President. one question just behind the annexation of Hawaii is the conflict over labor. The situation in the Sandwich Islands in this regard seems to have been studiously ignored. as if it were something not desirable or prudent to consider. but it is there. as leprosy is there. Over thirty years ago Congress enacted a law prohibiting the importation of "coolies" from China. Japan. or any other oriental country. to be sold. disposed of. transferred. or held to service. (Revised Statutes. section 2158.) In 1875 the law was made stronger. (Supplement to Revised Statutes. page 86.) The statutes were notbroad enough to reach other labor. and thereupon Congress in 1885 enacted a law making it unlawful to prepay the transportation. or in any way assist or encourage the importation of any alien under "contract" or agreement. parol or special. express or implied. to perform labor or service in the United States. (See supplement. supra. page 479.) Nor is it lawful to promise employment through advertisements. and all inhibited labor coming here is to be at once sent back. (Supplement. supra. pages 541. 633. 935.) While such labor is prohibited. it is nevertheless proposed by annexation" to incorporate it into or attach it to our system by annexation. Of the 14.439 laborers on Hawaiian plantations in 1885. only 2.136 were natives. the remainder (12.303) was imported or "contract" labor. and the latter was of the poor and ignorant classes.