Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-03-17
sssar Growing and Annexation.

Sugar Growing and Annexation.
The Honolulu Evening Bulletin OF
Feb. 10 devotes two columns to dis'
cussioi, OF the subject of sugar grow
irg and it's bearing upon annexation.
This is of more interest because the
tariff bill as presented to the House
ty the committee on ways and means
provides rate upon raw sugar that
will serve to considerably stimulate
the beet sugar industry in this coun-
try; also because the question OF an
rexation is likely to soon arise for set
Element The purpose Of this article
is to show that the United States not
withstanding it's endeavor to increase
it's beet sugar production will profit by
the annexation CT the islands in respect
to this one article of commerce. Inc
article to which we now refer is sup
Elemental to one previously published
by the Bulletin to demonstrate by O.
compilation of statistics its argument
that the United States would profit by
a closer union. American authorities
were cited for the proposition that 1t
would be a long while before the do
nestle supply would even approach
the consumption of sugar in the United
States. When it is added now that the
per capita consumption Of sugar In this
country increased from 241 pounds In
1867 to G6.4 pounds in 1S94-which proba
bly, indicates by this time a treble in
crease in thirty years-the proposition
referred to can hardly be gainsaid in
the opinion Of the Bulletin Willett &
Gray. the great American statists of
sugar. have estimated that the present
consumption of two million tons of
sugar in that country would double
within the coming ten years, but they
could not foretell a time when the
home supply would catch up with the
enormously increasing demand.
Continuing the Bulletin says:
Hawaiian sugar production has in
creased to an extent that is very graft
flying to the people of this country.
Taking the twenty years from 1875 to
1885, inclusive, although some single
years showed a decrease, the sugar
output of Hawaii has increased. in
round numbers. from 1880 to H7.50G
tons. 1t has now reached the 100000
mark, but henceforth the increase will
be slower. The current issue of the
Planters Monthly has letter. indeed.
from planter cautioning his fellow
planters against the danger of overdo-
ing the extension of their fields. He
says that "our crop cannot be increased
10 any extent, even if it can be kept at
its present figure" The Bulletin is of
opinion, however. that there is still
good deal of land in these islands which
can be added to the sugar cane area.
For probably the most part of the I'M
developed territory. expensive irriga-
ton works would be necessary. yet
there is enterprise here that will not
be baked, on that score. if only the
sugar market of the world keep any
way decent. Suppose, however, that
the Hawaiian sugar product should
double in the next ten years. it would
still be in no higher ratio to the guam
tity of sugar the United States has to
import then than it is today. The fact
will remain that Hawaiian sugar can
not possibly be the cause of lowering
the price that American sugar raisers.
either cane or beet, will receive for
their product in the home market"
Nothing short of prohibitive
measures of protection to the domestic
product will prevent the Hawaiian
crop from being sold in the American
market. But without any mutual sta
tus being maintained between the two
countries. Hawaii will not be bound to
buy American products with the pro-
ceeds of our sugar She may obtain
an abundant revenue from taxing
American goods. If she is not treated.
by the United States as an offshoot
and outpost of American civilization,
as she undoubtedly is in fact, Hawaii
will have to seek affiliations elsewhere"
"A neighboring country to
the United States, as this is. buying
five or six million dollars worth of
American merchandise every year, is
scarcely to be lightly spurned in it's
overtures fer closer relations by
thoughtful American statesmen. 1t is
not only what appears in the tables of
imports to this country. however, that
makes the Hawaiian connection valu-
able to the United States, and empha-
sizes the argument for more intimate
bonds and these permanent. There is
not section of Americas foreign COM
merce which reflects so much glory on
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