The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-06-20
POLITICS In HAWAII.
Islands Desire Free Trade
With America Alone.
Civil War LIKELY - Krsak O1s - Any
ri.e-zapestaace ~ the Gated
ststes Securing The Grssp.


The political situation tn the Hawaiian
islands b frausht with interest to the
United States. as large portion OF their
white population Is OF American birth or
parensxge. much American capital Is
Invested their. and they furnish ready
market for American producta The reia-
tons between America and Hawaii have
been more or less close ever since tho first
American missionaries landed there in
ls0- AT that time they found the nation
clad in its color and coats OF OH. leading an
easy animal existence in straw-thasched
huts. Today they have railroads, steam
ers. cables. foundries. plantations. schools.
churches and colleges. There are forty
millions invested in the cultivation OF
sugar cane alone. This marvellous change
has been largely wrought by American in
iuence and capital.
The reciprocity treaty of June 80. 1875
bronght the tide OF prosperity and stimu-
lated the sugar interests, opening an avail
able market for specified Hawai prod
ucts which by It's terms were 10 enter the
United States duty free, while American
products were in turn freed from duty L.
Was distinctly stated, Article w. of that
treaty, that similar privileges would not BE-
granted 70 any other power.
At its expiration il was continued with
some notifications. until 1894. The treaty
now under discussion and the news con-
corning which was published In the Posr-
lHTELLiGEScER of June IA. IL to replace the
present one on its expiration. What the
islands desire is absolute permanent free
trade with the United States and with them
alone. II must be permanent in order 10
justify capital in developing their - yet
untouched resources. Permanent free
trade would mean that every pound Of SUI
or lime raised there would find ready mar
ket in the Western states. The waste land
would be reclaimed, tho mountain gulches
Tiled with banana groves. land too high
for cane would be covered with extensive
coffee plantations and lime orchards. the
population would Be increased from 5000
TO many times that number. The increase
in population would create more than .
proportionase demand for American pro-
ducts, for the tide OF Chinese emigration
has been stopped and out Of the present
population Of 81. 000 over q. 900 are natives
and Chinese whose demands In that line
are small. What appears . losing game
with but 81. 600 70 supply would b more
than IN even thing with half . million.
Without free trade the population would
remain stationary. and the demand for
American products would decrease -
well q their exports, but with fires trade
the United States would open up . new
and otherwise available market.
The arguments used to obtain the reed
procity we're three In number. viz: First,
aunop uonld b cheepeuo6: soouna. the
United States would make money out Of
IL. third, the United States would gain =
firm hold upon the Islands to the ultimate
exclusion Of other powers. The first did
not work, the second likewise. and the
third has worked, but not TO the extent de-
sired nor expected. These facts wers made
the most Of by those opposed 10 an extern
sion Of the treaty either under IT. present
or broader form. The amount gained BY
the United States has been distributed into
many channels instead of hsing keptin one
a formerly, 60 the loss Is more apparent
than real Sugar Is still - high - the traf-
&c will bear, but the profit accruing from
its refining and handling remains In the
United States.
But there is something besides dollars
and cents to Be taken into consideration in
dealing with Hawaii. Seward prophet
ically remarked. when arguing In favor Of
the purchase Of Alaska: Tho Pacific
ocean, ito shores. its islands, and the vast
regions beyond, will be the chief theatcr Of
coming events in the worlds great here
After"
They cannot under present conditions b
brought into the pale Of the Union 1T one
fell swoop. That would cause trouble. IL
Is matter that requires time and patience.
While there is quite party in favor OF al
most immediate annexation to the United
states. still. unless their Independence was
seriously threatened from within or with
out, IL would be advisable to let events take
their natural course and use every avail
able method to attach them TO. and make
them dependent upon, the United States by
fostering their commerce and aiding them
70 develop the tropical fruitfulncss OF their
soil. Helping the Islands to build them
selves up is . tar different proposition froh
giving the same assistance TO New Zealand
or Australia, tor at some future time the
Hawaiian islands will form . state in our
Union and viii not be the least in the sis
terhood OF states. By helping them We
will simply be helping ourselves This Is
not case for perjury, for the acquisition OF
Hawaii will prove Of more value than ten
times all possible revenue that could be
collected from the trade with them.
There is q strong desire among the
natives 10 be entirely independent They
possess the inherent love OF display, char
acteristic OF undeveloped races. They love
to cut a spiurge. and take no more thought
OF the morrow than so many children.
They are like the small hoy who wanted 10
eat the cusiard pie because I'VE should NOS
nut of until tomorrow what we can do
todav." National credit to them means
plenty Of money to spend. and they spend
II without thought Of how they are going
TO pay ii back or where the next IL coming
from. Jineoism touches them where they
live and for that reason they need 70 be
held in check when IL comes TO government
affairs.
At present there are two parties striving
for power. one The Reform party. which
has been in power upwards OF three years;
the other Is the National Reform party,
and is striving 20 oust the Reform party.
The NationaIists have m excellent platform
in many RESPECTS. platform modelled after
that OF the Reformers- Its sound Is truly
pleasing to the ear. The platforms heing
so similar. in order 20 Judge OF the respec-
i've merits OF the two parties their MEM
bership must be taken into consideration,
for deeds, not words. count.
When demagogues and knavery bad rem
ieged its bonds vaiaeless. bankrupted its
treasury. injured its standing abroad. and
the taropstch-hrcd king was trying 70 run
affairs il, an irresponsible. one-man sort Of
fashion, and all VAS ~ iooss