Saturday press. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1880-1885, 1882-12-23
TREATY PROSPECTS.

We consider the latest advices from the
| United States highly favorable to the contin.
| uance of the present reciprocal relations exist.
| ing between the two nations, and although the
treaty conditions may be slightly modified, it i,
very evident that the principal features will re.
main intact, and that little Hawaii will still
continue TO be the highly favored protege o
the Great Republic. President Arthur, in his
message, admits the importance, and infers the
necessity of continued reciprocity, if American
influence here is to maintain that prominence
to which it is Justly entitled. We derive strong
encouragement from the fact that the question
has been given such prominence so early in the
Congressional session, and we feel assured that
the discussion and production of comprehensive
evidence consequent upon thorough under
standing ofthe subject illresult iavorably othc
interests and future prospects of Hawaii.
There are various theories as to what modi
fcations the United States will require. 1t i.
stated by some that a treaty of complete com
mercial reciprocity is proposed Removing
the import duty upon all American products
and manufactures, it is claimed, would make
reciprocal benefits more even. 1t is also ru
| mored that the re.impostion -of duty upon rice
| imported from Hawaii is one of the modifying
conditions named by the United States. But
| whatever the notifications may be, it is quite
evident that the United States are committed
to the policy of maintaining and extending
| American influence in Hawaii, and that reel
procity is to be the principal agent employed
The treaty will be continued for the same
reason that it was originally signed, and for nc
| other. And just so long as commercial reci
procity with Hawaii is given so prominent a
place in the foreign policy of the United States,
just so long it will continue, the New York
sugar refners and the San Francisco Ch,omnt
to the contrary Notwithstanding
Therefore we have good reason to congratu.
| late ourselves upon the outlook, but it be.
| hooves us 10 watch carefully the management
of our side of the question. Other foreign
governments may be disposed to intrigue
against more complete reciprocity with the
United States, and our own ministers may not
be immaculate. Duty on rice would, no doubt,
raise some serious questions, though it is pretty
generally conceded that our Chinese residents
can afford to pay duty upon the rice grown by
them and still realize fair profit. They are
the people principally engaged in rice-growing,
| and it is not probable the imposition of duty
upon this product would drive any considerable
number OF them out of the business. Argu-
ments pro and can as to the mutual benefits OF
reciprocity have been pretty thoroughly ex.
hausted, and yet new ideas in connection there
with are being continually advanced. If, as
has been suggested among the proposed tariff
changes in the United States, the duty on sugar
be decreased, and bonus be given the South
ern sugar planters in lieu of the protection af-
forded by the duty now imposed, it would pre-
sent another view of the case for our consider
alton. 1t is evident that it is the intention Of
the United States Congress to modify the pro.
visions OF the treaty in some respect, and that
quite early in the session. The chances Of its
renewal in some form are very good, as the ex.
pressions OF members of Congress and the
press of the United States are in its favor. II
IS to be hoped that our Ministers and King will
consider well the interests at issue and make
no mistake.