Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1909-04-26
HAWAII And Mr.. TAFT.


maker" in Washington.
What is his position regarding the
Territory OF Hawaii?
One of the curiosities of the pres
ent situation in this Territory is the
large amount of doubt that exists
concerning the attitude of the Presi-
dent and the heads of Federal de-
partments toward this Territory.
Possibly no one need worry and
possibly II makes no difference with
the progress of the Territory whether
Mr.. Taft is in sympathy with the
policies over which his predecessor
enthused or not. No doubt it will
all work out in time, but there are
some things regarding which the at
tltude of the Administration should
be learned as soon as possible.
Within the charmed circle OF the
elect, the first thing wanted to
know concerning Mr.. Taft is, wheth-
err he will appoint the men to Office
in Hawaii whom the elect propose.
Let the. elect settle this subject.
There is much of moment outside the
jobs, although 1t is hard for the elect
to understand this-if they are not
In possession of the jobs.
Mr.. Taft's position on the tariff
and sugar is pretty well understood,
II the dispatches from Washington
state the truth, and we think they
do. The sugar tariff will remain at
the present rate, the only change be-
ing the admission of the 100000
tons annually from the Philippines.
This is entirely satisfactory to Ha-
wall.
Just at the present moment there
is nothing of more Importance to the
future of this Territory than the at
titude of the Administration on Eu-
Iropean immigration.
The assumption is that Mr.. Taft is
as enthusiastic over European imml-
grafton as was Mr.. Roosevelt. The
assumption is that Mr.. Sargent's sue
cessor knows all about the situation
here and will do all that Mr.. Sar-
gent would do,
But how much do the officials and
large interests of the Territory know
of the opinions and purposes Of these
men?
Have any steps been taken to learn
| the exact situation?
Is there anyone in the Cabinet to
take up the cause of Hawaii with
the aggressive enthusiasm, say, OF
Mr.. Garfield?
And If there is not, what steps II
any have been taken to enlist the
personal interest of the new Cabinet
officers in securing exact and first
hand information OF the situation in
the islands?
Are the people of Hawaii being ST.
fenced into passive position by as
Stunning that President Taft Is "al
wrapped up" in the Philippines ant
therefore does not care for Hawaii,
Have the reports of Presiden
} Taft's one-time antagonism for Mr.
T.. NJ. Hatch made our people uncon
sclously take defensive position
: and, instead of asking questions IL
q. Washington, wait for someone Their
to throw brickbat?
Whether the people here are afrai
: of Mr.. Taft and his advisers or ar
} simply asleep, there is not the slight
; est doubt that 1t is about time for
! move to be made to get at the facts
} To learn, for instance, whether 4
seeking the immigrants under tn
new Territorial law, the Territory
; safe to proceed under the rulings @
, the former Administration.
: This Territory is so subject to tn
! Executive opinions and sometimes c
Executive whims that 1t Is quite nee
: essary to know the opinions and tn
p whims before proceeding.
Now that the Legislature Is abOu
p to adjourn, 1t will be of advantag
to the Territory to gain more infol
nation concerning the status of on
affairs in Washington.