The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1907-09-27
STRAUS HOME
FROM HAWAII
Washington Star, Sept. ~

Islands. has been a most enjoyable one,
and is likely to lead TO practical re-
suits. 4 firm believer in the idea that
the vast interests intrusted to his safe
keeping could not be entirely admin
isrered from his desk in Washington,
The Secretary determined TO make
personal inspection Of the workings of
the department away from the capital,
and to become personally acquaint
ed with the various officials having
supervision. He accordingly planned n
arp along the Canadian border to Van
.couver. and thence south through Seat
tie and Portland TO San Francisco, with
Honolulu as the ultimate destination.
he returned TO Washington today, and
talked freely about his experiences,
especially those in the Hawaiian Is
lands.
When he arrived at Honolulu the is
landers were out in force to greet him
and his party. They were taken to
the hotel in automobiles, the route be-
ing lined on both sides by the people.
VINO were enthusiastic in their demon
Trations- The presence of Representa-
tive and Mrs. Nicholas Longworth add
ed TO the warmth Of the demonstra-
ton. Al the hotel delegations from
the board OF trade. merchants ex-
change. Chinese, japanese and other
societies. greeted the Secretary, ex-
tended invitations to dinners and made
requests for speeches.
COMPLAINT OF SHIPPING LAWS.
Secretary Straus made several nota-
bile addresses while at Honolulu-one
~ . banquet given IN his honor by
Ar Hatch, and at dinner given by
the Honolulu Chamber of Commerce the
policy Of the government in relation
20 the islands was touched upon. On
The latter occasion one OF the largest
and most representative bodies of bust
ness men ever gathered in Honolulu
assembled TO present the commercial
needs OF the islanders. L. A. Thurs
ton. speaking in behalf of the mer-
Hehalss and planters, described certain
commercial disadvantages resulting
from annexation, laying particular
stress upon the necessity for modifica-
non OF the coastwise shipping laws p
plying TO the islands, which penalize
the carrying OF passengers and freight
between the territory and the mainland
OF the United States in other than
American bottoms. Owing TO the in
frequency with which vessels of that
description stop at Honolulu, Mr..
Tlurstou declared that large quanti-
ties Of fruit rot upon the wharves while
awaiting shipment, and that the same
lack OF transportation facilities acts
Is d peculiar hardship upon residents
81 the territory, who were often obliged,
as a result Of illness or pressing fnan-
.ciaI matters. to leave for the United
States on a vessel Of foreign registry
and thereby incur the fine of 5000
which our navigation laws impose.
RESPONSE OF SECRETARY
STRAUS.
Replying TO this address Secretary
Straus assured the islanders that he
would endeayor TO have existing griev-
auees remedied, and closed his address
by saying:
Il have knowledge and experience
OF the fact that one of the greatest
shortcomings il the way Of the progress
Of the islands is that there is not sufi-
Client communication between them and
The mainland. This you must have, and
you ought TO have, and speaking in
dividually and officially promise you
mat ! shall DO everything within my
power TO assist in getting the shipping
facilities that you need. I have seen
much Of the world. I am familiar
with those places which are the favor
ed lands for tourists, and my eight
days stay here has convinced me that
there j. no land on the face of the
earth. considering climate and popu-
lztion, and considering beauty and at
tractiveness of scenery and charms of
hospitality, which offers so much to the
tourist, either in health or pleasure,
as this Eden Of the Pacific"
These declarations were enthusiast
ticaIly applauded, and upon closing the |
Secretary was generously cheered.
On another occasion the Secretary |
was waited upon by a delegation of |
japanese editors, representing the four /
japanese newspapers of Honolulu who |
called 10 ascertain his views regarding |
japanese matters in the Territory and !
IS 20 his policy with reference TO Jap |
anese immigration, particularly if he
believed that the preponderance of
japanese in Hawaii was inimica, 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
-he-e should not be too great a pre-
p01de-ance OF any one race. but that
n equilibrium be maintained. would
impress upon you. and upon each of