National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-03-04
HAWAIIAN RECIPROCITY TREATY

This treaty has been the subject of some
unfayorable comment by interested parties.
The policy of making a treaty of this kind.
and thereby preventing those islands from
getting into foreign hands, is not new with
the present Administration. Mr.. VIM. L.
Marcy first negotiated similar treaty, and
in 1867 Mr.. Seward, with his earnest de-
sire to establish the national supremacy in
the Pacific, authorized General E. NJ. Nc
Cook, the United States Minister to Hawaii,
to make similar treaty, except that the
terms of the present treaty are more favor
able to the manufactures and commerce Of
the United States. The sugar refners of
San Francisco made a strong opposition to
the last treaty, substantially the same as
their protest against the present treaty, but
careful investigation has shown that their
objections are based upon misrepresentation
of the producing capacity of the islands,
which all writers agree in stating as very
small, and even Mr.. Wells, who investi-
gated the matter in 1867. puts the pos
sible product Of sugar under the most
favorable circumstances, at fifty million
pounds, which is a large estimate, but
would then only amount to two thirds of
the annual importation of the port of San
Francisco alone, while others put it at
much less. The San Francisco sugar re-
finers, in their protest, acknowledge the
considerations of overshadowing ma
tional requirement" which render the
treaty polite, but suggest an amendment
which the Hawaiians would probably not
agree TO, and which would be solely in the
interest Of the four interested parties max.
ing the protest.
The Government is in possession of all
the necessary information, gathered by its
diplomatic agents at the islands, and the
Senate will doubtless be furnished with
correct data.
1t is stated by those favoring the treaty
that no sugars from the islands can ever
compete with Eastern sugar, the grow.
ing consumption Of the Pacific coast in.
creaslng much moro rapidly than under
any circumstances the production OF the
Islands can. The effect Of the treaty upon
Our revenue has been carefully made up at
the Treasury Department, and will be pre-.
sented 10 the Senate with precision.
II Ia stated that some amendments OF q
political character will DO made In tho
Senate, and there Is little doubt but that lis
political Importance will insure liz success.
The objection which has been made In 70.
gard 10 possible complications with other
''most favored nations" has been carefully
considered, and will be shown 10 be ground.
less In this instance
II II believed that In tho near future
some change must take place In tho con.
dillon Of the Hawaiian Islands, and every
consideration Of enlightened slateHmanHhIp
must lead the Administration TO endeayor
10 shape their destInIeS In accordance with
the Interests Of the United States.
To do this by means Of commercial 70.
clprooIty was tho policy Of Marcy, Pierce
and Seward, and the policy was earnestly
supported by the late Senators Bucklng.
ham and Charles Sumner, All the dIplo.
matte agents Of our Government who have
resided at the islands, and naval officers
who have been stationed there, have pressed
the importance Of this matter upon our
Government This treaty should be care.
fully considered by the Senate on broad
grounds Of public policy.