The San Francisco call., 1899-10-10
FRANCHISES LOST
BY ILWAYS
CONSERVATION Exists
in Honolulu.
MANY FIRMS LOSE LAND
EFFECT OF A RECENT ORDER
BY THE PRESIDENT.
His Edict Stopping the Sale of Pub
lie Lands and Debating Void
Past Transfers Is Com
bated.
BY HORACE WRIGHT.

HONOLULU, Oct 2-President Dole and
his Cabinet are beginning TO understand
that Hawaii is annexed and that there
is a higher authority over the people OF
Hawaii than the men who dethroned the
monarchy. On the morning after the OF
fetal proclamation Of the executive order
Of President Mckinley relating 10 the sale
Of public lands ! called upon President
Dole TO obtain from him an expression OF
his views He evidently felt that he had
been rebuked upon insufficient grounds,
and he refused to be interviewed, saying
merely: I'VE are but subordinates 70 the
Government in Washington, and l do not
think it would be right or proper for me
10 discuss the matter
He then proceeded to a meeting Of in
iuental citizens TO arrange for Hawaii
being represented at the Paris EXposi-
ton as a territorial part OF the United
States, and this representation, so far as
Hawaii is concerned, IS now practically
arranged for, unless another executive
ACCOMMODATING the Presidents order is a
long letter from Attorney General Grggs
10 President Mckinley IN which, after
referring to the protest to the proposed
sale of the Olaa lands, he says:
Il have given attentive consideration TO
the question raised by these papers. and
have no hesitation in advising you that
the officers OF the existing Government IN
said islands have no authority 10 sell or
otherwise dispose of the public lands in
the Hawaiian Islands. and that any such
sales. or agreement 10 sell, VIII be abSO-
lutely null and void as against the Gov
ernment of the United States. 1t is only
necessary to refer to the language of the
(Newlands) resolution and to the well un-
derstood principles Of public law which
govern the subject OF territory ceded by
one Government 10 another TO reach the
easy conclusion that the public lands in
the Hawaiian Islands. upon the approval
of nc became
the property Of the nlted States, and
could thereafter be disposed of only in ac-
CordanCe with such special laws as Con-
greSS might thereafter direct. Inc fact
that Congress has failed up to this time
10 legislate on the subject has not rein
vested the Hawaiian Government with its
former power Of disposition. That power
ceased upon the cesSlOn. Until Congress
passes laws in conformity TO the proViS-
ions Of the resolution Of annexation pro-
viding for the sale or disposition Of these
lands they must remain undiSpOSed Of
1t may be interesting to learn who are
affected under the provision that # any
sales or agreements for sale OF said pub
lie lands have been made since the adop-
ton of the resolution OF annexation the
purchasers shall be notified that the same
are null and void ard any consideration
paid to. the local authorities on account
therefor shall be refunded
Official figures give the amount Of money
received since annexation at S51 81 80
which amount ii Is said. has been applied
10 the payment OF Government bonds, and
not directly for educational purposes
Nearly 2l0 persons and corporations are
interested in the decision, and some 10. AZ;
acres OF land have been disposed of since
annexation, and in addition a very large
number of small homesteads. of from ter
to thirty acres each, have also been takeT
UP. principally by Hawaiians and POrtu.
guese on the Islands Of Hawaii and Maui
The principal sufferers probably are the
Honolulu Sugar Company, who gave SO.
600 for lot upon which their mill and
buildings are erected. and 9. Brewer &
Co. who have erected a handsome com
mercial building at great cost. Costly i'm.
proVements have also been placed on q
very large number of the lots Among
the other sugar plantations affected are
the Makee Nahiku. Pioneer. Olaa coffee
and others. The Catholic mission is also q
loser. The Makee Company has its costly
pumping plant upon its forty-four acres
erected at an enormous cost. The Oahu
railroad suffers a little but the Hilo anC
KOhala railroads have practically their
rights Of way taken from them and are
placed a a standstil.
1t is now understood that unless the ex.
ecutive order is modified the matter vii
be taken before the Supreme Court Of the
United States by certain wealthy firms.