The Liberal, Volume I, Number 38, 14 January 1893 — Odds and Ends [ARTICLE]

Odds and Ends.

There seems to be an impression in Washington that the United States has Pearl Harbor for keeps. It is quite likely that this little delusion will be dissipated before long. Uncle Sam cannot play the grab act, and, in fact it is not likely that any serious attempt will be made to hold Pearl Harbor perpetually under the present treaty.

The San Francisco Call in an editorial concerning Pearl Harbor used the following language: "The competition of such a harbor would give the United States such a hold upon Hawaii as to insure that whenever the moment for absorption or annexation arrived the whole group would naturally be appropriated in the United States. There is little to fear from Great Britain in this matter. The country has quite enough territory on its hands, and it understands very well the temper of the United States were a British annexation attempted." The above extract expresses an idea that is abroad in the Uinted

States viz: That Hawaii must sooner or later be gobbled up by the United States. Just as why it is Imagined that this nation must "natually be appropriated by the United States" sooner or later is not easy to understand. Why the United States should have a claim on Hawaii is no unsolved problem. Why does not one hear of absorbing Mexico or Cuba? It does not follow by any means the Hawaii must be absorbed by America or any other country, The independence of this country is guaranted by Great Britain and France, and there is no reason for this talk in the American press about absorption and annexation. The subject is a favorite one for half-witted writers who know nothing about this country, and hardly seem to know the fixed policy of the United States government regarding acquisitions of outside territory. A study of all conditions concerning Hawaii and its position clearly shows that it must remain an independent nation. It must work out its temporal salvation on an independent line, and the twaddle about absorption only shows the paucity of material to engage the attention of newspaper scribblers or their own inherent inanity. The Bureau of Information is receiving a large number if letters from correspondents the world over. Her Majesty has been an assiduous worker during the last few weeks. She personally reads every bill presented for her signature, and familiarizes herself with the provisions of every act. This is sometimes a laborious proceeding, as the judiciary act was long enough and prosy enough to tax the patience of anyone severely. In reorganizing the finances of the country and adjusting matters to the reduced items as provided for in the Appropriation Bill, the Minastray will have a difficult task, and one that is not to be envied. There is no steamer going to the coast for sometime, and the news gossips will have ample time to grind out letter telling of the horrible condition of things in Hawaii. How would this do for a sample: "There is such a scarcity of money that a dollar is worth $1.15, and 25 cents has been offered for the sight of a gold piece. Buttons and washers are used for currency, and the government mint is making money ont of leather. All the soldlers are without buttous as a brass button, is good for a schooner of beer or a week's board." If there is a great rush to get sensational news to the States, it could be sent to Auckland and telegraphed on to the rest of the world. It has been suggested that the last cabinet made a mistake in their action or non-action on the lottery It has been said, that as soon as the lottery bill was passed then the cabinet should have at once appealed to the House by asking for a vote of confidence on their stand on the bill. Should a vote of confidence have been lost the cabinet would have had only one course - to resign. As such a step was not a constitutional requirement, it was not considered necessary and the cabinet have the double mortification of see-

ing their policy rejected and their resignations compelled on a specific resolution. A great many people are concerned about the lottery law. Let it be remembered that $250,000 must be deposited here before the first drawing, and that it will be necessary to spend at least $200,000 more in making preparation for the initial drawing, a total of $450,000. Such a sum is not handy always, and there is no use in worrying over the measure as yet. When the quarter of a million is put into the government treasury it will time to alarmed, and if this event ever happens, why the lottery may not be such a bad thing after all. Or, if it is a bad thing, we will make the best of it and hope that good may come from evil. There are worse things than lotteries in this world. Grand, decit and hypocrisy are worse; doubledealing and 20 per cent for internet are worse; a Shylock is worse than a gambler and hypocrisy will sink to deeper depths in the alleged in-

ferna of the theologian than a lottery ticket. Yes, there are many worse things than a lottery, and if the lottery ever finds a lodgment here, it will not be our greatest iniquity, nor will it be the sin that will occopy the most of the time of the recording angel who deals with sins national and individual.

A cafe at the World's fair for the of Hawaiian coffee is now proposed, and the project is one that should receive any government encourafgement which can be offered. The attention that this undertaking would call to this country as a coffee producing region would certainly result in beneficial results. With thousands and tens of thousands of acres producing the seductive beverage, the prosperity of the nation would be assured. At Chicago is an opportunity to boom our coffee and to make it known to the world, and it will be unfortunate indeed if the scheme cannot be carried out.

The Maybrick Case. The British Home Office, of which Mr. Asquith is the present head, has made a most extraordinary reply to the petition of the women of America for justice and mercy toward Mrs. Maybrick, who is now being tortured to death in an English prison on a charge, thought to be false, of having administered poison to her husband. Among the signers of the petition were Mrs. Harrison, the wives of the members of President Harrison's cabinet, including Mrs. Blaine, and many prominent ladies in all parts of the country. The petition, reccived a semi-official character from being forwarded through the State Department and the American Legation in London. Ignoring not only the traditions that enjoin courtesy between nations, but also the unwritten laws that enjoin courtesy from a man toward women, Mr. Asquith brutally insults in his reply the United States and the estemable ladies who signed the petition. The document is characterized as the most impudent paper that ever found its way into the office of the Homo Secretary, and its plea is dismissed as "wholly unprecedented— Illustrated American

The Pitcairn Islanders

The American clipper ship, A.J. Fuller, stopped at Pitcairn island, in the South Pacific, on her last voyage from San Francisco to New York, and put the lonely islanders in communication with the rest of the world for the first time in nearly a year. Captain Colcord reported that he received a royal welcome from the descendants of the mutineers of the Bounty. Peace and happiness were reigning supreme on the island. Sickness was almost unknown, and no death had occurred in six years. The population of the island was one hundred and thirty-nine. Pitcairn island is two and one-quarter miles in length and one mile in breadth. Cocoanuts, bananas, and oranges abound, and the climate is mild and grateful. The people bear a high character for virtue, contentedness, and uprightness. The island was annexed by Great Britain in 1889, but the islanders govern themselves. It was settled in 1790 by nine of the mutineers of H.M.S. Bounty, with six Tahitian men and a dozen women. The Bounty had been sent to Tahiti to collect bread fruit trees, and her crew mutinied because of ill treatment by Captain Bligh, whom they set adrift in an open boat with eighteen men. The mutineers and the Tahitian men murdered each other until only one man, John Adams, English, remained alive. Sobered by his tragic experience, he set about the education of the women and their children in Chirstian principles. From this source the present virtuous islander are descended. They have twice been removed to islands in communication with the civilized world, but after a short experience most of them have become disgusted with our ways, and have preferred to return to their solitude.

Jinks- What is your definition of gentleman? Oliver-That he ceases to be one when he must be defined. Where now is the plumber that often has robbed us? The beckman who spared not the widow and They're all in Chicago awaiting the fair?

Success at Last A gray-haired broken down old man, with eye and cheek. Climbed up the step one Winter's day, With humble men and meek. He rang the bell and a woman came and stood in the open door. And a smile spread over his wrinkled face As he saw his wife once more. And the old glad light shone in his eyes, And his husky voice grew clear, As he said, "It almost knocked me out, But I matched that ribbon, dear."