The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1897-05-29
ENIGHTENS THE WASHINGTON
POST EDITOR.
Some Clean Cut Arguments Upon the
Present Situation Presented to the
American Public.

Post the organ of the Sugar Trust,
Mr.. Thurston said:
EDITOR Post: You were SO good as to
refer editorially this morning to my .
versatility" for having first made the |
statement that the abrogation of the |
existing reciprocity treaty would in
iuriously affect American shipping |
and export trade, and having stated |
later that it would also iniure Hawaii |
and its trade.
There does not appear to me to be |
anything inconsistent in these two
statements. nor does it require any
special versatility" to point out that !
the breaking up of a mutually advan-
tageous commerce will be injurious |
TO both parties.
1t is claimed, however. that the
treaty is disadvantageous to the Unit
ed States and American citizens. by
reason of the admitted fact that the
United States remts more duties than
Hawaii does.
This custom house table does not
tell the whole story. however. In ad-
ditiOn to the advantages accruing to
the United States by the remission of
Hawaiian duties which appear upon
the customs records. there are profits
accruing to American citizens, resi-
dent in the United States. which do
not appear upon the records. equal to.
If not greater than, the excess of du-
ties remitted by the United States
Government. These profits consist of
dividends, freights. commissions, in
surance, and similar receipts which
are practically in the control of Ameri-
cans and amount to several million
dollars a year.
AS between Hawaii and the United
St1tes Treasury. the balance is in
favor of Hawaii. AS between Hawaii
and the United States Treasury. plus
profits of Americans residing in
America. the benefits are about even.
If there is added to this the profits
accruing to American citizens living
in Hawaii, the advantages accruing to
american and Americans overwhelml-
ingly exceeds the benefits to Hawaii
and Hawaiians.
u = * * - :; *
The Americans who have profited
~ the operation of the treaty have
done well by their country. They
have created an American export
trade of $5,000,OO0 per annum. They
furnish freight to 40 per cent of all
the American ships flying the Ameri-
can flag engaged in foreign trade
with countries outside of the Ameri-
can continent. They have established
American laws, customs. and civiliza-
ton in Hawaii, and so Americanized
the whole country that its Govern
ment has developed from Monarchy
into a Republic which has incorporat-
ed into it's Constitution an invitation
TO the United States to annex Hawaii.
u 4 4 i x
The Hawaiian government recog-
ognizes fully that certain vital meas
ures must first be disposed of before
annexation can be considered, and it
has not and will not unduly press for
consideration of its proposals.
Meanwhile, however, those who rep
resent American interests,and sent-
ment in Hawaii-those who believe
with you, Mr.. Editor, that annexation
will be mutuolly beneficial to Hawaii
and the United States-ask that, pend
ing the consideration and decision of
! this greater s"ue, the existing com
/. mercial relations between the two
countries be allowed to remain upon
, the same basis that they have for the
last twenty-one years.
, Whatever the merits or demerits of
the treaty, its abrogation must seri-
ouSly diSarran~e the commercial in
terests involved. If annexation is to
, take place, there is no object in abro-
[ CATION If annexation is rejected the
continuation of existing commercial
relations for another year viii not cut
much figure one way or the other
Under these circumstances, Mr.
Editor, 7 desire to suggest that You
and others who sincerely think that
Hawaii has the big end under reci-
procity, but who favor annexation.
hold your fire concerning reciprocity,
grid mp your loins, and line up with
your fellow citizens out in the Pacific
in common support of what you all
agree upon, and in support of which
t Won have already done such valuable
2 service-the arnavHtior oe Ur-.,r''
t LORRTN A. THURSTON.
Washington, May Z.