The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1905-12-08


TO allow American manufactures to
come into Hawaii without duty. 1t
was finally passed for ten years to be
abrogated by either party after that
time on one years notice The first
ten years expired and in 1885 and 1887
there was talk Of abrogating it. One
of the reasons why it was not abrogat-
ed was the fact that Great Britain re-
allied more then than she had in the
past the advantage that these islands
would be to her. She put in the claim
that there was violation of the treaty
of 1S43. But she merely filed the claim
and as long as Uncle Sam kept his
hold on the islands, John Bull had moth
ing to say. But the minute that IN
Gle Sam had let go of Hawaii, that
claim would have suddenly grown enor-
mously and the first thing you knew,
John Bull would have had the islands.
This is one of the reasons why Uncle
Sam continued the treaty.
That treaty knit us closely TO the
protection and influence of the United
States. Prior 10 that time, there were
merchants in this city who kept their
books in pounds, shillings and pence.
And there was talk Of reciprocity
treaty With Australia and a market
there for our sugar.
ANNEXATION TALK
From 1853 there had been talk of an
nexatfon. In 1854 there was consider
able talk OF il here. The newspapers
discussed it, the public men agitated
it. The constitution OF the Republic
when it came to be organized provided
for annexation but ii was not brought
about. II was not until the war with
Spain that it was brought about, and
then it was largely matter of send-
ment with the American people more
than reason. The reason for that SEN
timent is one of the things for which
Hawaii may be proud. That sentiment
was made by my predecessor in office.
1t was this way. We had heard that
there was Spanish cruiser in the Car
dimes. She might come here. We all
remember how one day Diamond Head
Charlie from the lookout station re-
ported a strange steamer sighted ana
how people rushed Up and down Fort
street until finally she was recognized
as a British tramp steamer. And about
that time came the question of Wheth-
er the Republic OF Hawaii should re-
main neutral. Whether it should allow
the vessels OF the United States and
tUOS6 Oh SPAIN 10 COiIAS CLi4C NOelA uHO1
an equal footing. Whether they should
be treated alike? There was much dis
cussion. More newspaper talk and
more street-corner arguments. 1t was
a dainty morsel for the tongue.
Just about this time President Dole
and the American Minister, Mr.. Sewal
took a ride around Diamond Head and
on their way they talked over the
neutrality situation. They discussed
the question of whether the Hawaiian
government was going to take sides or
remain neutral. Minister SeWau urged
upon President Dole the necessity and
advisa bility OF coming out with a state
ment of the government position But
Mr.. Dole listened and said nothing. In
the meantime, there came out talk in the
papers that the Hawaiian government
ought to declare itself either one way
or the other. 1t was said that Presi-
dent Dole was scared It was said that
the Hawaiian government was scared
and that it did not know what to do.
Still Dole said nothing. Then q mail
came from the United States and i'm
mediately the government announced
that it would not-remain neutral. but
that Hawaii would stand OF fall with
its foster Uncle Sam. And notice was
the same treatment in Hawaiian ports
as in home ports and that ships of
Spain will be regarded as ships of the
enemy. Then it turned out that Mr..
Dole had had the farsightedness and
good judgment not to take his position
without first writing to the President
of the United States to ascertain Wheth-
or such an attitude on the part of the
Hawaiian government would in any
way embarrass the United States. And
this is what brought annexation. The
fact was telegraphed all over the Unit
ed States and the people felt that the
people of Hawaii were willing to ex-
pose themselves to danger, while the
people OF the United States, especially
in the central portions, were exposed to
none. And there rose such a demand
from all over the country that Con-
gress had to act.
THE INSULAR POSSESSION DE-
CISION.
Now at the time that the islands
We're annexed, the decision of the Su-
preme Court of the United States on
insular possessions had not been made.
Uncle Sam had not had any dusky
damsels on his hands up to that time,
that the islands should come. in and
become an integral part Of the Union
as Territory with full privileges and
obligations. Il was not considered that
a territorial form Of government, while
well enough suited to a sparsely inhab-
tied, half wild, unsettled community,
was hardly suitable to one with seven
ty-five years of history, civilization and
education. But some consideration
was paid to these things and as a con-
sequence the Territory of Hawaii was
given exceptional powers. We were
given supreme court, which no other
territory has. we were given judicia-
~ organized on state rather than terri
torial lines. We were given a legisla-
tive department organized on an cleo
tive and not an appointive basis. We
were. given exceptional powers also as
to the subject Of legislation"
THE DEWEY VICTORY.
The Governor then reviewed the his
tory of Dewey, the famous ''insular
possessions decision of the Supreme