The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1897-04-28
Senator Perkins Thinks
Trade is One.Sided.
Ex-Oueen LIS Mission in Washing
ton Julius Palmer Talks
for Publication.

WASHINGTON, April 13.-The first
gun in the war on the Hawaiian reci-
prOcity treaty was fired in the Senate
today when Senator Knute Nelson of
Minnesota introduced bill giving no
tice to the Government of the Islands
of the abrogation of the treaty at the
end of one year. This is provided in
the treaty, and the only surprise
shown is that the attack comes from
this source, as the Southern Senators
are the ones who have heretofore
shown desire to attack this conven-
ton. Senator Nelson said concerning
to strike blow at the sugar trusts. He
is now at work as an opponent of all
trades combinations, and this move is
one. of many along these lines. He said
he, believed the sugar trust by reason
Of the advantage gained by securing a
free entry of Hawaiian sugar, was en-
abled to hold more securely the Ameri-
can refined sugar trade, and so he took
this means of curtailing the power of
the trust
Senator Aldrich, who has always
been considered as acting in sympa-
thy with the combined refiners, is said
to be the most active advocate of alb
rOgation. The greatest strength of the
Hawaiian interest has always been
held to be the adherence of the Rhode
Island Senator. AnnexatiOnists, while
they do not make specific claims of
strength, express confidence in their
ability to prevent any action inimical
to their interests, relying on the
friendship of President Mckinley 1t
is now. considered certain that no ac-
ton as to annexation can be secured
this session. The position of the lead
ers in the House indicates that moth
ing will be done, and so annexation
lists are taking no active steps, that the
administration may not be embar-
raised.
The introduction of Nelson's resolu-
ton indicates that the tariff bill will
contain a clause, inserted in the House,
declaring that the proposed duty does
not apply to Hawaiian sugar. Members
of the Finance Committee said today
that they did not consider the Dingley
bill a proper place to introduce a
change in treaty relations. Opponents
of the treaty in California are at work.
Senator Perkins has received petition
bearing 100 names, sent on by the Al
vaTadO beet-sugar factory officials. The
petition sets forth five reasons why
the treaty operates against the beet
sugar industry and is almost entirely
in favor of the Islands. One of the
leading sugar men of San Francisco
also writes that the differential of one
eighth of a cent is not sufficient to keep
out Hong Kong refined sugar. treated
by labor paid 1912 cents a day in gold
while workers ia San Francisco re-
ceive 20 cents an hour. He predicts
that if no greater differential is give1
Chinese sugar refiners will sell all the
sugar they can make in San Francisco
when | remember that the Watson
vile beet sugar factory paid out to
farmers during the season of 100 days
81 400 a day for beets. ] realize how
much advantage it would be to the
State could there be planted all over it
similar factories, and this is enough
TO warrant the taking of any steps
which might induce capital TO invest in
this development of our resources
1t is now believed that a way will be
found to get around that feature of
the treaty of 1875 which cedes TO the
United States Pearl HarbOr as a coal
ing station, seemingly as a partial con
sideration for commercial advantages
granted in the treaty. This is not ex-
pressed in direct terms, but probably
the Government of the Islands would
endeavor to so construe the paragraph
in the event that there is put into the
sugar schedule of the Dingley bill the
provision which Perkins stand would
seem to indicate. a clause placing 4
duty of 1 cent a pound on Hawaiian