No one could say enough pleasant things about its light-hearted, kindly people, its marvellous vegetation, its lovely flowers, its delicious fruits, and its generous soil in which anything that was planted would grow.
When we think of Cuba to-day, laid waste by fire and sword, with barren fields and starving people, we cannot help feeling that the causes must have been great which led to such a terrible sacrifice.
The only news relating to Hawaiian matters this week is that Japan is seriously angry with us over the treatment her Minister at Washington has received at the hands of the Secretary of State.
It would seem that the Japanese are extremely precise and particular about the way their diplomatic affairs are conducted.
Their idea of what is necessary on such occasions is very different from ours, and unfortunately the Japanese Ministers both at Honolulu and Washington have not received the treatment that, according to their views, is due them.
Minister Hoshi, in Washington, is so indignant that he was not informed of the negotiations in regard to the treaty, that it is said he has asked to be recalled to Japan.
His displeasure has been increased by Secretary Sherman's failure to reply to his letter asking for an explanation.
We told you that England had been making arrangements with Portugal to secure Delagoa Bay, in South Africa, and that this contract, if concluded, would give Great Britain the control of the only port available for the people of the Transvaal.