No. 388.
Mr. Comly
to Mr. Evarts.
Legation of
the United States,
Honolulu, July 5, 1880.
(Received July 22.)
No. 117.]
Sir: I have the honor to transmit certain documents
prepared by Rev. Hiram Bingham, on behalf of the board of the Hawaiian
Evangelical Association, after verbal consultation with me. The papers
present the whole case clearly.
The German consul named in the papers is reported to be guilty of another
outrage against the simple people of the islands. He sold goods to the
natives, and got them in debt to him. He then demanded payment of these
debts by the community, one whole island. The islanders not being able to
comply with his demands, he fined them 200,000 pounds
of copra, an amount more than the total production of the island. [Page 615] As it was impossible to pay this,
he took possession of certain lands and harbors in the name of the German
Government.
There are outrages going on constantly in the Southern Pacific which ought to
receive attention, but it seems difficult to reach them with a remedy. It
might be worth while for the United States to send a commissioner—some
minister already in commission might go, with an allowance for expenses—to
visit these islands with a man-of-war, and establish their status
internationally, for their protection.
I have, &c.,
[Inclosure 1 in No. 117.]
Mr. Bingham to Mr.
Comly.
Sir: Inclosed you will find copies of certain
documents which were forwarded to us from Jaluit by a Mr. J. L. Young,
and which were considered by the board of the Hawaiian Evangelical
Association at a late meeting.
After such consideration I was instructed by that board to confer with
you, the United States minister resident, and secure, if possible,
assurances from you that the United States Government will not interfere
to protect any United States citizen who may violate the ordinance of
the ruling chief of the Ralik group for the suppression of the sale, or
supplying in any way, of any intoxicating liquors of any kind to any
native of the Ralik group, or to any native of any other island in the
ocean who is not a subject or citizen of some civilized power.
A copy of this ordinance will be found among the inclosures.
Trusting that your interest in the welfare of the various tribes of the
Pacific will lead you to give this subject the attention which it justly
claims, and to so represent it to the government which you represent as
to secure from it the desired assurances,
I have, &c.,
HIRAM BINGHAM,
Corresponding Secretary
pro tem., of Board of Hawaiian Evangelical
Association.
[Inclosure 2 in No.
117.—Translation.]
Chief of Ralik group to
United States consul,
Honolulu.
Sir: Herewith I beg to forward you a copy of an
ordinance which I have been compelled to establish on these islands in
order to save my people from their drinking of intoxicating liquors.
I do not desire to make any laws affecting foreigners, but only to
prevent my own people obtaining liquor.
I would therefore request that you will afford me your assistance in my
endeavors, by causing citizens of the United States in these islands to
conform to this ordinance.
I wish to say that an American citizen, one Thomas Tilton (colored), has
established a liquor store on this island, and is one of the principal
causes of the increase in the drinking of liquor by my people.
Trusting that you will lend me your assistance in my efforts for the good
of my people,
LEBON (KABUA,)
Ruling Chief Ralik
Group, Marshall Islands.
I agree and witness:
Loeak.
[Page 616]
[Inclosure 3 in No. 117.]
Mr. Young to Rev.
Mr. Bingham.
Sir: Knowing the interest you feel in these
islands with their people, allow me to hand you herewith copies of the
ordinance which the ruling chief here, Lebon, has just issued with the
assistance and approval of the second chief, Loeak.
The drinking of liquor is increasing so fast here among the young people,
and even women, that it is high time that an effort was made to put a
stop to it; but I fear that the chiefs will not have energy or
determination enough to carry out their present desires, which are to
prevent natives obtaining liquor entirely. The chiefs have written, as
you will see, to the United States consul in Honolulu, and will also
write to the British consul in Samoa, and the German consul-general in
the latter place, requesting their assistance. The acting German consul
here will not assist, as he himself is a member of the firm that sells
the liquor upon which the natives get drunk.
Yours, in haste,
[Inclosure 4 in No.
117—Translation.]
Ordinance respecting sale of liquor.
Because of my knowledge that intoxicating liquor is destroying my people
on these islands, and because I wish to take care of and keep back all
my people from death and from evil, I, Lebon (Kabua), the supreme chief
of the Ralik group, do hereby now make known this ordinance:
- 1.
- It shall be unlawful for any foreigner in the Ralik group to
sell, or supply in any way, any intoxicating liquors of any kind
to any native of the Ralik group, or to any native of any other
island in the ocean who is not a subject of some civilized
power.
- 2.
- If any foreigner shall break this ordinance, he shall suffer
loss as follows: if he breaks the law once he shall pay $100 in
cash to me, or if a second time he shall leave these islands
forever.
- 3.
- This ordinance shall come in force from and after the 6th day
of May, 1880.
I, Lebon (Kabua), have made this ordinance
this 29th of April,
1880, at Jaluij, Ralik group.
I,
LEBON (KABUA).
I agree with and witness:
I, Loeak.
Secretary,
I,
JEREMIA.
