The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1898-05-09
OUR NEUTRALITY.

The actual and acknowledged exist
ence of war between the United States
and Spain. brings into operation all OF
the laws regarding the rights and obi
cations of belligerents, and also the
rights and obligations of neutral
states.
The relation of Hawaii to either OF
the belligerent parties is precisely the
same as that of any other neutral
state. unless it is modified by the ces-
sim of Pearl harbor to the United
States. or by the pending treaty OF an
nexatiOn.
IF the cession of rights in Pearl har-
bor to the United States has any value,
they are open to capture by Spain. ANY
right, or property or interest OF one
belligerent is open to seizure by the
other. But as Pearl harbOr has at pres
ent no we'll defined value, it may be
left out of the pending questions.
AS a matter of fact, the probabilities
e extremely remote of any approach
by the Spaniards to these Islands, IL
tracted, they will send cruisers OF some
kind into the Pacific, and If they can
secure coal supplies, will destroy Am
erican shipping. They would probably
call at this port. Long before these
crueiers are near us, the decisive naval
battles will have been fought between
tho great fleets, and the main question
of s1periority will be settled.
Our duties therefore as neutral
state may never become practlcal
question. so far as Spain is concerned.
At the same time as member OF the
family of nations, we must declare our
Dosition. because we are marltlme
state. 1t may not be necessary to make
this declaration at once. For the OBJ
iect of making it, is not so much TO
establish neutrality, as it is to pro-
claim to the maritime world what rules
and regulations we have chosen 10
adopt governing commerce or the
visits of belligerents. A nation is pre-
sumed to be neutral, until she declares
otherwise But nations differ some
what regarding rules and regulations
Therefore proclamations of neutrality
are usually made in order to define
rights and obligations.
1t will probably not be seriously dis
Duted that Hawaii is still an independ-
ent. sovereign State. If the United
States claim any rights of sovereignty
here, we fail to see what they are
They have neither civil or crimina
jurisdiction. Their representatives
have no authority whatsoever within
the limits of the Republic. The ratl-
fication of the treaty of annexation pI
the Hawaiian Senate is merely part
of an unexecuted agreement, wh1ct
has no force and effect until executed
bv the American Senate. 1t is the case
of a deed of land, signed, sealed, bu
not delivered, and therefore OF NJ
value whatever as a transfer or title
Probably the Hawaiian Senate coulC
now reverse it's act Of ratification, an'
it would be recognized as legal.
The existence of an American
nspbere of influence" over the Island
is. so far as belligerent rights are con
cerned an indefinite condition; i
vests no title in the American States
The American Congress can, If l
chooses, make these Islands America
territory in a hours time. Until
does so, Hawaii is, so far as law goes
independent and neutral
AS a neutral state she should fol
low, in due time, the example OF othe
neutral states, and proclaim her neu
trality. Such a proclamation woul
require the Bennington to leave tn
mort within "a hours, just as the POI
tuguese required the Spanish fleet t
leave st. Vincent at once Should tn
bennington refuse to go, we could nc
help ourselves, but would show
honest neutrality.
A strict regard for the laws whic
govern neutrals, undoubtedly demand
that our friends, the Americans, shout
in no way whatever, make this port
basis of naval supplies or operation
If they choose to put their own inter
probation on these laws, or disregar
them. we cannot help ourselves.
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