Saturday press. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1880-1885, 1883-01-27

representation. The interesting fact remains,
however, that for a long time the treaty ques-
tion has been little more than a squabble be-
tween sugar rehners. Those who have profited
most 10y reciprocity, whose chief aim should
have been to prove its mutual benefits and by
judicious course to have secured its renewal,
are likely, by shortsighted policy born of
jealousy and greed, to effect its abrogation.
Yet they, the refners, will, notwithstanding,
suffer less than the planters though they can
better afford TO suffer.
Great is monopoly It can purchase the un-
principled press and trumpet its praises in every
quarter Of the land il can assail with impunty
its victims, and with fictitious evidence do last.
ing injury to the innocent and helpless.
Perhaps we should think with pity rather
than with Indignation, Of the result of late
senatorial contest in which the Finance Com.
mtttce, who seem to favor abrogation, defeated
the Committee on Foreign Affairs by vote of
81 to 20. How is it possible for these gentle.
men who are debating ten thousand different
questions, to sift from the mess of unreliable
and abusive evidence, the whole truth concern.
ing our relations with themp We are feeble
and far removed :. A kingdom whose entire
population will scarcely fill fifth-rate city and
whose ruler grows vain and portentious even in
the midst of an impending crisis, is not likely
to awaken much interest abroad, and certainly
no, in republic like the United States Of
America. When the New York Hf,ali, in its
editorial columns, does not hesitate to pro-
nounce against the "absurdities and extrava-
gance Of this ridiculous king" whose pomp and
fuss make him not ruler but a tiresome and
costly nuisance" we can see one reason why
the kingdom is falling in the estimation Of the
world, and so long as the present state Of affairs
exists It must continue to fall.
We may yet have cause to bitterly regret
that decisive step was not taken long since.
We may endure for time seemingly neces
sary evil, even though at the cost Of self.re.
| spcct, but when the predicament makes us the
laughing stock of the civilized world and threat
ems us with serious losses and possible nation.
al bankruptcy at no distant day, it is time to
| consider well what step must next be taken.
We are just now being looked upon as il we
were lot Of bad boys; our case having been
| taken with consideration we are amiably en-
| couraged and for time all goes well enough I;
but like most boys there is one at least, who
wishes to be Boss, and sooner OF later, by
hook or by crook, he accomplishes his purpose
He has his rivals and there is certain to be dis
| cord and then, while the innocent are going
their ways, suspicious have been aroused by
the guilty and by and by the whole community
is turned adrift, and the experiment is looked
upon as bad job altogether.
Perhaps it is for this reason that Congress
has lost interest in Hawaii, is ready to consider
all scurrious reports concerning her and is
waiting and Withholding verdict which con-
Germs the future prosperity of the King. "The
senator from Vermont (Morrill) proposed to
abrogate the treaty because the production Of
I sugar in Hawaii has increased" If the treaty
is abrogated the production of sugar in Hawaii
may materially diminish. What would the
senator from Vermont propose in such case2
as, if it does not diminish, the small plantations
will probably be absorbed by the very specula-
tors who are now causing so much scandal.
We are in the tropics but the freezeo out game
can be played here and with peculiar advan-
tages.
at is reported" says the N. Y. Hoyli, Gin
diplomatic circles that should the treaty be alb
rogated by the United States, the Hawaiian
government will at once accept the terms of
reciprocity offered by England and Japan, be-
cause it is impossible for the kingdom to stand
alone without the support of some powerful
nation.' A.station between British Columbia
and the colonies would no doubt prove con-
venient, but when it comes to question of
necessary and inevitable dependence, those who
have been the making Of the kingdom, and
to whose enterprise it owes the present pros
perity and on whose wealth, energy and tact
its future salvation largely depends
these should have voice in the question and
the antics Of His Majesty ought not to weigh
one jot or title against them, neither should the
spats Of the reiners do them i'll.
Advices from Washington show that action
upon the treaty has been deferred until this
government shall have had opportunity to op.
point successor to the late f. II. Allen. The
unfavorable turn which seems to threaten our
interests calls for wise councils and sound judg.
ment to guide in the selection Of the person to
fill this important and responsible position,
and it is one in which party spirit and political
strife should be sunk entirely in securing the
most experienced and best qualified man we
can command. The subject is one of much