The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1890-04-03
THE RECIPROCITY TREATY
An Interesting Expression of views On
the Subject by Mr.. JAS. b. Castle.

the subject by Mr.. JAS. b. Castle.
Honolulu, March 81, 1890.
10 His Excellency JONATHAN AUSTIN
Minister OF Foreign Affairs, etc.
SIR: Uncertain of my ability to be
present at the discussion proposed on the
lst inst. concerning the treaty with the
United States, l take this method for the
expression of my views on the subject.
10 Introduce and at once bring the dis
cussion to focus, let me say that be-
lleve it to be our duty as we'll as interest
to seek not only commercial but
strong political treaty. The easy pros
perity of the last two years, the undis-
turbed possession of the treaty for four
teen years might easily beget self-con-
hdence and sense of security in all but
the most thoughtful. To the latter, an
examination of the simple facts OF the
situation conclusively show that rude
awakening from this dream of perman-
ence would be no strange thing. Taken
by single years we are apt to lose sight
OF the vast significance of the treaty in
our prosperity and power of progress.
The great depression of sugar prices in
1883 and 1884 will not be soon forgotten.
Deduct from the low average price
reached by sugar in those years, the
average duty, and the result would have
been collapse, SO we'll nigh universal,
that the Cuban failures of those wears
would have been little more than sugges-
tive. Without the treaty it is safe to say
the islands would have remained as in
ert and undeveloped as before. What
was considered as absolutely essential
for our prosperity in 1875 is quite as
essential now, for while we have made
great progress in manufacture, progress
to which European bounties were doubt
less great stimulant, and we have, as it
We're, at arms reach and within sight the
amount of realizable sugar in the cane,
that same bounty system has caused an
expansion of the worlds production that
means a permanent lower average price.
1t is immaterial to the discussion that
but one or two industries are directly
affected by this treaty. The general
prosperity is as vitality affected by an in
jury thereto as if twenty industries were
equally directly affected. We practically
have no industry but sugar. The last
legislature, with the aid of the veto, saw
fit to kill the bill which, at total pos
sible cost OF $35 ,0CO, would probably in
few years, have made coffee leading
item of export; our only product of con-
spicuous superiority which is on Ameri-
cas- free list, and therefore one strong
standby without treaty. What is clearer
than the necessity of the treaty when we
see the failure Of such an effort? To the
versatility of our resources the country is
but just awakening. We are but barely
freed from the incubus of corrupt admin
istration; we have but just encountered
and hardly overcome the obstacle to all
progressed autocratic rule. We have
only just reached the point at which our
| advantages become available. To lose
| the treaty now would be far more than a
| financial calamity. It would destroy the
hopes, never before so we'll grounded, of
progress in the next decade, which
should eclipse the last in quality as well
as quantity. It would cripple the power,
| power derived from treaty benefits, to
diversity our industries, to develop our
immigration policy, to improve the rela-
|
build public works and to educate as We
ought. It would forever settle the
! Chinese question by driving wages be-
low zero and opening wide the doors fol
the Celestial thousands who only, then
can make sugar profitable. 1t would in.
definitely postpone the possibility of the
best results of constitutional govern.
ment by an intelligent people. In brief
our power of accomplishment for the fu
ture is that with which the treaty has
armed us. To some, much of this may
sound stale and hackneyed, but it ap
pears to me that it is needed. Not in
frequently talk of Hawaiian independ
ence sounds as though we were sc
in all senses, but we must never
forget our absolute commercial
dependence Closely intertwined with
that dependence are the chances an(
sources of our political independence. Thu
only independence we desire or need il
the liberty to control our internal affairs
Of any political independence beyont
that let the "Kaimiloa" forever stand al
the symbol. After fourteen years o
of treaty prosperity, having been en-
abled thereby to maintain this great in
dustry in spite of the tremendous depres
sion caused by European bounties
comes our powerful patron with whom
fourteen years ago we made an agree
ment supposedly reciprocal and which
, in benefit to ourselves, has exceeded an.
: to the United States beyond the highes
estimates of our enemies, and is willin.
,, to renew this agreement if we make suc]
concessions as we can without any los
of self respect. Without waiting for an
overtures on the part of the Unite'
t States seeking modification and altera
4 ton of the treaty, it is our bounden dut
! as we'll as interest to show our willing
4 ness to make any concessions possible
p understand that it is proposed to as
e the United States for a treaty iron
\ which every political feature shall b
# eradicated and, out heroding Herod, pre-
s poses to seek from the United States
treaty more consp;cuously one-side
even than that with which a generou
s and powerful friend has helped us here
; tofore. Assuming, even in advance, tn
g possibility of the departure from prec'
e dent on their part to the extent I
D bounty, we bid for even greater depa
a ture seeking for its application to GU
y selves, stranger without the gates, an
i offer not one consideration in return, OF
J. nature which will guarantee our goo
e faith. An individuals word may be {
good as his bond. Between nation
g treaties are the only proof OF intende
- good faith.
We are not about to discuss the ma