The sun., 1897-06-13
The Hawaiian Treaty Ought to Stand.

Vhe HAWAIIAN treaty ought co StanO.
It would be interesting to learn what in
duences are behind the extraordinary at
tempt to abrogate the reciprocity treaty
between the United States and the Ha-
waiian Islands, not In the way provided
by the convention itself, but BY means
of clause inserted In tho Tariff
bill now pending in the Senate. Arc
the opponents Of the treaty afraid to
discuss 1t on its merits, that, instead Of
proposing to modify its terms, or to give
notice of an intention to terminate it
twelve months hence, they seek to kill 1t
clandestinely by side stroke in revenue
measure, which. obviously, should not be
complicated by the injection Of far-reaching
questions Of foreign policyf
There 10 no reason to doubt that the
Honolulu Government would consent to q
modification Of the reciprocity treaty,
should o suggestion to that end be made by
our State Department. Unless, however,
we purpose. when dealing with feeble.
power. to set at naught tho law of
nations, we cannot abrogate the treaty
altogether. except In strict pursuance of the
method which 1t prescribes. Our agree
ment with Hawaii was to remain in force
for seven years, and further, until the ex.
piration Of twelve montha after either of
the contracting parties shall give notice to
the other of its wish to terminate the same"
Nosuch notice has been given. If, then, while
refraining from giving the stipulated
notice, we undertake practically to render
our agreement nugatory by imposing on the
Hawaiian cane product the duties levied
0fhar forafon ahalI ha
guilty of q deliberate violation of o treaty,
of q fragrant breach of an international OBJ
legation.
So much for the proposed indirect annul-
ment Of the treaty. We are also prepared
to argue on Its merits the question whether
we should proceed In a straightforward and
lawful way to abrogate our reciprocity
agreement by giving the Hawaiian Govern.
ment twelve months notice Of our intention
todoso. The United States and their citizens
would suffer some serious disadvantages
from an annulment Of the treaty. In the
first place, Hawaii would levy duty on
all United States products, products which
at present are free. Secondly, Hawai-
would be impelled by her own interests
to enter into reciprocal commercial rela
tions with other countries which are com
mercial rivals of the United States ant
which are eager to divert from US the profitl
arising from the Hawaiian trade. 1t Il
known, for instance, that the Dominion O
Canada and the Canadian Pacific Railwa,
stand ready to seize the opportunity whicl
would be afforded by our withdrawal from
our reciprocity agreement. Moreover, tn
loss of the Hawaiian trade would In
evitably be followed by tho loss O
that political control for which America
statesmen have striven for sixty years. In
stead of occupying, as they now do, tn
position of q suzerain toward Hawaii, tn
United States would leave tho islands a
tho mercy of tho first strong power tina
should desire to annex them. We coul
not expect Great Britain. Germany
France. and Japan to suffer US
play much longer the part Of dog-in-th,
manger with reference to one Of the mos
valuable insular groups In the Pacif'
Will 1t be said that we should fght soons
than see Hawaii acquired by either of I'll
four powers namedi How foolish, then, {
surrender the monopoly Of Hawaiis trad
which peaceably assures to Us political pr
ponderance at Honolulu.
What we should have done four years ag
and what now we cannot do too speedil
10 to incorporate politically the Hawaiis
islands with the United States. Meanwhi
we should cling to the commercial contr
Of them which we possess.