The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1873-06-28
P45lisHcrs and Prlprie'ors

IHE EXERCISING SEIAEfI OF Ql-cA-zlbu III tif
community continues 70 be the projcct Of 4 Treaty
Of Reciprocity with the United States, and the
attendant scheme which grows out Of the Projcct,
the eession Of Pear Harbor. 1t has become
quite apparent that there exists among the foreign
residents two parties. who take very opposite
views on the question Of Offering to ceie, though
il IS equally apparent that the opponents Of the
measure are greatly in the minority. And 1t II
safe to say that there are foreigners to be found
who are opposed to eyen Z Reciprocity Treaty,
pure and simple. The opposition Of the latter
class, it may fairly be concluded, arises either
from ignorant prejudice, like that which prevails
70 I great extent among the natives, or from 4
short-sighted and reckless spirit OF mere opPosi-
ton. It Is Z matter for regret to be compelled to
admit that there exists in this small community
a set Of would-be nar-plots and it is still more
70 be regretted that their mischievous influence
is being very freely exerted and powerfully felt
among the native population. The latter, as We
have intimated, have very inadequate ideas Of
what would really be the effect upon the country
ut large by the operation Of q Treaty Of Reci-
procity, and the u%nanimity and intensity of their
opposition to the Pearl HarbOr cession is in pro-
portion 10 their lack Of correct information IS TO
what it really means, and just how far it would
affect the independence of the islands. As we
have stated on several previous occasions, any
thing looking to an alienation of the sovereignty
of the country, is regarded by the people, it may
safely DE asserted, without n single individual
exception, as utterly ont of the question and as
they have come to consider the Pearl Harbor
question as the primary step in the direction Of
annexation it may therefore be easily understood
in what light they view that proposition. 1t is
but just to the foreign community that this state
ment OF the condition Of the native mind should
be made at this time, for there is undoubtedly q
great deal Of misapprehension existing.
Meantime it would be interesting and indeed
important to know, just Mt this ~juncture of affairs,
what are the views and opinions and what is to
be the policy Of His Najesty's Ministers upon
these important subjects, which so largely occupy
public attention and discussion. Rumors are
indeed abundant, but contradictory, as to the
complexion of the Cabinet on the proposed ces-
sion of Pearl Harbor as a part of the Reciprocity
Treaty, but absolutely nothing reliable on the
subject is known to the public. That public may
boil and bubble and fret itself over this and that
rumor that the Cabinet have agreed to negotiate
for the Treaty with the offer of Pearl IlarbOr rs
a basis, and then again that they have not SO
agreed that ut the meeting held in the last week
Of May. a measure was concluded upon that, as
was then declared, - will live in the history o
the country and then, per contra, that there
was only a preliminary and very latitudinarian
conversation on that occasion. All these varying
tales, always coming from the best of author
ity,' may in turn serve to excite or muse the
hungry public-but the Cabinet is rs reticent as
the Sphinx, and remains wrapped in its diplo-
matte immObility. The late Emperor Napoleon
could not have been made more mysteriously
silent. when the balance Of European peace or
war hung suspended at his will, than are our
Hawaiian Solons on this mooted question Of a
cession or lease of u few miles square of sand and
coral. But perhaps after all, they are silent
because there is really nothing for them to say
because in fact, no definite conclusion has been
arrived at. In any case, 4 distinct declaration of
just what position our Government occupies on
subjects of deep LatIonal interest. at n time like
the present when there is a general anxiety and
solicitude, is n public necessity. If however it
shall appear that, notwithstanding the exigencies
of the situation Ministers have really no policy
of their own, they may with propriety be asked
to resign their positions, and make room for those
who may be capable of naugurating something
like n policy.