The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1889-10-05
SATURDAY, OCT. 8, 1889.
The MINISTERIAL STATEMENT.

IU6 MIMIC hHihL SInls"HEis
The statement of the Cabinet re-
garding the draft of a new recipro-
city treaty with the United States is
clear in its information and explicit
in its denial of any attempted be-
trayal of the Kingdoms indepcnd-
ence. 1t is, in short, not materially
inconsistent with the statement pre-
viously made by Minister through
the BULLETIN. There can be no
question, however, from the Minis
try's declarations, that the Hawaiian
Islands would be less independent
under such treaty than they are
now. With respect TO the treaty
making power, for instance, the
Kingdom would be reduced to a par
with self-governing British colonies
in their relations to the mother
country. In other words, we should
have autonomy hut not in0epend-
ence.
1t is not worth while disputing
about terms, however. The ques.
ton for the country is whether the
proposed curtallment of our present
independence would be compensat-
ed for by the accompanying advan-
tages of the treaty. What are those
advantages? Commercial intercourse
with our by far the greatest and
most accessible market would be
greatly enhanced. This may he
modified by considerations of reve-
nue. from the customs and of the
interests of local industries worth
while cherishing. AS to the politi-
cal part of the proposed treaty, il
substitutes an unequivocal guaran.
tee of home rule by one great
Power, and that the nearest to US
in nearly every relation, for the SIM
pie recognition of Hawaiian indie
pendence by Great Britain and
France in treaties, and by the con-
templated protecting Power, the
United States, in her precedent and
policy. Two great Powers with I'M
doubtedly aggressive tendencies in
the Pacilic-Germany and Russia
are unpledged to the recognition Of
our independence. Either may at
any time, under pressure of their
relations with other Powers, or
otherwise, regard our independence
as but a feather in the way of their
designs while our present position
continues. Under such circum-
stances treaty with the United
States, that included guarantee by
that powerful nation of our self
government, would certainly be an
improvement upon situation of
virtual jeopardy.
The foregoing are all considera-
lions well worthy the serious dis
cussion of our people, and this
brings us to the point raised against
the Ministry of having maintained
secrecy in the matter. 1t is denied
categorically by the Cabinet tina,
the treaty was submitted to the
King for signature. Even If it had
been, however, the measure could
not have been sprung upon til.
country as a fixed fact except By
the forcible dictation of the United
States, which we think need not
have been apprehended. The King
dom is protected in this regard by
The Constitution, which provides
that treaties involving changes in
the tariff require to be ratified by
the Legislature. We have reason
20 believe that the proposed treaty
was suggested from Washington,
with an understanding that the first
apparent move should come from
Hawaii. Perhaps diplomatic pra e,
tice required secrecy up to GER,
tain stage, but, in such a vastly i'm,
portant matter, it would he high
handed procedure To commit Tho
country irrevocabIy to the treaty
without consulting the people. Sucl
an act would be trampling upon Oul
independence when it was still lin full
bloom. 1t is denied by some who
profess to be eognizant of all the
late proceedings that the Ministry
did not venture to this length not,
withstanding their disclaimer, had
we should like since so much has
been divulged that on this point
there should he a further clearing
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