The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1908-03-30


permitted to enter Hawaii, it will not
only help in the larger sugar and rice
industries, but also encourage and aid
the small farmer from the states to
make a living on his lesser holdings
The Chinese laborer in Hawaii can do
good work, in many ways, in increas-
ing the wealth of these islands and
making them more productive.
f. "For the Benefit of Trade and Gen
eral Business-All the large American
business firms in Hawaii have received
a good part of their trade from the
Chinese. They have always been good
BUYERS and users of American merchan-
disc. They have been as a rule honest
in their trade relations The lessen
ing of the numbers of Chinese in Ha-
wall has been a heavy blow, to the
large American importing houses of
Honolulu. MANY of the Chinese here
eat American food and wear American
clothing. A limited number of Chi
nese coming to Hawaii, every year,
would prove most helpful to all bust
ness interests in the islands. 1t would
stimulate the entire trade of the Pa
cific, and tend TO make Honolulu one
of the most important seaports of the
world.
5. Because the Present Supply is De-
creasing-Ten wears ago there were
over 10000 Chinese laborers, exclusive
of the children. Since Annexation. new
men have not come, many of the aged
Chinese have died or returned to China,
and at present there are probably not
over 5000 active Chinese laborers here
at work in the islandss Chinese chill
dren born in Hawaii are. not Oriental
lied. but have become really American
lied so they are not fitted for the
work in the cane and rice fields. New
Chinese must come from China to meet
this need. japanese immigration has
been largely stopped.
A VITAL QUESTION.
If Chinese can not be secured in
limited numbers, the main industry, in
fact the very prosperity of the Ter
ritory, is threatened with disaster. The
coming of more Chinese is matter OF
vital Importance to the welfare of the
people and, if arranged with proper
limitations. can IN no way hinder the
development and progress of this Ter
ritory, along American ideals. As has
been stated the Chinese labor has al
ready reclaimed many acres of waste
land, adding largely to the wealth OF
the islands. There are still lands here,
that can only be made productive by
the industrious Chinese. There is not
the least danger of the islands becom-
ing Orientalized. American institutions
are far too well founded for that. The
fine educational system and the strong
spirit of the American people IN Ha
wall will ever keep the Territory loyal
to America, and all true American in
terests, and also control and influence
any Chinese who may come. The ideals
and standards 'of American life are
well planted here so there is no need
to fear any overbearing influence from
the Orient.
If certain numbers of Chinese are
permitted to enter the islands, they
will of necessity stay here, where the
need is greatest, and where they are
wanted, both by the Chinese and white
residents, and where their coming will
be of real benefit to Hawaii and to
themselves. Hawaii s call for, more
Chinese, not in large numbers, who can
aid in the continued development and
growth of this island Territory is a
fair one. 1t is one that, after proper
efforts have been made, and the facts
and conditions here well known, will
certainly receive a favorable answer
from Washington. There will be of
necessity comment and possibly many
objections from different parts of the
country, but that will bring out more
information. The reasons of Hawaii s
call and her need of Chinese labor
will become better understood. Con-
gress will take notice of special con-
ditions here, and in time see the JUS
tice of this request. When the time
is ripe, after the presidential year, for
bringing up Hawaiian Chinese immi- |
grafton bill, matters will be in better
shape for intelligent legislation. Let
all well wishers of Hawaii work to
spread honest information on this ques- |
ton.