The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1870-06-01

contrary, seemed to consider it an inter
loper, that had stepped in to mar their
schemes, which, so far as developed, are,
the substituting of Mr.. Webb's line, with
steamers that may touch at Honolulu or
not, just-as close calculation of their own
interests may eventually determine. The
Adoertiser was not at all out of the way
some weeks since, in stating that there
was as much chance that Webb's line
would proceed via Tahiti and the Fiiijjiis
as that it would go via Honolulu. Ger
tainly, the Californian journals would be
clamorous to turn the line in that direc-
tion if it would add the smallest fraction
to their trade or gain few hours on the
passage.
California is our nearest market, and
already in possession of our trade, and
her journalists, believing that it must
always centre there, look upon US
as a commercial appanage, with whose
progress and development they are but
little concerned, and whether the Islands
have steam or sail communication is
quite unimportant.
Their helpfulness is well illustrated by
their articles on matters and Congress
sional Legislation that has related to these
Islands. The law that created the China
and Japan line of steamers, had pro
vision inserted at the suggestion of the
Hawaiian Envoy, then in Washington,9
that Honolulu should be way port; the
contract was accepted by the company,
and fine steamboat wharf was built
here, in expectation that the steamers
would so touch but it was not to the
interest of California that the steamers
should touch here, and they never have
The vaunted "great circles route was
abandoned ON the first trial, and the
southern route, now adopted, is to be
glorifed by the inexpensively reconstructed,
safe and commodious harbor of Midway
Island
A proposition was made in Congress to
give subsidy of 100000 to steam line
to connect Honolulu and San Francisco
with a monthly service, but, probably to
make it more efficient, as well as to de-
monstrate their friendliness, California
Congressman, with the approval of their
journals, caused it to be reduced twenty
five per cent. Slow steam and high
postage was observed to be the sound
thing for their Island friends
To most persons here, the Reciprocity
Treaty, as a measure conducive to the
commercial interests of both California
and these Islands, seemed sufficiently ad-
visable to be worthy of earnest support,
but beyond a very uncertain and luke
warm support, their journals have deemed
it hardly interesting enough for passing
article. Very helpful have they always
been to Island interests
1t is interesting to note, in considering
the detriment" which ".Fair Play"
thlhhc NOui heNS Oli bhS lliiO
to be established, what conditions the
law now before Congress places upon the
bidders. "Nor unless the pro-
posal accepted by the Postmaster-General
shall also be accepted by sufficient num-
Der of the aforementioned countries" Ito
wit: Sandwich Islands, Fiji, New Gale
donia, New Zealand and the Australian
Colonies "and that distinct and separate
contracts, containing similar provisions to
be made with such Governments, for
additional subsidies to the said monthly
line of steamers" The Webb line, it
seems, is not to have even American sup
port, unless all the other countries join in
giving subsidies. Mr. Editor, it is barely
possible that Fair Play" on reconsider
alton, may conclude to approve of your
views with e faint praise" Yours,
EVEN CHANCE.