The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-11-22
Foreign Graft Seek to Crawl in
Under Hawaiian Flag.
COMPLICATIONS IN THE WAY,
Provincial Government Of the
Islands Unable to Grant Regis
tratiou-Will Congress Extend
Coastwise shipping Laws TO Ha-
wafi.-EGect on Commerce.
Interest Felt by Marine Men.

Acute interes. Is felt among shipping
men as TO the course Of acton 70 De pur-
sued By congress at its next session IN re-
gard 10 the navigation laws regulating
commerce with Hawaii Should this COM
gnerce come under the coasIwlse shipping
laws. vessels not registered n America VIII
be barred cut and operators OF foreign
built craft in the Hawaiian tyade will have
either 10 abandon the route. secure Arneri-
can built vessels or an American register
The United States marine laws provide
that no vessel shall have an American reg
ister unless the bottom was laid in the
United States or repairs and alterations
have been made here amounting TO two
thirds the value OF the boat.
A rurnor that the n : 7agers OF the British
steamer Garonne intended on reaching Ha-
waii. to pu, the vessel under Hawaiian
registry, in the hope OF coming under the
United States flag in this indirect way has
been credited by many not familiar with
the facts.
registered by the present provisional gov
eminent Of Hawaii as an Hawaiian vessel
would be somewhat peculiar The situa-
ton was vigorously explained yesterday by
Well-infoFmed shipping man who said:
AS q matter OF fact vessel sailing an
der a Hawaiian register would have the
same standing as a pirate, which belongs
10 no country There Is no Hawaiian flag
and the Hawaiian provisional government
itself exists simply by permission OF the
United states and can assume no sovereign
powers. The granting OF a register TO a
vessel would unquestsonably be an act or
sovereignty. A vessel sailing under no re-
cognizeG flag would be LA BILE 10 the same
tate as the boats Of the Fflippinos con;is-
Gated by Admiral Dewey"
When the annexation Of Hawaii was first
agitated number Of foreign vessels
sought 10 change TO Hawaiian registry
IN order 10 come under the American flag
with annexation. This was carried on 20
such an extent that Hawaiians became
alarmed for fear American shipowners
might grow antagonistic and balk the pro-
posed annexation An agreement was then
made that after July l. 1855. no more for
egn vessels would be registered.
Approached on this matter yesterday
Manager Frank Waterhouse Of the Ga
rome. said: I'VE are sanguine that con-
gress VIII not extend 10 Hawaii the coast
wise shipping laws. Many influential COM
panies would be hurt BY such action and
they VIII have lobbyists in Washington 10
represent their interests. The number Of
vessels on this coast under American regis
try As compared with those flying foreign
flags. IS small. The value OF the Csaroufs,
would be increased by sl00, go If she had an
American registry.
If the action of congress is adverse TO
us. We will have either 20 secure an AulerI-
can built steamer or else change our head
quarters and point of departure 10 Vic
toria. The former alternative can hardly
be taken advantage OF since there are SO
few, II any, available American steamers
to be bought"