Ka Leo o ka Lahui, Volume II, Number 199, 22 May 1891 — Page 4

KA LEO O KA LAHUI.

"E Mau ke Ea o ka Aina i ka Pono."

 

KA LEO.

 

FRIDAY, MAY 22, 1891.

 

NOTICE

 

            Copies of the Ka Leo o Ka Lahui can be found every morning at both the News Agencies in town.  Price 5 cents a copy.

 

OUR FOREIGN REPRESENTATION.

 

            In yesterday’s Leo, we began a little plain talk to our Minister of Foreign Affairs about those rumored appointments of Hawaiian representatives abroad, namely our Minister in Washington and our Consul in San Francisco.  On the first point it seems that things are not quite as we apprehended them, in this much that the “wise” resignation of Mr. Carter is not yet such a “fait accompli” as it had been represented but we still hope it will be so before long.  We all knew here, the nature, of the “services” rendered by Mr. H. A. P. Carter, during the incumbency which entrusted him with the delicate mission of representing Hawaii abroad, and the least said about them the best; he can be characterised in two words:  he is a worthy brother of the great “coming man” Joe, and that is all!

            The only really popular act of Mr. Carter, as already stated in the Leo, will be his resignation, which will be regretted only by the planters,--and the American planters at that,--whose subservient tool he always was; Mr. H. A. P. Carter has been the faithful representative of one class only, not of the masses, not of the Hawaiian people, and specially he never represented any of the national and patriotic sentiments who wish Hawaii for the Hawaiians; he never cared for the preservation of our independence, and if ex-Minister Austin had not sacrificed himself manfully and generously, sooner than to deliver up to the Foreign Committee of the Legislature all that interesting “private” correspondence on public matters from Washington, it would have been shown how Mr. Carter was a complaisant tool to the planters’ selfishness and to Mr. Blaine’s ambitious dreams; it would have established also what was the nature of the semi-official suggestions to our government as regards Hawaii’s independence.  If Hawaii is still an autonomous power, it is not Mr. Carter’s fault, and the history of the last attempt at that treaty with the “troop clause” if ever written, will settle Mr. Carter’s political character.

            Now the difficulty for the government will be to choose a worthy man in Mr. Carter’s place, a man fitted for such a delicate and responsible position, who will avoid falling into Mr. Carter’s errors and becoming like him instrument to monied influences; and the selection will be all the more difficult if—as it is asserted,--the American Government have expressed the desire that no other man should be appointed but a native of the Islands.  Such a wish is a proof of the practical common sense and of the kind wishes of the powers at Washington, for it has been a great misfortune for Hawaii, to have been too often and too long represented abroad by foreigners, who never can be imbued with the true feelings and aspirations of a patriotic native, and have always been mere puppets of monied rings and family compacts.  The trouble is that men of the talent, tact, fortune and education required by the position are rather scarce here among the native born, and probably the very best that could be suggested, would be our present Minister of Foreign Affairs himself if, as a true Hawaiian, he could be spared here, but he cannot.  The late minister Cummins might be mentioned if he were willing to spend the money for obtaining a good private secretary to supply him with the intelligence and education of which he is lacking.  Messrs. Nawahi, Iaukea, Rosa and others, are also good very names, though not absolutely perfect for the necessities of the place; finally among the foreigners Hawaiian born, we could mention the Judges Judd and Dole, the first one especial suited by his education, knowledge of public affairs and general intelligence, if he could only put aside his narrow prejudices, his bigoted religious notions and his partiality for our nefarious family compacts.  Other names might also be suggested, on which we shall make future commentary, but one thing must be borne in mind by the selecting power and this is that their principal object must be to obtain an honest man, for the reason that the diplomatic and intellectual importance of the position in Washington will be greatly reduced by the fatal and unavoidable shifting of our commercial relations over to Canada and Australia.

