The herald., 1894-11-04
THROUGH THE SOUTHERN SEAS
Business in . State of Stagnation in the
Hawaiian Islands.

Business In . State of stagnation in the
Hawaiian Islands.
Mr.. Charles Chestnut, one OF the
principals in mercantile house trad
ing in Chicago and San Francisco, is
making temporary soiourn in the city
after an antipodean trip.
Last evening he spoke Interestingly
regarding affairs in the Hawaiian
islands and also in the English colonies.
At both Sydney and Melbourne the ef-
iects of the commercial panic have not
yet passed away. Speculations had
been so rife, and money had been bor-
rowed on such large scale, mainly on
lands that had only speculative value,
that the country was in no fit state to
make a stand when the financial strin-
gency, which afflicted all civilized ma
tions more or less, reached Australia.
New Zealand. having mad q small panic
OF its own some years ago, had then
taken warning and set its house in Or
der, and in couseQ uence today it is by
far the most prosperous of the colonies.
The steamers for Auckland are filled
with passengers from Victoria and New
South Wales, and boom is almost upon
the southernmost of the colonies.
''As for the Hawaiian islands," re-
marked Mr.. Chestnut, II hardly know
what to say. l went there merely as
business man, without any particular
bias one way or the other beyond. per-
haps, the natural leaning one might
have towards ones own countrymen.
After surveying the situation, all l can
say is, that the foreign element down
there have made as pretty "kettle of
fish" as any marplot might desire to see.
Business is in a state of stRgnation, dis
content is very general, and the good
Lord knows where and when the end is
to be.
ut appears to me that good deal of
very nonsensical talk has been INDUCED
in regarding the islands, and their prob.
able annexation to this country. To me
the foundation OF the whole trouble was
laid when in 1875 treaty of reciprocity
waB established with Hawaii. Under
ito terms rice and the lower grades of
sugar were admitted duty free into the
United States. The planters sold this
sugar in market, only six days away,
for from $40 to $50 ton over the sugar
treaty went into effect, the output WAS
only $4,000 tons per annum. In 1890
the export had amounted to 130, 900,
having a valuation of about $35, 900 900,
in which American planters and capital.
lists held about 80 per cent interest. OF
course, the planters made fortunes and
were made happy. In 1887 duties on
other Hawaiian products were remitted,
and in appreciation of this, King Kala-
kaua ceded the right to this government
to establish and fortify naval station in
Hawaiian waters.
in 1889 Mr.. Blaine, seeking 70 make
permanent the treaty OF 1876, sought to
modify it in such manner as would make
Hawaii practically, United States terri
tory. He proposed that Pearl Harbor,
the site selected for naval station.
should remain permanently in the pos.
eesson of this country. and that all
trade, save intoxicsnts, should be abso-
lutely free. When the Mckinley bill
went into operation all this promised
prosperity disappeared into thin ali.
That notable bill set aside the treaty OF
1876 by placing Hawaiian sugar on pre-
ciseIy the same footing as sugar from
other countries. Business tagged and
of course the planters and the store
keeping element in Honolulu that are
dependent upon them, sought to recoup
their fortunes by working a scheme for
annexation.
Il don't see." continued Mr.. Chestnut,
THAT the moral question involved in an.
nexing people against their will cuts
much figure down at the islsnds-or up
here either, for that matter" he added
ut 10 financial question pure and eim-
pie. Blaine, when secretary of state,
laid the train and Minister Stevens
showed perfect Willingness to carry out
the design OF his dead friend BY firing it.".
"a good many deliberate lies, iound,
had been told bout Liiuokalani in this
country, and had been widely spread
abroad by the newspapers. | don't
know whether enc was q paragon OF
virtue or not but l do know this that
che had no inclinations to mount the
throne again. So much is generally con-
ceded in Honolulu. She, in common
with most OF the foreign residents, be.
lievss that she would be assassinated
within three days from the time she re-.
sumed sway over her people. The spirt
that animated Booth and Guiteau ia
abroad in Honolulu and the queen isn't
ready to take any such risks. On the
other band the natives. and consider-
able white following insist that che
shall be restored. Down there the mer-
chants realize the difficulties OF the ait
uation. and 90 all is not go pleasant in
governmental circles ae the press dis
patches would have the public in
America believe, trouble may ensue at
almost any time. The missionary fac
tion gained the support of what may pe
termed the mercantile community-
planters and store keepers--in carrying
through the revolution because it prom-
iced them rich return. Now,
however, the road both parties
have been travelling diyergee, and as
neither party can travel alone each is
trying to pull the other in the desired
direction. the government is playing
merely for time. At the expense OF a
heavy drain on the community the
finances Of the little kingdom are being
Strengthened out, and il, as is earnestly
prayed for down there, @ Republican
president should succeed two years
hence at Washington. then the .Ainer-
leo Hawalians feel their troublss will be
ended and each one will get So for every
81 expended now in helping to make
good showing. so that another appeal
can be made and capital made ont of
the appareutlY improved condition of