The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1897-07-31
Definite Instructions to
Contrary Action Ignored.
British Steamer Barracuda Also
Given Register-Governm
VIII Take Action.

Information of an annoying nature
late in San Francisco within the past
few days, and the Government is at a
loss for a motive for Consul-General
Wilders open violation of specific in
structions sent him.
1t seems that when the treaty of an
nexation with the United States had
been ratified by the Hawaiian repre-
sentatives, definite and positive in
structions were sent to Consul Wilder
and by him telegraphed or cabled to all
other Hawaiian Consuls that under no
circumstances should any vessels, 9TH
er than those flying the American flag,
be given a Hawaiian register This
act was deemed necessary from the
fact that once Hawaii becomes United
States territory, vessels flying flags of
other Governments could not compete
for the trade here.
In spite of the instructions sent Con-
sui Wilder, the Government has been
informed that it was his intention to
issue provisional registers to the Brit
ish steamship China and the British
steamship Barracuda, the latter ply
ing between Panama and Aspinwall.
It is understood that George W. Mac
farlane is now the flag owner of these
steamers, they having been transfer
red to him by the China Steamship
Company.
One of the Cabinet Ministers said
yesterday that the action of the Con-
sul-General, in view of the instruc-
tions sent him, was open to severe
criticism, in view of the fact that it
was in direct opposition the positive
instructions sent linn. AS a nat
ural sequence to the early annexation
of the Islands, this Government anti
cipated the action of the China Steam
ship Company, and for that reason
sent the instructions to the Consuls,
making the order general.
1t is confidently believed that when
the China enters the harbor in August
she will fly the Hawaiian flag. and
that her captain will make a demand
for permanent register of the steanf-
er. The Government, however, has de-
cided to take prompt action to coun-
teract what Consul-General Wilder
has done in the matter, and, if posi-
BILE, cancel the provisional register al
ready granted. This latter may not be
practicable, as the English register
has already been surrendered to the
British Consul in San Francisco. On
her arrival back at that port, on her
return voyage, the China will be re-
nj
The laws of the United States are
such that vessel flying a foreign flag
is not allowed to carry freight or pas
sengers between two American ports.
Should Hawaiian be annexed it would
according to this law, put an end to
the traffic between the islands and San
Francisco on such steamers now in the
line, not carrying the American flag
| The record breaking China is one Of
these vessels. In 1893, when anneXa-
tion seemed probable, several vessels
were given a register by this Govern
mnt and its was expected more would
have asked at this time
Under the law a foreign built bottom
must have, at least so per cent. of re-
| pairs put on her in the United States
| before she can acquire an American
registry. In the case of the Australia
| it was shown that more than half her
value was put on in repairs in the
| United States, then, by a special act
of Congress, she was given an Ameri-
| can register. This was seven years
ago and the steamer was at that time
under the Hawaiian flag.
The wisdom of the proposed effort to
be made by this Government to revoke
/ the action of the Hawaiian Consul
| General is looked upon with some
doubt by persons interested in ship
ping. One gentleman said: GAS the