            The consulship in San Francisco is a situation of business importance.  The present incumbent has succeeded in dissatisfying all the commercial men whose business is obliged to pass through his hands.  on the other hand he was only appointed and afterwards maintained in office on account of his being the brother of the McKinley of tariff fame and consequently as a means of ingratiating the Hawaiian interests with the senator.  It had been foolishly repeated here that so long as McKinley sr. was our consul, we had nothing to fear from the tariff; but now the facts have answered and every one can see of what use, or better of what utter uselessness, brother McKinley has been to our interests, so that there is now no more reason to keep such an unpopular man in the consulate.  Who ought to be the successor?  Most likely family compacts will unfortunately have more weight in the matter than common reason and considerations of practical fitness.  And yet the only requirement for the office is practical commercial ability.  The very best choice that could be suggested would be that of the present secretary or chief-clerk of the Foreign Office, who was once a brilliant and  capable “attaché” to the American consular corps, but who by his marriage in Hawaii, has become more Hawaiian than American.  Mr. Hastings combines in himself clerical and business capacity with valuable experience of the work, of the office, together with the highest integrity, so that, better than any other man, he could make the office in San Francisco fully what it ought to be.  Another good name would be that of Capt. Ross, whilst C.P. Iaukea would be a very suitable native candidate.  More anon.

 

OUR SACCHARINE RELATION TO THE UNITED STATES.

 

            We have never exercised our intellect in drawing dividends on sugar stock, yet we wish to call attention to a phase of the question in regard to United States revenues that seems to escape the notice of our planters.  They are clinging to the reciprocity treaty hoping that the American government will again impose duties on foreign sugars.  The whole value of the treaty to us depended on the exclusion or taxation of other sugars, so raising the price in the market to which we were admitted free.  The first and principal competitor, as a sugar-producing country is Cuba.  Our planters have declared that they cannot compete with Cuba.  But now, Cuba has obtained the permission of the Spanish government, to enter reciprocity treaty; and it is likely that others of the West Indies and the South American States will also make treaties for the free introduction of sugar.  The U.S. uses a concession for a valuable consideration. Then she deliberately destroys the value of the concession by admitting free  sugar, thus making hers an open market such as we could have for nothing.  Or, if the Cuba product is admitted, it amounts to the same thing since the sugar of that island with home-production, stimulated by a bounty, will fully supply the market.

            It will be seen that the United States is conducting as extremely profitable business in reciprocity treaties quite worthy of the land of the wooden nutmeg.  She negotiates a treaty with first one and then another of the sugar and coffee producing countries, and every treaty by increasing the amounts of free imports renders the previous concessions of less value, until when she has finished her dickering, all the sugar and coffee producing countries have free entry and her market is in the same condition as if there were free trade.  They find themselves competing with each other in an open market, the very condition which they hoped to escape.  The result is the sly Yankee has about forty reciprocity treaties with concessions and markets for his notions, and also free sugar and coffee.

            It almost amounts to this as far as Hawaii is concerned; reciprocity with Cuba on the same footing, is not worth having.

 

POEPOE.

 

            The “Holomua” is a subsidized and inspired native sheet says that we were compelled to retract and apologize for certain statements published in Ka Leo.  The Editor is Mr. Poepoe; in English, Rollybolly, in allusion to his style and movements.  Mr. Poepoe is a spy and traitor from away back in 1888, besides being an habitual liar.  And we never retract anything.

                        D.L. HUNTSMAN.

            15 Kaahumanu Street.

 

GRATITUDE.

 

            The gentlemen of the Cabinet may think that we haved made them an ill return for their patronage in the way of “By Authority” advertisements.—We have not been very easy on them; but we have been a whole lot easier than we otherwise would.  Nothing is wasted on us.

 

NOTICE.

 

            The International Rifle Association meets to-night at their new quarters at the corners of Hotel and Bethel Streets.  No oaths required.

 

 

THANK GOD!

 

            We have received creditable information by the steamer Hall that Messrs. Parker and Whiting have given the Queen their resignation.  No action is to be taken till the party returns.  It is understood that Widemann approves of their course and will also resign.  It is thought it will take a steam derrick to move Chas. Mahope.  We have another way to suggest here after.

 

FOR THE GOOD OF THE PARTY.

 

            A gentleman who is accused of being connected with ka Leo, met a friend on the street who thinks personal feelings ought to be sacrificed for the good of the party, National.

            He said:  “I hear they are going to use you for a door-mat.  Just, you let them do it; it won’t hurt you, as much as it will them.  If they want to wipe up the floor with you, let them do it; it will help the party; won’t hurt you a bit.  They will be all turned out of office.”  The gentleman is anxious to see vacancies in public offices, as are all good National Reformers.

 

THE RESPONSIBLE EDITOR.

