The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1886-05-06
IT III e
THURSDAY
PEARL RIVER HARBOR.

In the Legislative Assembly yesterday
Mr.. Lilikalani called attention to certain
newspaper rumors, to the effect that the
Reciprocity Treaty with the United |
States would be abrogated by the latter !
power, which would then make new |
treaty and take possession of Pearl River
Harbor. He moved that the Minister OF
Foreign Affairs be requested to furnish
the Legislature with such information as
he might possess on the subject. This
action was exceedingly proper. Ii 1t
were true, as had been stated, that the
permanent occupation of an important
port within Hawaiian territory were con-
templated by the United States Govern
ment, the representatives OF the Ha-
waiian nation, in Parliament assembled,
should know it without loss of time. 1t
was their right, and it was also the duty
of Ministers to hold nothing in reserve
that could throw any light whatever
upon the question.
The reply of His Excellency Mr.. Glib
son left nothing to be desired in the way
of explicitness of statement. The Gov
eminent had received no information
whatever upon the subject of the ques-
ton asked. The Hawaiian Minister at
Washington had not reported that the
United States Government desired to
make new treaty with this country,
neither had he conveyed any intimation
regarding a proposition for the cession OF
Pearl River Harbor to the United States.
Therefore the Government had no in
formation to convey to the Legislature.
This statement however, did not sat
isfy Mr. Kalua, a representative from
Lahaina, who has assumed the position
of leader of the Opposition. Might the
lack of information from Washington
not be owing to the fact, as alleged in the
newspapers, that the request for a new
treaty, containing stipulations for the
cession of Pearl Harbor, had come from
this country Had the Government
asked the United States for such a
treaty
Mr.. Kalua put the point straight, and
he received as pointed and straight a
reply from His Excellency the Minister
of Foreign Affairs. No such idea or
suggestion had originated with this Gov
eminent; and furthermore, had such a
project been seriously contemplated, the
present Ministry would not now be in
Office. The Hawaiian Government had
promoted a Convention with the United
States providing for continuance of the
present treaty for seven years, without
change or stipulation of any kind. That
Convention had been signed by His
Maiestv's representative at Washington
and by the Secretary OF State, and II
now awaited action by the United
States Senate. This was all the Hawaiian
Government knew of the treaty project.
The Legislature was apparently satisfied
with the statement of the Minister o.
Foreign Affairs, and the country GER
tainly should be so also.
And this brings us to another poln
in this question upon which we have
word to say. Although the Kings En-
WOW at Washington has had nothing t.
communicate direct to the Government
from which he is accredited, it seems a
If some one very close to His Excellencl
had communicated points within TIT
diplomatic circle of special intelligence
to the Gazette" the weekly Opposl
ton organ, which boldly advocates th'
cession OF Pearl Harbor, and indee'
designates a Minister to succ eed Mr.
Gibson, who may be relied upon to carr.
out the annexation scheme agreed upon
We are told "from an assured source il
Washington" by the Governments o
Germany and the United States. Now
we believe it is at once an insult to, AM
and libel upon, the gentleman nameC
by the Gazette" to identify him witt
the Benedict Arnolds OF Hawaiian
politics. His conduct heretofore Ger
fainlv would not lead one to associate
him with conspirators and traitors, an
therefore we assume that it was an un
authorized and impertiuent liberty
take with the name of an ex-Minister {
the Crown, for which an apology Wi
doubtless be forthcoming in due time
Minister Carter, however, made publ
speech in this city in favor OF cedln