The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1909-11-07
The Erratic Alfonso,

l.
The Erratic Alfonso.
Alfonso the Erratic, rose to make one
of his characteristic speeches. He &C.
cused Cohen of the heinous crime of
quoting an Advertiser editorial. He be-
lieved that if the resolution were to be
adopted, the United States would not
have even eleven ships. The bulk of
the business would be done by vessels
flying foreign flags. "The chances
are,' he said, 'tthat the next congress
will pass subsidy to aid American
shipping. But if there is no need for
American ships, then, why should there
be subsidy to help an American
marine? Quoting Mr.. Cohen, we want
to advance, not to retrograde. NoW, are
we advancing or are we retrograding2
This legislature is extremely patriotic.
do not believe that this resolution is
American in sentiment. 1t is un-Amer-
lean. Instead of asking congress to
drive from the Pacific Ocean the eight
American vessels, let US ask congress
to pass a subsidy so we can drive from
the Pacific the blood-red flag of Japan.
"Some of US are only pocket-deep
Americans. If matter hits our pock-
cts, we are not American enough to
stand it.
GLOW much have the public discuss
| ed this matter, outside the press2 We
| have The Advertiser advocating this
suspension and the Star and the Bulle-
| tin opposing it. l insist that though
| the objects sought are only temporary
| it will permanently drive from the Pa
cific Ocean what little shipping we now
have. l therefore move that the resolu-
| ton be tabled indefinitely
Kaniho seconded the motion because
| he said he considered the resolution
very unpatriotic for the reason that il
tries to help aliens.
! He had never seen a petition from
| the people asking the suspension of the
coastwise shipping laws The resolu
ton would be encouraging japanese
| because they can carry passengers
cheaper than American steamship com
| panies. eve are like Americans
| carrying the japanese flag on oul
| heads.'
! Castro Convinced.
Castro said he had asked to have
consideration deferred so he could get
some figures showing the conditions OF
j. passenger traffic between Honolulu ana
San Francisco.
''The question has been carefully
| discussed by the business organizations
and while most of them have agreed
that suspension would be best, other,
| have agreed that it would work harm
fThis involves a question of prin
ciple: it also involves conditions tina
really exist in Hawaii.
"As / view the statements of fg
ures showing the number of available
berths in steamers plying between Ho
nolulu and San Francisco. l find tina
all but $50. OF fortv-two per cent
were occupied. This shows that Their
We're enough. But the trouble come
ers. Sometimes we are two or thre
weeks without steamers. The suspeT
sion of the law which will give tn
foreign boats the advantage will wor
: a detriment to the American boats tina
= have been calling here at some troubl,
5 "But men who have studied TIL
: question with great deal Of care sa
: that I am wrong. Let that be so; ca
? this community accomplish anything b
: going before congress divided and Nc
4 with a united front9 This ouestio
does not really belong to the legisl:
: ture. but to our commercial bodies.
e have q great respect for the princin'
Il of protection that has built up ii
great United States. This resolution.