Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-01-29
HIW4II4N ISLAND RECIPROCITY
TREATY.

morning very able and discriminating
article on the Hawaiian Islands, and tn
relation of their government to the United
States. The article is from the pen of TIN
Hon. R. P. Spalding, of Cleveland, Ohio
one of the most eminent citizen of tina
State. Judge Spalding is gentleman o
profound scholarly attainments,and an en-
| lightened and sagacious statesman, in the
best sense of that term. He greatly dis
tinguished himself as Chief Justice of the
State of Ohio, which Office he
held for many years. Dur
| ing President Lincolns administration he
represented the Cleveland district in the
lower house of congress, where he gained
national distinction and took high rank
among the ablest members of that body.
Judge Spalding is not only an accom-
plished statesman, but is a true
patriot, sensitively alive to every
interest pertaining to the welfare and pros
perity of his country. The discussion OF
any question by such man is entitled to
the most respectful attention. The
lucid exposition which he gives
of the Hawaiian (Sandwich) Islands
and the Importance of the existing rela-
tions between the United States and those
islands, can but impress favorably every
Intelligent mind. His discussion of the
matter, though succinct, is still exhaust
i've, and shows how truly it is for the in
terest of the United States to retain pa
fo1.r ol ~
least, in relation to the unique
little government of the islands.
Judge Spalding has personal knowledge
OF the Islands, having visited them twice,
and having spent one entire winter there.
His "bird's-eye" view of the islands is ex-
tremely interesting, and historically valua-
BILE and instructive.
His presentation of the Ease can but
magnify in the eyes of all unselfsh, can
did and disinterested persons, the import
ance of maintaining and perpetuating the
existing Reciprocity Treaty" with those
islands, which is really and practically
equivalent to their annexation land
better than that) to the United
States, and gives to the latter beneficial
protectorate over the islands, as far as
other foreign powers are concerned, with
out unduly touching upon the individuality
and independence of the islands govern
ment.
The reason for Judge Spalding's putting
forth, at this time his able and powerful
argument in behalf of continuing this
reciprocity treaty is, tina" individual selfish
ness and greed are calling loudly for its
abrogation by congress"
The abrogation of the treaty would at
once leave England, true to her his
toric traditions, to clutch at these
islands and hold them as British colonial
dependencies, and nothing but force, in
volving an armed conflict with the United
States, would prevent such British pos
session of the islands, and Judge Spalding
does not ''believe the people of the United
States will permit England, or any
other European power to assert suprem-
acy over these islands, though it may cost
''BILLIoNs," instead of millions OF MONEY
to maintain their independence"
The free list, enumerated in the articles
of the treaty, are of vast Importance,
all can see, to the reciprocal
interests of the two governments. The op-
position to the continuance of this treaty
comes mainly from the sugar producing
interest of Louisiana. Judge Spalding
shows clearly and decisiyely that the sugar
producing interest of Louisiana
cannot receive the least detriment
by the admission, free of duty, of sugar
produced in the Hawiian Islands. His rea-
sons are as follows:
''The annual consumption of
sugar in the United States
Is. .................. 1,OU3,7I2 tons
OF which Louisiana produces 1864 tons
The Hawaiian Islands pro-
duce ............ 3S,454 tons
Leaving still the enormous quantity OF
eight hundred and twenty eight thousand
eight hundred and twenty-seven
tons imported every year from
Cuba, Porte Rico, the French West Indies
Brazil, the Spanish Possessions, and the
Dutch East Indies, and for which we pay
in gold, no less than $78,257, 500. The
1uICI1cCG Will uOG Idll GO S00 IndI
| the modicum, introduced from the Hawa-
iian Islands, can have no influence on the
price of sugar in the United States. II
may serve to displace an equal amount
| that would otherwise be brought
in from the East Indies, aud, to that ex
tent, would, doubtless, keep from the Ma
| tional Treasury from one to two million
| dollars. But what is that compared to the
benefits accruing to our citizens from hav.
| ing sure market for from three to five
millions of dollars worth of their OWL
manufactures, every year free from every
kind of tariff, and the great national bene
fit of quietly and peaceably controlling
the GATEWAY of the North Pacific ocean,
The argument of Judge Spalding is
none too long for a careful perusal. 1t is
80 compact that an attempt to condense il
would but weaken its force, ard it is there.
fore, presented entire, and earnestly com
mended to the careful perusal of every in.
telligent reader. and especially to the bus
mess and commercial class of our popula-
| ton.
Judge Spalding concludes his timely
presentation of the subject in the follow
ing terse and significant language: "The
sugar interest is the arterial blood of the
Hawaiian people. They cannot now sub
sist without it, and it can not be maintained
without free market like San Francisco