The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1875-04-14
IMP OR TANr NEWS
Passage of the Hawaiian Reel
procity Treaty!
AIIRaW Sugars Free Rice to be Free

On Thursday morning last, the Mail Steamer
Macgregor, Captain Granger, appeared off
Diamond Head, gaily decked with flags, and the
international code signal, announcing the treaty
passed. On entering the harbor the welcome
news soon spread that the Senate had rati-
fed it by a large majority Of 81 to ~, or about
four-ffths of the Senators present As the
mail ship passed the Z. S. war steamer Pensa-
cola, the vessels exchanged salutes, and the
band of the latter played a national air.
The details of the discussion will be found
on our fourth page, which were published in
extras on the day of arrival. Further details
are given in our columns to-day. 1t is UNDER
stood that all grades of raw Hawaiian sugars
and rice, with the articles before published, are
to be admitted free in all American ports while
large list of American products, specified
in the treaty, are to be admitted here free.
The text of the treaty cannot be published,
until the notifications are finally exchanged, and
Congress has provided FORTS operation. This is
owing to a rule or custom of the American gov
eminent that no document laid before the Sen
ate in its executive capacity, can be publish
ed until after final action has been taken on it.
The only material amendment made by the
Senate was, that during the continuance Of the
treaty, the Hawaiian government may not cede,
sell or lease any portion of its territory to any
foreign power. This was evidently done in case
an attempt should be made by another power to
acquire an advantage or foothold here; though
it is well known here that the Hawaiian people
are strongly opposed to ceding away any part of
their territory. This clause will only render
the treaty more popular with them than it has
been, and is, moreover, an additional guaranty
of the independence of the group, to secure
which has really been the impelling object of
the American Senate in ratifying the treaty.
There is nothing in the treaty giving privi-
leges to American citizens or ships over those
of other nations. The reciprocity clauses apply
exclusively to goods and merchandise named
init.
Hawaii has obtained this special favor, not
because the reciprocity between the two
countries will be equal, but because the Am
erican people feel a great interest in main
tanning our national independence, and they
are willing to make sacrifice, in financial
point, for this purpose. For this Hawaii owes
debt of gratitude to America. To all the
Senators who voted for the treaty, but more
especially to Senators Kelly and Mitchell,
of Oregon, Senator Cameron of Pennsylvania,
Hamlin of Maine, Sargent of California, and
Jones of Nevada, as well as to the President
and his Cabinet, the Hawaiian people will ever
feel grateful. The American press has also
shown the warmest friendship for us in this
effort to form a closer commercial union
The visit of King Kaakaua, no doubt, aided
much in securing this boon for us, as his man
ly and modest bearing won for him and for us
an unmistakable friendship. The Ala says
very truthfully: at is more than probable
that the recent visit of the Hawaiian King to
and through a good portion of our country
materially aided the passage of the treaty.
He came, although King, democratically,
and as far as possible, without any of the pom
derous formalities which monarchs are so fond
of wrapping themselves up in. He proved
himself an agreeable, intelligent, well-behaved
gentleman, and in those characteristics we see
more of the qualities which honor the name
and state of King than can all the form and
ceremony of Courts, even that most pretentious
one of China" The same paper adds: "The
Hawaiian Treaty has passed the ordeal of the
Senate, the telegraph says by vote of fifty
one to twelve, very decided majority We
think that besides any prospective pecuniary
and business advantage which the Senate and
the country saw in this treaty, there was a
strong feeling of sympathy for a weak people
and Government who appealed to a great ma
ton for favor. 1t may be that some see in
this an eventual acquisition of the Islands. 1t
may be so but we think that idea had but lit
tie to do with negotiating the treaty"
There is nothing in this treaty which any
European power can take exception to- The
principle of reciprocity by treaties has
been recognized by England and France, and
both these Governments will probably fully
endorse it in this case. The chief benefit which
Hawaii will derive under the treaty will be the
impetus which it will give to industry among
all classes, natives as well as foreigners twill
be Hawaii's great opportunity measure
that will attract immigrants from every
quarter of the globe, and speed her and her
people on the ocean of prosperity while
America will secure an increased trade in
lumber, flour and manufactures, the demand for
which will constantly expand as our products
and industries increase. In this way the adj
vantages will be mutual, though they may not
be equal in value.