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Image provided by: University of Hawaii at Manoa; Honolulu, HI
Newspaper Page Text
AUSTIN'S HAWAIIAN WEEKLY. The Snmoan Commission nexation and the other with the internal. The former problem has been settled, but the latter still faces the American authorities, and will re quire the most careful handling, bound up as it indissolubly is with the attitude of the Philip pine Islanders toward the new masters of their territory. To an observer on the spot it was ap parent that not only were the authorities in the distance hardly alive to the complications which existed, but those in actual touch with them took what appears to be a very sanguine view of the situation. 8f $& The latest news from Samoa by the Alameda comes as a surprise. Hie work of the ba nioan Joint Commission has been made easier by the resignation of Ma lietoa Tanu as king, providing, he has the guar antee of the powers that he shall be the last King of Samoa. Malictoa Tanu is certainly a very wise and diplomatic young man. lie is fully aware of the fact he has not the power to defeat Mataafa with the sword and he believes that his opponent would not have the temerity to fight the combin ed forces of the United States, England and Ger many, lie, therefore, by diplomacy defeats his opponent, washes his hands of a bad business and gracefully retires with all the honors. It is evidently a "put up job" on Mataafa, who was undoubtedly properly elected King of Samoa and is entitled to hold the office. It is quite evident that the commission could not at first agree. The American and English members do not like to discredit Judge Chambers. To have failed to agree would have brought discredit upon the members of the commission; so the expediency was hit upon to persuade Malictoa to retire. The whole matter was thus whitewashed from top to bottom and Mataafa cheated of his birth-right, liut what rights can a poor "malo"-(cd) savage king have when it comes to the expediency of great nations. How long will the whitewash last? The question will rise again in the future as a bone of contention. Mataafa will doubtless conspire with the aid of Germans (not the Ger man Government) and if then the American and Uritish man-of-wars turn their guns on him and his naked following it will be equal almost to turning them on Germany. White-washing as an expedient seldom accomplishes any permanent good. In the Fullness of Years. Death of Queen Dowager Kapiolani. It was the sad duty of the daily press to re port the lamented death of Queen Dowager Ka piolani which occurred June 24th. The death of the Queen was not sudden or unexpected. She had been ailing for three years, having survived three paralytic strokes with a most extraordinary display of vitality. Dr. F. Howard Ilumphris, the attending physician, gives the immediate cause of death as uraenea. Of all the Hawaiian chiefesses who have de parted, with the possible exception of Pauahi and the late lamented Princess Kaiulani, her niece, none will be so genuinely mourned than Queen Kapiolani. She was the Queen consort of His late Majesty King Kalakaua, and, under in fluences not always conducive to the display of the most exalted womanly virtues, she was pre eminently distinguished for her spotless char ter and graces of mind and person. Her whole life stands as a shining example of rectitude, vir tue and amiability to the women of her race. From her high station she was ever prominent in charitable works among the poor. The condi tion of the tvomen of her race !rs J)?en her espe cial care and her charitable efforts have been ex erted principally for the welfare and maintenance of the Kapiolani Maternity Home and the Kapio lani Home for Girls. During the political difficulties incident upon the overthrow of the monarchy, and final annex ation of Hawaii to the United States, she has, with dignity, keep herself free from all compli cations, accepting with sorrow and resignation the loss of Hawaiian nationality. Her attitude was so lofty and dignified that it wins the sym pathy even of her political enemies. Queen Kapiolani was born December 31st, 1834, and was in her sixty-fifth year. She is of noble lineage, being the grand-daughter of Ka umualii, the last reigning king of Kauai. She is, therefore, a direct descendant of Nanaulu the first discoverer of these islands in the early part of the seventh century. It is doubtful whether any other person in the world represented an unin terrupted high born lineage of so many centuries. (used exclusively in the burial of royalty,) and a host of kahilis. The church was beautifully decorated by Mrs. Sam'l Allen assisted by the ladies. All that remains of Queen Kapiolani is now lying in state at Kawaiahao Church, and the funeral will take place to-morrow afternoon at 2 o'clock. The Kleugel Reception. The social event of the week was the reception given by Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kluegel at their residence last Saturday evening the 24th instant to commemorate their silver wedding. It was an exceedingly brilliant affair and the justly popular couple were congratulated by over 350 people comprising the wealth and culture of Ho nolulu. The decorations were a dream of beauty. The house was turned into a veritable fairy land. The walls of the reception room were simply covered It was in her home life that the Queen's womanly qualities shone to the best advantage. Sweetness and amiability, with a soft gentleness of voice and manner to all who approached her, were her chief characteristics. She had a smile for everyone. In the happy old palace days her favorite pastime was to sit under the shade of the great banyan tree, in the back of the palace yard, with her ladies in waiting, lounging lazily on the grass around her, and tease them about their sweethearts or worm a confession out of this or that timid one jealously guarding the secret of her heart. She loved her wayward lord King Kalakaua, but would never join his revels. She went very little into society and appeared in public usually only when her presence was neces sary at state dinners, balls and other functions of royalty. In 1886 Kapiolani attended Queen Victoria's jubilee and was received with all the honors due her high station. Last Wednesday night at mid-night the re mains of the deceased was removed from the Waikiki home to Kawaiahao Church, as is the custom, with flaming Arches of kukui-nut qil, with ferns and maile with red carnations inter vene with them. In the corner opposite the en trance a canopy of American and Hawaiian flags had been arranged with arch from wall to wall of ferns and carnations, in which nestled in sil ver letters, the inscription 1874-1899. Under this canopy Mr. and Mrs. Kluegel. Mrs. Persis G. Taylor, mother of Mrs. Kluegel, and Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Winnie, received the congratulations of their many friends. The other rooms were similarly decorated but each with different color ed carnations. The grounds were beautifully lighted and refreshments were served under a great canopy of canvas that had been arranged under the trees while the Hawaiian band discors ed music. Mr. and Mrs. Kluegel are old residents here and are justly popular and all congratulate them upon reaching successfully the mature half-wav station in married life. That the other half will be travelled as happily, to the golden wedding, is the sincere wish of all their friends. Mr. and Mrs. Kluegel received a Ycr,v iarg nimiber of valuable gifts. r