The Hawaiian gazette., 1888-01-03

The year 1887 was not uneventful
at home or abroad. Even a mere
sketch of Hawaiian history for the
twelve months, with necessary ex-
plantations dating back for few
years, would take more space than
the regulation newspaper article.
Opening in the midst of a heyday of
extravaganza and disagreement,
the elimination of a protracted
regime of rottenness, the year
soon brought forth the Samoan
mission monstrosity, in which the
germ of sound craftsmanship APP
provable by the world was buried
deep under a rolling avalanche of
outrageous scandal. This episode
proved the last intoleraale item in a
record of national disgrace, and the
chief tributaries to the revenues arose
and smashed the maladministration
together with the system that had
given scope for its development. Under
new fundamental law gained
by revolutionary methods to which
no resistance was offered, this
Kingdom obtained thoroughly indie
pendent Legislature, the extra session
of which, convened to adapt affairs to
the new order, had just risen as the
year went out An attempt to en-
graft the old methods of irresponsi
bic government on the new stock,
made during this session, met with
what may be deemed decisive de
feat. The new year begins with
reconstructed Reform Ministry
stronger than the original one, and it
appears safe to congratulate the
nation ON the prospect of an admins
tration i'll the interest of the people,
without serious obstruction, until the
year 1890.
Queen Kapiolani's visit to the
United States and to Queen Victoria's
jubilee celebration in London-al-
though, through the apprehension of
the heavy bills coming upon an I'M
poverished treasury, not very favor
ably viewed at home-was attended
by many pleasant manifestations of
friendship toward this country by
the rulers and people Of Amer
lea and Great Britain. Her Maj
esty returned home improved in
health and doubtless in understand
ing, and it is pleasing to note that her
popularity is in nowise diminished.
The definite extension of the Reel
procity Treaty with the United States
for seven years. together with the
reformed administration. has stimu-
lated commercial hope, expectation
and enterprise favorably in an I'M
doubted degree.
Neighboring groups in the Pacific
have had sad trouble Samoans have
been mortified by the violent deposi-
ton of their rightful King, Malietoa,
and the installation of the pretender.
Tamasese, without appearance of
justice, by the German fleet. Ter
rible encounters have taken place
between the Spaniards and their
newly acquired subjects in the Caro-
line Islands, and news of more blood
shed is anticipated in the next com
munications.
In Australasia there have been in
teresting if not startling develop
ments. The conference of Colonial
Agents-General in London has re-
suited in at least two important
eventualities. The Imperial Gov
eminent has been moved to make
such representations to the Govern
ment of France as have induced the
latter to recede from the position
they had been stubbornly maintain
ing in the New Hebrides. Imperial
assistance has been procured for a
large increase in the maritime de-
lenses of the Colonies, where in fu-
t11rn . rnrr crndifahla narr Il 70 10