Hawaii Sugar Magnate Zephaniah Spalding Pens A Lengthy Missive About Hawaii, Business, And World War One [War] Is Easy To Begin; It Is Not Easy To Stop

ZEPHANIAH SWIFT SPALDING (1837-1927). Spalding, a Union Army Colonel, was a statesman and sugar magnate in Hawaii.ALS. 8pgs. April 22, 1916. Kealia, Kauai, [Hawaii]. An autograph letter signed Z. S. Spalding. The sugar magnate wrote to Mr. Franklin, a New Yorker, from Kealia, his plantation on the Hawaiian island of Kauai. His lengthy letter concerns World War One, a topic on which Spalding obviously had strong opinions, as well as business, the shipping industry, personal news, and life in Hawaii. It also mentions Spaldings service in the Civil War: You say the War has caused many radical changes in New Yorks business conditions and methods which, in your opinion, have come to stay. I quite agree with you, because, for the first time in its history, the United States are really brought into association and in many ways into competition with Europe. We have for many years supplied Europe with cotton, flour and pork; but, when I was a boy my jack knife came from England, as did most of the manufactured things. Even when I was in business, in New York (1859 & 1860), we used to ship flour in round hoop (i.e. hoops with the bark on) barrels, and we imported even Pig Iron! The discovery of Coal Oil and the War of the Rebellion gave us the first impetus for increased manufactures, but our Merchant Marines had become demoralized and we were unable to cope with England and Germany in the building of steamships for ocean voyagesCongress seems to have awakened to the fact that the water requires different laws from the land, and that even the old sea lawyer, on board the ship, was not so bad as a trade union in the forecastle! So we may hope, with our new Merchant Marine, to have laws made for the occasion and purpose, and not the idleof the land lubber. Then, if we can build steamers for from Fifty to One hundred dollars per ton, according to completeness, I think we may find that Britain has ruled the wave for the last time! Present prices, of course, are due to present conditions. The war will (I think) last for another year. I gave them 3 years, on the start. It is easy to begin; it is not easy to stop. Genl Sherman said the Rebels should have stopped on the fall of Vicksburg; and when the Atlanta campaign ended in their defeat they were foolish to continue, so he had to force them by his march to the sea, and tis results. The Prussians depended upon their efficiency and promptness of attack, but the Belgians stood them off long enough to show their plans, and allow General Joffre to place his men where they could make a show of defense According to Shermans theory of Military War, William should have acknowledged his mistake, and made his peace! But William is bull headed, and had worked so hard, for so many years, to make his Army invincible, he couldnt see his way clear enough! Never, since the 12th of September 1914, have the Prussians had a chance to end their dastardly invasion of a little neutral country, on their way to devastate France, by a victory of Despotism over Republicanism! The Battle of the Marne was a victory of valor over numbers: of bravery over brute strength. The message sent by General Foch to his commander, Genera Joffre, is worthy of a place in history. He said my left has been forced back, my right is routed. I shall attack with the centre. Such men are not to be overcome, even by the Hellfire and stinkpots of the Prussians!...We, here, believe in preparedness, and are raising a National Guard, besides having strong force of U.S. Army and Navy. We have 2 full companies on the plantation, mostly Portuguese, Philippinos, [sic] Natives and a few American JapaneseWe have a great many Japanese, born in the country, who have been educated here and in my opinion will make good citizens. One governmental school, on the plantation, has over 300 Japanese scholars who are very smart and even though they go to a Japanese school, as well, will make good Americans. The Koreans are less tractible [sic], and generally hate the Japanese. Education is compulsory and free of costWith best wishes and regards Very truly yours Z.S. Spalding. The lengthy and fascinating letter is in fair condition. It is written on low-quality, lined paper that has discolored and torn along the folds. A photograph of Spalding is also included, as are six black-and-white photos and other background material relating to Spalding and his plantation. Letters from Kauai in this period are scarce.