THE SANDWICH ISLANDS AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

Samoa Times and South Sea Gazette, Issue 17, 26 January 1878, Page 2

THE SANDWICH ISLANDS AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

For years the people of the Sandwich Islands, more particularly those interested in the cultivation of sugar-cane and the production of the coarser qualities of sugar, were constant and persistent iu thoir calls upon the United States Government for a reciprocity treaty, whereby their sugar might enter American porta without having to pay our onerous tariff. The readers of this journal know how earnestly it advocated such a treaty, and how oaruestly some other journals opposed the proposition. Somo few years ago the " King of the Cannibal Islands," the Princely, courteous, goad follow, Kakikana, made a visit to this country, and although he did not enter upon an electioneering tour, in favor of thu proposed treaty, there is no doubt that liis sensible, courteous manner aided the causo indirectly. But it took two or throe years even after that before the wise members of Congress could look at the subject like rational beings. Finally a Treaty was concluded, exchanged and ratified ; and immediately its results became apparent. It was part through sympathy with the sugar planters of the Hawaiian Islands that the Treaty had boon ett'eetcd, for it was seen that otherwise they would l>o obliged to quit the business or el* l enter into treaties with Australia or Now Zealand, and give them their trade.

It is not a great while since tlitH Trcnty was completed and exchanged. But already its bencfldal effects art appanipf

The Custom Hon*' investigations by the Commission in this city hare tarred the useful and satisfactory purpose of showing how beneficial the 'I reaty Ms proved, not alone to the planters of the Hawaiian Oroup, but to OUT mercliaiits, sugar refiners, shipping interests, and, it might hi said, the general public. The testinionv of our iuost resj)ectable, responsible j and'intelligent merchants and snipping men, engaged in the Sandwich Island trade, is all to the point of advantages accruing from the Treaty. Shipping business—that is, imports and exports — have already doubled. Representatives of several firms of merchants in this city, engaged in this trade, all testify to the beneficial effects of tho Treaty. Already doubling his own business, it has saved the sugar planters of tho Islands from bankruptcy and ruin, and the trade of the Islands from being transferred from our own ports to those of our British cousins in the South Pacific. When it is recollected and known that two-thirds, if not four-fifths, of tho sugar-planters of the Islands are Americans, and that the Government is virtually an American province under a foreign Prince, tho wisdom of the Treaty becomes still moro apparent. In the ordinary course of nature, not n very long time can probably elapse before the Hawaiian Islands will fall into the possession of the United States. It will follow as naturally M did Oregon and the other Western States and Territories. The native populatiru is surely dying out. It numbers less than fifty thousand. When discovered by Captain Cook, loss than one hundred years ago, they were reported to contain fourhundred tin 'Usand. There are supposed to be fifteen thousand Americans on the Islands now, constantly increasing, while the natives are decreasing. Some may regret and lament this, but philosophy may ask, what loss to tho world will it lie if fifty thousand of one race disappear naturally, and in accordance with the laws of their being, to be followed by fifty thousand of another, more intelligent, energetic and progressive race ( Our country does not need possession of the Islands, and will take no unlawful nor objectionable means to obtain them. But when the time is ripe, and the people and Government of the Islands desire to become a part of this country, they may eoino in peaceably, with mutual benefit and good will. And this Treaty, of which mention has been made, will have'been one of the peaceful agencies in effecting it. —" Alta."