The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1897-04-19
TARIFF IS FIRST
Attorney General Smith and Ills
Mission.
TREATY WILL Be FOUGHT
Annexation Now or Trea.
ty Will Surely Go.
Some Senators Will Oppose-Sec-
retary Sherman'S Attitude.
Quarantine Matters.

Il have enjoyed my visit to the
States immensely, seen and talked with
number of Senator'S" said Attorney
General Smith yesterday, land ascer-
tanned how they feel on the subject of
annexation. Quite number that | met
are not familiar with the conditions
existing here, and it is from them we
must expect the greatest opposition TO
the continuance of the reciprocity
treaty.
LAS to annexation? They feel as
men have felt for so years past that
closer political union with the United
States is the destiny of Hawaii. That
feeling was strengthened by the con-
summation if the treaty of 1875 and
it is growing stronger all the time
among the friends of the movement.
They believe the time has arrived .
they fail this time the abrogation of
the reciprocity treaty viii follow.
There will be a bitter fight made
against the treaty in this session. for
some of the Senators feel that since
the treaty went into effect the United
States has practically made Hawaiian
planters a present of S55. 900, 900 or, to
quote Secretary Sherman, about three
times what the Islands are worth
These men argue that the treaty was
made as a stepping stone to annexa-
tion and if that bond is not to be ce-
mented now, there is no use allowing a
treaty which puts gold into the pock-
cts of few to continue in force Presi-
dent Mckinley was very cordial with
us, and made many inquiries regard
ing the conditions here, and seemed
anxious to familiarize himself through
us. | cannot quote any of his remarks
but | believe I am safe in saying that
he was deeply interested in all we told
him
Secretary Sherman may not fight
annexation. though he is opposed TO
the acquisition of any more territory
by the United States. In a conversation
with me. Mr.. Sherman said: My views
in this subject are we'll known but
what / may think personally and what
! may do as member of Mr.. McKin-
ley's Cabinet are different matters.
Naturally this remark would lead one
TO believe he would not strongly op-
pose US. They feel over there that Ha-
waii must be controlled by a foreign
power. and the policy thus far has been
one of hands iff, l think now they
realize the seriousness of the situa-
tin. and that if the United States does
not take hold. some other Government
will.
DO | think an annexation message
viii be presented at this special ses-
sion? / have no idea. thousand
bills have been prepared on different
subjects and handed in but not one
has been presented. 1t has been given
out that nothing but tariff legislation
must be attended TO. and until the Sen
ate is through with the Dingley bill
am confident no other matters will be
handled. unless something serious
should arise. We cannot tell anything
about it: neither can they. But | am
safe in saying that the tariff bill will
not be finished for four months. at
least. Our affairs must be handled very
carefully until they have finished their
ON important matters"
The attention of Mr.. Smith was call
ed 10 that part Of the tariff bill which
provides for duty of cents a pound
on pineapples. and asked if he believed
the Hawaiian delegation could have
that excepted or included in the reci-
procity treaty. Replying to the ques-
ton. he said:
Il do not believe We can do any
thing. The trouble with the Senators
is that they think we are getting too
much already, and if we ask for more
the whole treaty viii go. Literally. the
treaty is being suspended over a very
warm fire. and TO stir it means that |