Daily Honolulu press., 1886-03-18
FOREIGN NEWS.
THE HAWAIIAN TREATY.
Arguments For and Against It's
Abrogatiou.

WASHINGTON, February 27.-Con-
gresham Mills of Texas was the only
one of the sub committee that has
charge of the resolution to abrogate
the Hawaiian Reciprocity Treaty who
heard the statements to-day for and
against reciprocity. Hiscock Of New
York and Maybury of Michigan who
are on the subcommittee, were in their
respective States, but Mills was deter
mined to push the matter to speedy
conclusion, and proceeded with the
hearing. All the arguments are to be
printed, SO that nothing would be
gained or lost by the absence of the
two members. Those who attended
the hearing were H. A. P. Carter, the
Hawaiian Minister; ex-senator Bout
well, the attorney for Kalakaua's Gov
eminent; Congressman Morrow, FELTON,
and McKenna, ]. E., Searles Jr., and
Celso Caesar Moreno, who was once
Minister of Foreign Affairs for the
Hawaiian Government
Moreno, who speaks English indif-
ferently, made long statement about
the political condition of the islands.
He said that the country was fast pass
ing into the control of the Germans
who had emgrated there. He in
formed the Commission that the King
had told him that Claus Spreckels wss
paving the way for Germany to seize
the islands He also said that Spreck-
els was virtually ruler of the kingdom.
He pointed out that under the treaty
the native Hawaiians had lost the oc-
cupancy of the land to large extent,
and that it has passed to the foreigners
who were attracted there by the large
profits that could be amassed by the
cultivation Of sugar.
After Moreno finished Mills asked
the Hawaiian Minister and ex-senator
Boutwell, if they had any statement to
make. Boutwell, and Carter asked for
a postponement to enable them to col
lect figures to set against those sub
mitted by Searles. Mills refused to
grant postponement, and as neither
Carter nor Boutwell, had anything to
say at that time Mills began to cross
examine them. He asked Carter what
benefit the Reciprocity Treaty had
been to this country. He said that he
did not care what advantage it had
been to the islands, as Congress was
legislating solely for the benefit Of this
country Carter replied that it aided
American shipping greatly; that one
fourth of all the ships that entered San
Francisco harbor were from the Sand
wich Islands. Carter denied that the
native Hawaiians had disposed of the
land.
Mills asked if there had not been a
large immigration of Chinese into the
islands. Carter replied that the En-
peror of China has issued an edict pro-
hibiting the immigration of his subjects
to the islands and that the laws of the
Hawaiian kingdom prevented the land
ing Of more than twenty-five Cinnamon
from any one ship, but he admitted
that in the past the coolies had gone to
the islands in great numbers.
"What influence has Claus Spreckels
in the Hawaiian Government" ?" asked
Mills.
"None whatever" replied Carter.
"Was he not knighted by the King7"
inquired Mills.
"No, he was only presented with the
Order of Kalakaua. He has not been
knighted," replied Carter.
Mills then inquired about American
influence in the islands, and was in
formed by the Hawaiian Minister that
it was very strong and increasing. Mills
asked for statistics on many points, but
neither Boutwell, nor Carter could
furnish them, and the further hearing
was deferred till next Tuesday.