The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1908-08-29


great undertakings yet to be accom-
plished by the modern Investigator is
a complete scientific exploration of the
Pacific Ocean. Although some centuries
have elopsed since the first Adventures
of western Europe tempted the dangers
of this vast region, the Pacific offers
today the largest area on the globe for
scientific investigation and locks within
its mighty shores information the ac-
QUESTION of which would be of more
benefit to modern knowledge than that
to be derived from the prosecution of
any similar undertaking.
Foremost among the great benefac-
tors of our race have been numbered
many naturalists, and the names of Oar
win, of Wallace, and of Dana will al
WAYS be associated with those who have
contributed much to the sum of mod
ern knowledge. The researches of such
workers have UNNECESSARILY extended
the horizon of human intelligence and
have helped our race to break away
las of ancient habits of thought.
The Investigations of these great men
were conducted in this same ocean re-
gion to which the attention on the
scientific world is now being turned.
Important as was the result of their
achievements, it has only made us
vaguely acquainted with the extent of
the work yet to be accomplished and
of the perplexing questions to which
modern learning demands answer. The
scientific exploration of the Pacific is
fraught with so much Importance that
1t will immortalize alike the patrons
whose benefcence shall make its pros
ecution possible and the workers who
shall bring it to a successful issue.
From the time the first hardy marin
ers of the old world entered the Pa.
cifc, expeditions innumerable have Wis
tied this immense ocean. In the early
DAYS of the history the vessels of Hol-
land and Portugal entered from the
west and stroye for possession of the
Spain ventured from the east in pursuit
of the elusive gold, of which they were
to find none, and have left only the
empty name of Islands of Solomon to
recall to us the vain hope; the English
adventurer haunted it's wastes to prey
upon the weighted treasure ships from
Mexico laden with Spanish gold.
Early Government Explorations.
In less remote times came the early
period of government expeditions to the
Pacific. Of these, the English were
foremost in enterprise and in the re-
suits which were achieved, although the
French, Spanish, German and Russian
governments also aid good work. The
tragic fate which has befallen so many
Pacific explorers is proverbial and has
spread an atmosphere of mystery and
romance over the story of adventure
and discovery in this part of the world
Cook, Magellan, Mendana, and La Pc
rouse are but a few of the illustrious
roll of vOyagers whose lives have been
sacrificed in their endeavor to solve the
mysteries of the Pacific. The nara
tIves of the early Pacific explorers af-
forded a wealth of eagerly sought liter
allure, whose influence has to this day
tinctured the writings of the historian
and novelist of this wonderful region.
In still later years the United States
government has interested itself active
~ in various Pacific Investigations and ,
has added considerably to the ocean
ographv of the region.
The whaling industry also carried its ,
roilers into many remote parts of the,
great ocean and left an indelible i'm
preston upon the native population.
To these legitimate enterprises are to ;
be added the incursiOn of host of !
piratieal and predatory exploiters. who /,
have proved upon commerce, pillaged !
and kidnapped the native races, and }
made the white man an object of hatred !
throughout the regions in which their ;
netarious work was carried on. ;
The More Ferocious Islanders Avoided. !
In spite of these activities of the 7
white man. whether of good or evil re- e
oute, the Pacific Ocean remains today e
he most explored but The least known
extensive region of the globe. 5
After the DAYS of early exploration b
he interest of the white man conferred a
hiefiy around those Pacific arehipela b
soes which were either situated on con-
'enient commercial routes or where the c
friendly disposition of the natives in I
-ited the newcomer to soiourn among n
hem This quality of racial disposition il
las been very instrumental in deter 2
mining the development of certain is v
and groups and accounts in part for p
he fact that among the various archi- c
elagoes, these inhabited by the Poly il
esisn race have been the great cen Il
ers for the white man and have there a
ore departed from primitive standards a
lost. In MANY cases the reputation of h