 

            Lately there have been several calls for the “responsible” editor of Ka Leo.  So we feel constrained to explain the situation Mr. Huntsman is responsible for all he writes.  Mr. Bush looks out for the moral tone of the paper, and assumes all responsibility.  There is apolitical economist connected with the establishment; but as he is comparatively innocuous, we do not publish his name.  Though it might be reluctantly given to anyone earnestly seekding his scalp.

 

THE ILLUSTRATED MONTHLY.

            The “Paradise of the Pacific” has been publishing a series of portraits of the native aristocracy.  The wood-cuts are a little too dark.  We fear strangers abroad may conjecture that the Hawaiian nobility use shoe blacking to increase the natural luster of their complexions.

 

MISSIONARY.

 

            When the Gazette Company purchased the Pae Aina and its editor is allowed it to be understood that it was for political purposes.  the patriotism of that corporation is well known.  But all its political purposes have commercial ends; and so it was in this instance.

            The government has necessarily to do a good deal of advertising in the Hawaiian language, when the fathers of the church saw all this good government money thrown away on kanakas, it made their hearts heavy and they resolved to establish a dividend paying native paper.  So that pious company bought the Pae Aina and the government advertises therein, and the company sends in its bill and forthwith there is a division amongst them that own stock.

            How the righteous flourish!

Incidently they can compete with the native paper, and help discourage too free discussion public questions.  Truly the missionary is saturated with aloha for the poor native!!

 

A ROMANCE.

 

(CONTINUED.)

 

 

When he found it, he was told that the consul was out at a grand reception given by the King of Bowowee.  So he went back to his ship without having accomplished anything.

Next morning he again called on the supervisor.  that official told him that men could not to break their contracts, that Nyama had been assigned to work on a plantation at Hardrow, Bowowee.  “But,” he added graciously, “the women are not under contract and I can a find position for his wife here in town.  She had better not attempt to go with her husband.”

Moromoto went to the Consulate.  The consul wore glasses and seemed very haughty, but when Moromoto introduced himself, listened patiently to the whole story and at the end of it said he would see what could be done.  He went to the telephone and afgter securing the connection called:  “Is that you, Mr. Dives”  Oh! all right.  I want to speak to you about a young countryman of mine.  He has been sent to work on your plantation at Hardrow.  He is a man of good family, educated, speaks English.  It was a kind of a mistake coming as an immigrant, did not understand the conditions.  Well, can you give him some light work, clerical work. –In the store?—Yes, I don’t think he would make trouble, all right.  Thanks. Good—bye.

“Mr. Dives, the owner of the plantation at Hardrow says he can give your friend work in the store, as a clerk and interpreter,” said the consul turning to Moromoto.  “He will send a letter by the same boat to his manager.”

“Sir” said the young officer, “We are greatly indebted to you---.” “Not at all” interrupted the consul, “I am glad to serve you.  Mr. Dives is an excellent gentleman. You can depend on his word.  I think your friend goes on the steamer this afternoon.  His wife can join him at the wharf.”

Moromoto again expressed his thanks and bowed himself out  He did not know whether to be glad or sorry, but he knew his duty.  So he went to the hotel to tell Faza.  He found her sitting on the veranda dressed in a pale blue Japanese gown.  It was a rare sight to see her sad face brighten at the good news. 

He did not tarry beyond his errand and promising to come for her in the afternoon.

Faza began at once to pack their effects in the trunk and two valises they had purchased in Yokohama.  When Moromoto came she was quite ready.  He had paid the hotel bill.  She never thought of it.  The baggage was put in a ack and they drove down to the water front.

There were two great pens fenced off on the wharf.  There was a gate and by the gate a kind of box or office.  Two men sat in the window of the box; one was a foreigner and one a Japanese.

The pens were full of Japanese immigrants.  The interpreter called out a name from the book before him.  The owner of the name crowded to the gate and was let out.  He passed along a row of policemen and as he passed the window the interpreter gave him a large paper.  He then went on into the next pen which was along side a small steamer.

Faza and Moromoto stood by the luggage and watched the stream of people file past.  They waited some time; at last Faza cried out, “Oh there he is!”  Sure enough Nyama strode out, head down, hands in his pockets, looking dejected but full of wrath.  He went up to the office window, his eyes flashed, he was about to speak.  He heard a little cry—“O Nyama” and his wife was hanging on his neck.  He gently took her arms away “Not in public,” he said.

“Oh, Nyama,” she said “It is all right I am going with you.  Your friend Moromoto did it all, you will have money and everything, oh, I’m so glad!”

(To be Continued).