact that
our lands We're so much more fertile
that a livelihood could be made on
very small area
I read to him copies of the Call ana
the contract, as made, or as otfered'
by Stackable to the Spanish and Port |
uguese immigrants which are now
coming to Hawaii. 1 also showed MIN
actual wage rates for the different |
classes of work. He seemed to be quite |
satisfied, and has written a long letter
to the assembly of delegates which are |
sending him forward to investigate |
conditions.
He advised me that one hundred /
families. quite well to do, would pay /
all of their own expenses and proceed |
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