New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-28
RECIPROCITY WITH HA VAIL
EX-MINISTER THURSTON Afrof Els
AGAINST ABROGATIoN OF THE
TREATY.

Washington April 27-Lorin A. Thurston. ex-Nin-
lister from Hawaii and at present a special commits
soner from that country, has submitted 10 the
Finance Committee OF the Senate statement OF the
reasons why the Hawaiian reciprocity treaty ought
not TO be abrogated by the Tariff bill and why 1t
should not. on its merits be abrogated at all. After
pointing out that the treaty provides that 1t shall
remain In force for twelve months after notice OF alb
rogaton. the statement says In part:
1T is proposed, however. practically to abrogate
the treaty by putting the tarin on Hawaiian prod
ucts imported into the United States which arc free
by treaty regardless Of the treaty. 1t IL submitted
that this suggestion should be followed. for four
reasons. viz:
"First-It would be a deliberate violation OF
solemn treaty. There IL no Overwhelming necessity
shown for Immediate action Of so grave character
as to require population OF an international treaty.
"Second-The imposition Of duty on Hawaiian
products especially without the notice required by
the treaty. would disarrange and throw into con-
fusion all OF the mercantile and financial interests
existing betv the Islands and the United States
and suspend, curtail and ruin, not only many
Hawaiian citizens. but great numbers OF Americans,
both in Hawaii and the United States. who have
made investments to an amount approxmating Ho-
100000 upon the faith OF the treaty.
"Third-The Tariff bill Is revenue measure, and
should not be complicated by importing into II far
reaching questions of foreign poicy-questons upon
which there is great diversity OF opinion and involv
derived from a duty on Hawaiian products
"Fourh-What the future policy OF the United
States concerning Hawaii Is be Is question OF the
first importance and of broad National policy. 1t
should be considered by itself in such manner and
under such conditions TO present all phases OF the
question, and not the single, narrow financial phase
which 10 primarily raised by the Tariff bill"
The statement then discusses the policy Of the
United States toward Hawaii and says: 1T is sUb-
mtted that as the years have passed. and the pol
icies OF intervention and non-intervention with at
fairs beyond the limits Of the republic have alter
nately waxed and waned one consistent and per-
sisent policy has been pursued b. the United States
concerning Hawaii. viz. that the preservation OF
tho Hawaiian Islands from the control OF any other
nation is essential the welfare OF the United
States. The enunciaton of this principle has not
been confined 10 any part or branch OF the Govern
ment. The policy of the United States has been
that Of exclusion of other nations from Hawaii. de-
velopment OF American interests and ultimate Amer
loan control
After making all due allowance for United
States philanthropy and generosity. the fact re-
mains that the moving cause OF United States
policy concerning Hawaii has been the conviction
that the possession friendly neutrality OF Hawaii!
is political and military necessity TO United
States interests in the Pacific. With Hawaii In
the hands of any hostile Power. the only coaling
station from Nicaragua to Hong Kong. from San
francisco to Samoa. would be closed TO American
cruisers. and made centre from which hostile
descents could be made upon the Pacific Coas, and
its commerce destroyed. With Hawaii in the con-
troll Of the United States, the base of supplies Of
a hostile naval force is thrown back to the entire
width Of the Pac1c-a practically prohlbitive dis
lance, coal enough would have TO be carried
TO steam across the Pacific and return, a distance
Of from 1850 to 5000 miles to say nothing Of coal
consumption in operating on the Pacific Coast, Il
quantity far beyond the capacity OF any warship
in existence. American control OF Hawaii is there
fore practical insurance against naval attack on
the Pacific Coast and on shipping in that vicinity
THE objective point OF United States policy has
been political and not financial advantage The
reciprocity treaty was not primarily intended as
an experiment In reciprocity, for the purpose OF
n tba d oRgS could ON no
buy-the creation and MAINTENANCE OF a friendly
ned states DURING the a few
strated that this POLICY has been &c
and abandon the accrued benefits of sixty years OF
Under the head OF "Hawalrs Course II the Treaty
Is Abrogated' the statement says: IF the treaty
is sbrogatei, Hawaii will he free TO make such
stances may require. Strong and steadfast as the
American feeling is in Hawaii, II tho island prod
practically raS prohibiive duty, they will be com
PEELED, in order TO avoid ruin TO their cher In,
dustry TO seek a market in Australia Canada ana
England. and will DO free to offer In compensa.
ton for special trade privileges accorded to Hawai-
the rights and privileges heretofore aGSoT t 10
the United States. and now exclusively held by IL
under he terms OF the existing treaty.
Elaborat. statistics are given 10 show the az,
yantages OF the treaty 70 the rafc s@arHes
The dement's and losses which have accrued to tho
United States by virtue Of tho treaty as follows:
o. Remission by Hawaii Of duties on Arner 60, mn o
&C. Gan rr pfG.'g made by American citizens
feights commission shpSuans insuf 10 ri sss
O. Existing property acquired by American -o,..
citizens '''''''
Gross accrued financial benefit, .si1sss2s $40
fhare must be
RENTED BY the United States amounting to- $3.50 24i
Net financial benefits which have accrued
the United states and Its citizens by cot no, coo
of the treaty $oi"o''''
Mr.. Thurston sums up under the head Of results
If the treaty is abrogated" as follows: IF the
accrue to the United States and it's citizens:
"First-Hawa win levy duty on n, all Limit United
"Second-Hlwaii probably will enter into reclp-
rocal commercial relations with other countries
which will largely divert Hawaiian trade and tho
profits arising therefrom to those countries
driven American shipping out OF the trade OF every
other country will operate TO eliminate 1t from the
"Fourth-The political control for which Amer
lean statesmen have been striving for sixty years
abandoned at a stroke. and America will be rele-
gated from the dominant position which 1t now
England and France alternately bullied and took
possession of the islands and elHi en- equal ana
even superior rights TO the United states. Instead
of the UHted States remaining the practca! sue
rain poWer Hawaii as II now ls by tne Voluil-
arv act of the United States Hawaii will be turned
loose to become the prey of The first great Power
which chooses 10 gather IL in and the United states
will have placed Itself upon an equality with Eng
land France and Japan, thereafter 10 engage IN
srramble for the control OF Hawaii under the dis
sdvantapes of a self INFLICTED handicap
SAN FRANCISCO MERCHANTS ALARMED.
THEY SAY ABRoGATIoN OF TIE HAWAIIAN
TREATY WOULD BE or GREAT HARM
TO THE PACIFIC COAST.
San Francisco April q (SpeciaD.-Leading bank
ers and merchants OF this city are greatly dis