The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1893-02-21
OBJECTIONS ANSWERED.
Hawaii's Public Debt and the
Alleged Treaty RIGHTS.

Alleged Treaty Rights.
The Hawaiian Commissioners spent
quiet and restful day yesterday
compared to what they have expert.
enced for the past fortnight.
Before leaving Honolulu they had
four exciting days, followed by q
rough passage across and a day full
of hustle and activity on their arrival
here.
They were seen yesterday after
noon by reporter for the Call, and
all said they were eminently pleased
at the cordial reception rendered
them by the business men of this
city and the warm sympathy shown
in their cause.
"We are particularly pleased" said
L. A. Thurston, with the accurate
and admirable review of the situation
in the Call this morning. We cannot
express too strongly our thanks for
the way in which the press here has
treated us and the cause we repre-
sent. They are entirely with US, and
we will not soon forget the courtesies
extended to US.
"We also feel assured that the bust
ness men of the Coast are with us.
There has been only one dissentient
voice apparently, and, considering
the large connection the gentleman
has had with the islands. it has com
siderably surprised US. It is appar-
ent that he did not take the trouble
to make himself familiar with the
situation before expressing his opin-
ion.
"There are two points in the Calls
dispatch from Washington relating
to what transpired at the executive
session of the Senate yesterday
which would like to touch upon.
Objection was made to annexa-
ton on the ground that our debt
amounted to 100000.
In round numbers that is about
the extent of our debt, but to cover
that we have crown lands worth at
the lowest possible estimate S6,000,-
600 to 100000, exclusive of the in
come derived from taxation.
"The crown lands draw a revenue
of 100000 per year.
1.-The public lands were in two por-
tions, the first directly under the
control of the Government and sub
iect to sale or lease, The other was
set apart and made non-alienable,
being the perquisite of the reigning
sovereign.
"The latter portion was the crown
lands and consists of about one-third
Of the entire country, containing the
richest districts and many of the
plantations and leased properties.
''One of the first acts of the Pro-
Government was to turn
over the whole of the crown lands to
be used as Government lands, the
same as the first portion l have re-
;erred to.
1T will be, therefore, apparent
hat there is ample security for our
lebt and there can be no possible OBJ
ection to annexation on that ground.
THE other point is in reference to
he alleged treaty between England,
Germany and the United States.
There never was such a treaty.
''In 1S43 England and France en-
cred into a treaty between them
elves, to which Hawaii was not
,arty, by which it was mutually
greed not to interfere with Hawaii.
They asked the United States to join
hem in the treaty, but were met with |
refusal.
"In a number of instances subse-
.uent both England and France have |
the United States to act in |
oncert with them, but the United
itates invariably refused, holding
loot and being prepared to take
lhateyer action was necessary in the
interests of her citizens residing on
be islands.
1.-THE treaty, therefore, is one which
revents either England or France
Interfering in Hawaiian affairs with
ut committing breach of the treaty
{ 1913, but it does not prevent the
'nited States taking whatever action
ne chooses.
France has not interfered with us,
lie Consul General, before we left,
aving formally recognized the Pro
sional Government.
with regard to Germany I may
ate the Consul General at Homo
In stated that his specific instruc-
ons were that Germany would take
} interest in the political future of
70 islands, but solely in commercial
terests, and he was always to act in
at capacity."-[ S. F. Call.