560-561
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a chance they would not have if Hawaii were annexed to the United States. The Chairman. You think a republic is quite possible.
Mr. Emerson. Yes. We want to eliminate politics out of that country, with such a polyglot people as we have.
Senator Gray. You do not have a republic there now?
Mr. Emerson. I presume we shall have a republic if you do not admit us.
The Chairman. You have been over the islands a good deal?
Mr. Emerson. I have been from end to end over the islands three times.
The Chairman. You know the face of the country?
Mr. Emerson. Yes.
The Chairman. What do you say as to the capacity of the Hawaiian Islands to maintain a population as great as they have now, upon their native productions?
Mr. Emerson. Do you mean white population?
The Chairman. The whole population. Will the islands sustain the population that you have there now on native productions?
Mr. Emerson. Certainly, five times as much.
The Chairman. It is a fertile country where it is arable?
Mr. Emerson. Yes. I believe it would sustain ten times as much.
Senator Gray. What is the population?
Mr. Emerson. It varies; Chinese and Japanese coming and going.
Senator Gray. I mean, about.
Mr. Emerson. Ninety thousand.
The Chairman. So that you think the islands could sustain a million of population?
Mr. Emerson. It would be better for that country if they cultivated coffee and the fruit industries, orange industries, instead of giving all up to sugar. We all feel that we want to have a variety of industries.
The Chairman. The cultivation that is going on in Hawaii is for export?
Mr. Emerson. Yes.
The Chairman. What you want is for domestic use?
Mr. Emerson. Yes, and for export. We want to have a larger variety of products for export.
Subscribed and sworn to.
O. P. Emerson.
The subcommittee adjourned to meet on Tuesday, January 2, 1894, at 10 o'clock a. m.
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SECOND DAY.
Washington, D. C, Tuesday, January 2, 1894.
The committee met pursuant to adjournment.
Present, the chairman (Senator Morgan) and Senators Gray and Frye.
Absent, Senators Butler and Sherman.
SWORN STATEMENT OF MR. PETER CUSHMAN JONES.
Senator Frye. Mr. Jones made a deposition in Honolulu, which deposition was sent to me. My idea is to read it to Mr. Jones and the committee, and if Mr. Jones make it a part of his testimony here it would save to the committee one or two hours of time.
The Chairman. There being no objection, that course can be taken.
Senator Gray. Is that deposition published in any of the documents that we have.
Senator Frye. No. It is a deposition that was given by Mr. Jones in Honolulu before he left there. It was given to be used in this investigation. It is as follows:
- Hawaiian Islands,
- Honolulu, Oahu, ss.:
- P. C. Jones, being duly sworn, deposes and says that he was born in Boston, Mass., United States of America; that he came to Honolulu in the year 1857, and has resided here since that time; that he has large business interests here, and is at present engaged with his son in the business known as "The Hawaiian Safe Deposit and Investment Company;" that on the 8th day of November, A. D. 1892, he was commissioned by the then Queen Liliuokalani minister of finance, and retained that office until the 12th day of January, A. D. 1893, the cabinet to which he belonged being generally known as the Wilcox-Jones cabinet; that he is acquainted with James H. Blount and knows the time when that gentleman came to Honolulu as special commissioner; that soon after his arrival he called upon him and said in effect as follows: "As I was intimately acquainted with the Government during the last two months of the monarchy I may be able to give some information in regard to our affairs, and I shall be pleased to give my statement if you desire it"; that Mr. Blount thanked him, said he would be pleased to have it, and would let him know when he would be ready to grant him an interview; that a careful statement was prepared by this affiant on the 25th day of May, A. D. 1893, from which this affidavit is taken, reciting all the important events connected with the Government from the 8th day of November, A. D. 1892, up to the 16th day of March, A. D. 1893, that period including the events of January 17, of which this affiant was fully cognizant; that the said James H. Blount never asked for this interview and this affiant never had any opportunity of presenting the statement, although he is informed and believes that other persons suggested to Mr. Blount that he secure the statement.
- Affiant further says that his knowledge of the revolution and the events immediately leading up thereto is as follows: When it was known about town that the Queen was to proclaim a constitution great
S. Doc. 231, pt 6------36
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