The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1895-10-01
THREATEN THE TREATY.
Drastic MEASURES rnorosED ~
rBI viric,iTtHAiIsts.
charge THAT Hawaii DIscfiminstes
Against California faik on PRO
bibitIon.


Between the two extremes Of saki
drinking and the total abstinence senti.
ment, the trade In sweet wines which
California had commenced TO build up
with the Hawaiian islands is In danger
Of humiliation. The firsi-named en-
envy has already caused serious dim.
mutton in our exports and the second
threatens to destroy II entirely. Cali
fornia will have to defend herself or
suffer the consequences. This she can
do through the National Government.
The reciprocity treaty between this
country and Hawaii has already attain
ed it's limitations, and either party to
the arrangement can abrOgate 1t by
simply giving years notice TO that
effect.
Under the treaty Sandwich Islands
sugars are admitted to the United
States free of duty, while the American
wines and spirits are taxed 10 cents, 81
and 81. 80 a gallon according to alcoholic
strength, before they can be placed on
the Haw allan market. This is a dis
elimination against our products Of
which California wine-makers com
plain, and il they have 1.-THE of the
influence at Washington possessed by
the planters at Honolulu, they will
cause our Government to notify that of
the islan1 republic that IL il desires
sugar to be admitted to the United
States free Of duty il must accord the
same privilege to California wines.
Such course would afford them suf-
ficient protection against Japanese saki
to Withstand its inroads. AS 10 the total
abstinence proposition before the Ha.
waiian Legislature, the sugar-planters
who dominate it could easily be made
to understand that its adoption would
also endanger the continuance of
treaty only reciprocal in name.
The California wine interest has al
ready taken up the matter at Honolulu,
but advices received from the Hawaiian
capital are to the effect that to be sue
cessful they must also direct their efforts
to Washington, as there is the key to the
situation. AS has been stated, Califor-
mia had commenced to build up trade
with Hawaii in sweet wines when suki
appeared upon the scene. That was
only year ago last spring, but it has
worked havoc in that brief period. Not
only has the hope Of increasing the bush
ness been destroyed, but our exports on
has diminished fully one.third, and its
complete cessation in a few years is easy
10 foresee il a remedy be not applied.
Saki is a production OF fermented
rice, containing poisonous compounds,
and is known to be deleterious to
health and demoralizing in it's effects.
It is manufactured very cheaply III
Japan and imported into the Sandwich
Islands, where it pays the same duties
as Wines though several attempts have
been made to have custom charges n
the liquor the same as those on high
spirits. The first cost being much less
and the duty the same, Saki has been
able from Its cheapness to supersede
the use of our wines, not only among
the Japanese and the Kanakas, but
also among the large Portuguese popu-
lation which had begun TO be our best
customers. The situation assumed such
grave aspect that, some time ago, the
Board of State Viticultural Commits
sioners adopted a memorial to the Ha-
waiian Legislature asking that an in
creased duty should be placed on the
Japanese drink or any other wine not
made from grapes, or that American
wines should be placed on the free list.
1t was at first the intention not to
hand in this petition until the regular
session of the Legislature next Febru-
AIRY, but last month, in view of the pas
sage by the Senate at the special ses-
sion of a resolution calling for the APP
pointment of commission for the
abatement of the liquor traffic, it was
decided to send it in at once. The tone
of the report of the Committee on Com
merce, Agriculture and Manufacture
was favorable to the memorial, but
owing to lack of time the subject was
referred to the Commission on the
Liquor Traffic, to report in February
next.
Private advices from Honolulu say
that at that time great effort will be
made to carry prohibition, and unless
active opposition is aroused there will
be an even chance of the enactment of
such legislation. The ravages of saki
have had much to do with the growth
of the temperance agitation, and thus
the Japanese liquer is working double
injury to California wines.
The sugar representatives in the
Legislature and in the Cabinet have
been informed that, considering the
great benefits which the islands enjoy
from the reciprocity treaty, the contin-
uance Of which is largely dependent on
the favorable sentiment of the people of
the Pacific Coast, the Hawaiian Govern
ment should place American wines on
the free list in common with other of
our products. While hopes have been
held out that this may be done, our
wine men do not propose to rest salts
fled with promises that may prove fall
lacious. They will place themselves in
communication with the California
Senators and Representatives, and de-
mand through them that our Govern
ment shall come to the aid of the CAL
ifornia wine-raisers, going to the length,
even, il necessary, Of notifying the Ha.
waiian authorities of the abrogation of
the reciprocity treaty.