The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1873-09-13

IL 1N jon SO"tHScE "a 1AtfhtNS VI
August Dist, We find the following sensible and
timely editorial on
HAWAIIAN REcIPRocITY.-The Reciprocity oues-
ton is again agitating the minds of the Sandwich
Islanders to a marked extent. Although the King
has decided, after long and mature reflection, that
such a treaty with the United States would greatly
enhance the welfare of his subjects, and has signifed
his intention to push it as vigorously as possible, the
opponents Of this measure are not altogether dis
heartened, and are endeavoring to arouse native hos
tility by a resort to all sorts of chicanery and mis-
representation. They are inducing the natives to
believe that reciprocity involves a partial cession of
their possessions and rights for the present, prelim-
mary to total alienation in the future. In support
Of these assertions they cite the giving up of Pearl
River Harbor as a coaling and naval station for the
United States, and the prospect of annexation follow
ing reciprocity. The parties who are striving to
turn the King from his purpose are the subjects of
foreign maritime powers, and Americans who, from
q long and safe distance, fought hard for the South
ern Confederacy ten years ago, and have not yet
abandoned their luminosity against the Union. Reel
procity will enable the islanders to find q steady and
sure market for their products, nearer home, and
with more profitable results than can be obtained
elsewhere. A removal of duties Will cause 4 more
vigorous demand in this country for whatever they
can supply, and in turn, will operate as q more as
sured and steadier consumption Of our manufactured
goods. 1t can only better the condition of both par
ties to the treaty, simply because an interchange of
products can be effected on cheaper and mutually
DSueUClhA I'LL III a u ItEdIuS IuueAlLlOQ,
We can but ask, in what respect is the condition of
q Hawaiian subject more preferable than that Of an
American citizen Wherein are their laws or insti-
tutions superior TO ours? In what are they more
prosperous and happy? If it can be shown that q
native Of the islands, or 4 foreigner resident there,
will lose or be injured by the change, there would be
some excuse for the rabid opposition shown by the
parties above described, but history repels the idea,
and they are careful TO avoid fair discussion of the
subject upon its own merits. It is possible that the
efforts Of those gentlemen may be supplemented by
opposition on the part of Eastern sugar importers,
who may imagine that the entrance of Sandwich Isl
and sugar, duty free, will interfere with their chances
for markets in Utah, New Mexico, Montana, Idaho
and Colorado, but they may as well abandon all such
expectations, for those markets either are now, or
soon will be, monopolized by San Francisco. They
have a wide enough field in other portions of the
Union. As q strategic point for naval operations
Pearl River Harbor IS OF great value TO our govern
ment. Had it been in our possession during the late
civil wsr, Confederate cruisers could not have PLAYED
havoc, as they did. with our Pacific whaling fleets.
Mr.. Rhodes, of Honolulu, advances the puerile prop
osition, that American occupation Of Pearl River
HarbOr would be q menace 10 foreign nations. In
deed Does not Mr.. Rhodes also believe, that Eng
lish possession of Barbados, Antigua. st. Christie
pher, Jamaica, and q host of fine islands which
fringe the Caribbean Sea, and are within o few hours
sail Of the Florida coast, is q menace to the United
States? We feel confident that King Lunalilo will
steadily consult the best interests Of his subjects and
country by adhering TO his present purpose, and
making terms of close amlty with a strong maritime
power which is his nearest neighbOr. And We be-
lieve that the American Government will entertain a
more favorable impression of the benefits accruing
to all parties by a Reciprocity Treaty than it has
heretofore accorded.