Evening star., 1897-05-01

HAWAIIAN TREATY
Its Abrogation Unlikely, According to
Senator Frye.
OUR NEED OF PEARL HARBOR
The Treaty Was a Condition Of Its
Cession.
THE PRESENT CONDITIONS
THE PRESENT CONDITIONS

Senator Frye of Maine is one Of the best
questions, and is particularly well informed
as to Hawaiian matters. In response to an
inquiry by Star reporter today as to the
prospects of the abrogation of the reci-
procity treaty with Hawaii, he said:
''Ten days ago should have replied that
there was very great danger of the ahro-
cation of the treaty. l say now that l
do not think that the abrogation is pos
sible.
"The Mckinley bill had in it a provision
similar to that in the present bill, abrogat-
ing the treaty. In the Senate it did not
receive more than a dozen votes. A simi-
lar provision in the Wilson bill did not
receive any greater support in the Senate.
The representatives of the sugar trust are
now seeking the abrogation of this treaty
with more than usual energy and activity.
They are deeply interested in abrogation,
and do not know Of any one else who is.
In their efforts to secure their own inter-
ests they are misrepresenting the disad-
vantages to the United States from this
treaty and concealing the advantages The
advantages are manifold and the disad-
vantages small.
When the Treaty Was Made.
when the treaty was made with Ha-
tions committee. 1t was then obvious to
the members Of the foreign relations COM
mittee that If we were to develop and pre-
serve our commerce on the Pacific it was
OF vital importance that we should have a
coaling station in Hawaii. With some diff
Guilty the government of Hawaii was in
duced to cede Pearl Harbor to us, as a
compensation for the advantages Hawaii
would derive from the treaty. {.
1T was the understanding of the COM
mittee that the cession of this harbor was
forever. believe that view of the matter
to have been correct and the present COM
mittee holds 1t to be SO: but Mr.. Carter, at
that time the Hawaiian minister to this
country. Eotified Mr. Bayard that our rights
to Pearl Harbor would cease with the abro-
CATION OF the treaty, and Mr.. Bayard SO
notified the committee
Il believe that our right to Pearl Harbor is
legally vested forever, tut If we should alb
rogate the treaty We could not justify our
selves before the nations of the world If
we insisted on holding Pearl Harbor after
depriving Hawaii of the privileges for
which it was given in compensation. Ha-
wall would have a moral right to withdraw
the cession, and moral right is often as
strong as legal right.
An Injustice to Hawaii.
1.-The Mckinley bill did great injustice
to Hawaii in providing for the free ad-
mission of sugar from other countries, and
aggravated it by giving bounty to the
American producers of sugar. This took
away the principal advantage Hawaii got
from the reciprocity treaty; but SO strong
is the American feeling in Hawaii that
they did not retaliate, but suffered the IN
justice until 1t was corrected. But in view
of the present disturbed condition of affairs,
the controversy with the Japanese and the
dangers of the situation, Hawaii would be
justified If We abrogated the treaty in ap-
pealing to England for protection 1 think
they would do this, and England would
promptly respond to their appeal"