The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1889-06-18
The OCEAN CABLE.

than another that would be received
with universal favor on these islands,
it would be an ocean telegraph cable
to connect Honolulu with the Pacific
| Coast of the United States.
The present want Of Geographic
communication with the outside
world is a disadvantage that hangs
like pail around the kingdom, re-
tards its commercial activity, and
brings continually before us the
worst features Of an isolation that
continuous telegraphic communica-
ton would remove.
The subject is one that interests
Us all, and any new light that can be
thrown upon this important matter
is always welcome and always in
order. With the view OF throwing
all the light upon the various move
ments that are being made to join
these islands by cable with hemain-
land, we have cuIled the following
items from our American exchanges
Of the latest dates. The San Fran
cisco Post Of May 21st says
Notwithstanding the fact that San
Francisco, as I receiving port for the
United States, Is ClO-er TO the islands,
and the greater portion OF the Hawaiian
productive interests are owned by peO-
pie OF the United States, Canada, ex-
poets to cut some figure in the Hawaiian
trade. She has agents at present at
Honolulu peTfecting arrangements for
the establishment OF cable connections
with Victoria.
These facts have been noted by the
Hawaiian people, and the island press
have made public mention Of the mat
ter, and have suggested that it would be
Z good move upon the part OF the United
States to anticipate the Canadian gov
eminent by laying cable from Homo
lulu to san Francisco. The people have
received information that the present
administration is favorable toward such
q project. Il is estimated that the total
cost OF laying 4 cable iron Honolulu to
San Francisco would not exceed 81 800,
600.
''Oi this amount it Is agreed that from
$1,000 to $500 900 can be raised on
the islands, as the value acCruing from
such q cable would justify the govern
melt Of Hawaii in contributing that
amount.
The Honolulu papers are out in col
umn editorials regarding the cable pro-
ject, and express themselves OF the opin-
ion that if the Hawaiian government will
make the initial move in the proper
direction the Americans will not be long
in raising q million dollars to carry It
through.
The building Of the Hawaiian inter
island cable by British capitalists is
claimed to be the krst step Of the Cana
dian government toward shutting off the
United States as far as practicable from
commercial intercourse With the island
government and the colonies. Upon the
completion Of the interisland cable a
scheme will be set on foot toward laying
j cable from Honolulu to Victoria.
Canadian capitalists are exerting every
influence upon the Australian colonIsts
to prevail upon them to strengthen the
commercial relationship between Canada
and the colonies"
1t will be seen from the above
that national jealousy has been
awakened on this matter Of cable |
connection with the Hawaiian Isl
ands, and as a natural sequence of
that feeling a rivalry viii assuredly
follow. This rivalry once properly /
viii evolve the question
and purpose Of whose cable viii get |
to Honolulu first; and appearances
now are that Hawaiians viii not
have to wait long for their cable. |
The San Francisco Bulletin Of May |
10Th also comments on the cable pro
iect as follows:
'fOf course the United States has
plenty Of money to spare on any legiti- /
mate undertaking, but as q business pro /
position It Is doubtful II this cable project. 1
standing alone, would pay. Hawaii /
would probably be more benefited than /
this country. In the event Of the 4
utilization Of our grant OF Pearl Harbor
as . naval station, there might be q
strategic advantage in Geographic con-
nection with such an outpost. As link
in 4 great Oceanic-cable system, how
ever, the matter s worth thinking about.
Hawaii Is the hallway house to Samoa.
Australasia and the Orient. It's certain
that sooner or later cables viii connect /
these countries. The question i. whether
they VIII focus at san Francisco or Van
c0uver. English and Canadian cauitzI
and enterprise are now considering the
subject and after s1bsidizing q Canadian
Pacific steam line It vii be a short step
.0r the British and Dominion Govern
neats 20 10 Is much for q cable. The
putting down Of line from San Fran
sisc0 20 Honolulu would determine the
zyJur Of the system 50 TAR IS this coast
: concerned, and IT'S future Development
rom Hawaii westward and soufhWzrd
would simply complete the initial plan
the United States fTovzrurueuf