The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1896-12-17

Grated into d strife which means moth
ing more than the useless sacrifice of
human life and the utter destruction
of the very subject matter of the con-
hict, a situation will be presented in
which our obligations TO the sovereign
/ " of Spain will be superseded by high
| er obligations which we can hardly
| hesitate to recognize and discharge.
Deferring the choice of ways and meth
DDS until the time for action arrives,
we should make them depend upon the
precise conditions then existing, and
| they should not be determined upon
without giving careful heed to every
consideration involving our honor and
| interest or the international duty we
owe to Spain. When we face the con-
| tingencies suggested or the situation
| is by other incidents imperatively
changed, we should continue in the
| line of conduct heretofore pursued,
thus in all circumstances exhibiting
our obedience to the requirements of
public law and our regard for the duty
| enjOined upon us by the position we
occupy in the family of the nations.
"A contemplation of emergencies
| that may arise should plainly lead US
| TO avoid their creation either through
a careless disregard of present duty or
even an undue stimulation and i'll
timed expression of feeling. But | have
deemed it not remiss to remind the
| Congress that a time may arrive when
a correct policy and care for our in
terests, as we'll as a regard for the
| interests of other nations and their cit
| liens, Joined by considerations of hui
manity, and a desire to see rich and
fertile country, intimately related to
us. saved from complete devastation,
will constrain our Government to such
action as will subserve the interests
thus involved and at the same time
promise to Cuba and its inhabitants an
opportunity to enjoy the blessings of
peace.
THE Venezuela boundary question
mas ceased to be a matter of differ
ence between Great Britain and the
United States
The reform in the consular service
is pronounced a success.
The increase in immigration over last
year amounted to S4,131.
There arrived from Japan during
the year only ITO immigrants, and it
is the opinion of the immigration au-
thorities that the apprehension here
tOfore existing to some extent of a
large immigration from Japan to the
United States is without any substan-
tial foundation"
Progress is reported in the prOtec-
zion and armament of Notifications
along the sea coast.
I'VE should always keep in mind that
of all forms of military preparation
coast defense alone is essentially pa
cific in it's nature. While it gives the
sense of security due to a conscious
ness of strength it is neither the pur
pose nor the effect of such permanent
fOrtificatiOn to involve us in foreign
complications, but rather to guarantee
us against them. They are not temp
tatiOn 10 war, but rather security
against it, Thus they are thoroughly
in accord with all the traditions of our
national diplomacy"
Reforms in the postal service are
suggested; attention called to guard
ing against too generous gifts of pub
lie lands: pension rolls have been di-
minished; civil service reform has
made progress; Interstate Commerce
Commission has done good work,
while its wholesome effects are mani
fest and have amply justified it's en-
actment, it is evident that all desired
reforms and transportation methods
have not been fully accomplished.
TARIFF.
L desire to recur to the statements
elsewhere made concerning the Gov
ernment's receipts and expenditures
for the purpose of venturing upon some
suggestions touching our present tariff
law and it's operations. This statute
took effect on the 2Sth day of August.
1894. Whatever may be its shOrtcOm-
ings as a complete measure of tariff
reform, it must be conceded that it has
opened the way to freer and greater
exchange of commodities between US
and other countries, and thus furnished
wider market for our products and
manufacturing. The only entire fiscal
year during which this law has been in
force ended on the Both day Of June,
1896. In that year our imports in
creased over those of the previous
year more than $6,5O0.000, while the
value of the domestic products we eX-
ported and which found markets abroad
was nearly $4,000, 900 more than dur
ing the preceding year
FINANCIAL REFORM.
This reference to the condition and
prospects of our revenues naturally
suggests an allusiOn to the weakness
and vices of our financial methods.
They have been frequently pressed up
on the attention of Congress in pre-
vious executive communications and
the inevitable danger Of their contin-
ued federation pointed out. Without
now repeating these evils, l cannot re
frain from again earnestly presenting
the necessity of the prompt reform OF
"a system opposed TO every rule or
sound finance and shown by experience
TO be fraught with the grayest peril
and perplexity. The terrible Civil War
brought in its train the destruction of
property. the wasting of our cOuntry's
substance and the estrangement OF
brethren. These are now past and for
gotten. Even the distressing loss OF
life the conflict entailed is but sacred
CONTINUED on Seventh Page)