The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-03-21
POLITICS OF HAWAII.
Conservative Victory Is Good
for the Islands.
THEIR COMMERCE WITH AMERICA
New Reciprocity Treaties May BE
Formed-stories of Tilton Sheets
The Hotel Lobbies-

Mr.. and Mrs. r. 3. Brennan, OF Homo
lulu. are at the Occidental hotel. Mr..
Brennan, who is 8 son OF the late I. }.
Brennan. of San Francisco, one OF the
pioneer steamboat men OF the racine
coast. has come to Seattle to i've MS
first visit to the islands was made n ISL,
and he has been there number OF times
since for visits of some months, ana
short time ago he spent year there
Within a week he arrived at Victoria from
Hawaii by the Zambesi. III speaking OF
the recent election on the inslands be said
last night: 1.-The result was decided VIC
tory for the Conservative party, which was
already in power; and il has gwen the
islands the best legislature that
they have had during the history
of the kingdom. This Conservative party
represents the best elements in Hawai-;
the Opposition is made up Of the disap-
pointed office-seekers who get their sup
port by playing upon the prejudlces OF the
worst and most ignorant class OF the M
tives. You see there exists among some
of the kanakas a strong dislike o; the
Europeans and Americans, and the cry IS,
Away with the foreigners Yet the for
elgners have treated the natives very faIr-
ly. 4 Kanaka may be educated. ye. he is
not really fitted TO occupy an Office or po-
siticn OF trust. because he lacks the sense
Of responsibility. So, by the natural
course OF events. the responsible positions
go into the hands Of the whites. The na-
tive is envious, and hates the man who IS
superior. By appealing to this hatred the
Opposition leaders have gained their
strength. In this country the Opposition
party is sometimes credited with being IN
favor of annexation to the United States,
but the leaders will ayoT no such senti-
ments in Hawaii.
II have seen some absurd reports circu-
lated in this country TO the effect that the
feeling over the election was bitter and
bloodshed was likely. Such was not, and
is NOT. the case The election was ex-
citing, but there was no disorder. The
outcome will, believe, be in every way
beneficial TO the islands.
The winter has been an extremely
favorable one in every way. The rainfall
has been large, and there is prospect OF
unusually heavy crops. The sugar out
put viii De 10 per cent. greater than that
Of last year.
The Islands are just now in need of all
the help they can receive in this way, for
sugar market has been most unfavorabIe
so far as Hawaii is concerned. The islands
are not being deserted, as some say,
though numbers of people are leaving on
account OF the depression there
The Mckinley bill has treated the
island sugar planters with what amounts
TO injustice. Owing 10 the fact that 50
per cent. of the capital engaged in the
islands was American, that 80 per cent. of
the trade was with America and carried IN
American vessels. this government decided
that for commercial purposes Hawaii and
the United States were much the same;
and so in 1876 treaty CT reciprocity was
formed to last seven years. That treaty,
under which the bulk of American exports
went into the islands free OF duty. and the
island sugar came into America free, was
renewed from time 10 time. Relying upon
the good faith of this government, some
Hawaiian capitalists about three yea
ago, started in 10 develop three huge nlan-
tations. In order to carry out this enter
prise they mortgagei themselves for about
100000. Well, 1t takes time 10 get
sugar plantation under way. and they had
part OF their buildings up and part
Of the cane planted, when the
Mckinley bill went into effect admitting
sugar from every country duty free into
America. and giving bounty of cents a
pound on that made here. The effect has
been 10 make the islands sugar worth
cents less q pound, or $40 q ton. The
planters there protested that since their
ports were closed against the products OF
every country but America by an adj
valorem duty Of 10 per cent. the sugar Of
the islands should also receive the bounty
in order TO carry ont the spirit Of the
reciprocity treaty. This plea was not
needed. and the sugar stocks have become
greatly deprecated. Some Of the planta-
tons will pay very small dividends, while
others will lose.
The Hawaiians feel that San Francisco
has treated them with GOODNESS. II not
with actual injustice. The tact Is that the
trade with Hawaii is the most valuable
foreign trade which San Francisco posses
ses, being larger than tina. with either
China. Japan or Mexico. Accordingly
Hawaii feels that she IS emitted 10 some
consideration from san Francisco. Yet
some time ago the Hawaiians
prepared petition 10 the president Of the
/ [ aited States for a new treaty admitting
their canned fruits 10 This country duty
free. At present there IS a ta-i-f which
prevents importation, but. were the duty
removed, Hawaii might hep herself some
/ what by exporting canned fruits Some
| Honolulu merchants tried 70 gel san Fran
cisco people 10 back this petition. bur san
Francisco treated It with the utmost in
difference. and no attention was paid 10
the matter at Washington City.
san Francisco may lose that trade, for
the Canadian Pacific is reaching out for il.
The distance from Honolulu 10 san Fran
cisco IS ,, 100 miles and TO Puget sound
2,SiQ-a difference which Is Of nc great I'M
poctance commercially.
Hawaii is free TO form new reciprocity
treaty with any other country. and this
new legislature may take steps toward that
end. Certainly the matter Will be very
seriously considered
IN THE okANoGAS COUNTRY.
Land of Rich BunchErass and Broad