The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1897-04-13
FOR RECIPROCITY
Study in Facts and Fig.
ureS Presented.
Some Reasons Why Present Trea-
ty Relations Should be
Continued.


of April contains the following val
liable article on the Reciprocity
Treaty:
Since the announcement that efforts
would be made looking to the abroga-
ton of the Hawaiian reciprocity trea-
", it is reported that a memorial to
the United States Congress was in
course of preparation, advocating the
passage of the measure, and that this
same memorial was alleged TO be in
favor OF those persons interested in the
beet sugar industry.
Promising that no citizen of the
United States would or should so act in
any prejudfciaI manner as to stife or
retaTd any industry that will enable
us by it's operation 10 become indepen-
dent of any foreign base of supplies, il
cannot be denied that the question of
the sugar production of the Hawaiian
Republic, an industry owned and fos-
tered by American citizens. can or will
be considered by any unbiased and
studious observer as being inimical tn
the interests of either the cane or the
beet sugar industries of the United
States
A study of facts and figures viii
convince us that if we as most "a
vored nation by the Hawaiian ReDub-
lie wish to maintain those relations.
two courses are open for our Govern
ment to pursue. Either let us annex
the Islands, so that they may become
an integral part of the Republic. or
else let us refrain from any move that
may be regarded as looking to the abb
rogation of the reciprocity treaty.
When the fact is considered that in
return for the reciprocal advantages
enjoyed. the Hawaiian nation has con-
eeded to the United States the almost
exclusive right to sell its products in
their midst. 1t seems beyond the
bounds of all common reasoning that
any person or body should be so selfish
and short-sighted as to desire the alb
rogation of this treaty, that benefits in
commercial sense the entire country
at large.
The opponents of the continuance of
the treaty can scarcely have consider |
ed the question in a calm or unbiased |
light
Let us suppose that this treaty be |
abrogated, what will be the result? |
The merchants of Honolulu, Hilo and |
other towns will say: We intend 70 |
that favor us: here is Australia, Can |
ada and Japan, countries close to our |
gates, ready and willing to enter into |
all manner of arrangements with us TO |
take our sugars, our coffees and other |
products, at reciprocal advantages; |
why should we be influenced by any |
feelings to patroniZe the United States, |
a country that has treated us so shah |
billy?
For "old acquaintance sake and |
natural ties and feelings that to the |
United States. through whose citizens |
these Islands have been improved and |
developed. we owe some gratitude, we
purchase our needs from them, but IS !
we now see that jealous interests are |
working to put an end to the treaty |
that binds the two countries, We in
tend to cast sentiment to the winds !
and buy in markets that offer us ad-
vantageS.
This is the opinion of.the mercantile
community of the Hawaiian Islands,
and there is no reservation in declar-
ing that had il not been for this SEN
timent the manufacturers and pro-
ducers of the United States. especially
those of the Pacific coast. would ere
this have found their business with the
Islands at a low ebb.
For il has long been known that des-
perate efforts have been made by Eng
Iish. German Australian and Canadian
firms to sell goods to the Islanders at
far lower rates than we can quote
Not only are overtures being made
TO the authorities of the Hawaiiin ISL
ands by Canada and Australia, but
Japan is now in the field, ready and
willing to grant all sorts of advantages
in the form of reciprocity, in exchange
for the sugars produced. Japan VIII
only be too willing TO grant protec-
torate over the Islands. and this offer
in itself is a serious menace TO the
United States
The land of the rising sun is des-
tined to become a formidable competl-
tor in these Islands, as we'll as In other
parts of the world, with all nations, |
and it would not be pleasing spec |
tacIe for the people of this country 10
have as their neighbOrS a race VINO. |
while advantageous as laborers, would
not be desirable as rulers OF the ISL |
ands. and subject American Interests |
to restriction and control.
That the Japanese legation in Wash I
ington is watching the efforts OF the |
Senators and others TO abrogate THIS |
reciprocity treaty there is no doubt |
and the least speck upon the horizon |
that NAV indicate that the treaty will |
be annulIed will be taken advantage of |
by the diplomat. and his Government |
notified.
The statement has been made that |
plantations of sugar cane and other |
industries of the Hawaiian Republic |
are owned in the main by foreigners. |
Official data that may be consulted in |
the United States State Department at |
Washington will prove TO the con-
trary.
Table showing the amount of capital |
invested in sugar plantations of the |
Hawaiian Republic
Total amount invested " $50. 146 COL |
American citizens. Hawaiian
born Americans. and Am
erican- Hawaiian half
castles own of this sum-. 25,516,416 |