Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-01-31
SPRECKELS' FINE HAND.
The Big Sugar Man Said to Be Prime
Worker in the Revolution.

throw of the Hawaiian government had been |
going on for several months and that Claus
Spreckels was a chief mover. He was the power
behind the throne in Hawaii during the greater
part OF Kalakaua's reign. A man Of affairs
who il intimately acquainted with Hawaiian
matters said yesterday:
.'Spreckels made the islands the greatest
sugar producing district in the world and he
has always felt proprietary interest in them.
Twelve years ago, when he was at the height of
his power, he dictated what he wanted and
kalaksua obeyed.
The king actually permitted Spreckels to
food the country with Mexican silver, by which
deal the sugar planter made about S25O,OOO.
out of which Kalakaua got n fat percentage. 1t
was notorious then that kalakaua could keep
no cabinet that was opposed to Spreckeis
FINALLY several rich men in Honolulu loaned
the king enough money to free him from his
heavy debts to Spreckels They obtained in
return the opium concession and other lucra-
tive monopolies which Spreckels had prevl-
ously handled.
The result was a big row between the king
and Claus Spreckels, in which kahakaua de
clared tina. he had gained his independence and
proposed to keep II, and Claus swore ne woulo
have revenge before the year was ended.
''Soon after this occurred the Wilcox revolu-
ton 81 1897. which really formidable and
was only put under by the prompt action Of
the foreigners who We're opposed to Spreckels
and in favor of retaining kalakaua-
There was much talk Of annexation then by
the Spreckels element, but il came to nothing.
What they did accomplish, however, was the
change of the constitution, stripping the king
Of many fat perquisites and the greater part OF
his power. 1t was a crushing blow to ka]akaua.
and he always attributed it to Spreckels' re-
venge.
The feeling against the king was kept alive
bv MANY intriguers enlisted in the Spreckels
interest. The best takers among the Hawaiians
were constantly haranguing public meetings
about the necessity of annexation or a republic,
and this talk finally resulted in the absurd revo
luton headed by Wilcox. which was stamped
out little over year ago.
This was regarded more as an opera bouffe
than as a genuine revolt, but it suffced to keep
agitation lively. for the government dared not
punish Wilcox and coutented itself with BAN
ishing yolvey " Ashford and several other con-
spirators.
when the new queen came into power
Spreckels at once began his old devices to Sc
cure control CT her, as be had controlled kaa-
kaua. He worked through her pocket. He IN,
duced a syndicate of schemers 10 start postal
savings bank with the backing Of the govern
ment.
The natives were encouraged to deposit their
savings in the bank, but 1t soon leaked out that
the deposits were used for publictDmprovement,
and when run began the bank couldn't pay,
/ and the government credit was ruined
This distressed the queen greatly. for she
( suddenly found herself unable to pay her pal
/ ace servants and guards. Then Spreckeis APP
peared with offers of small loans, and since then
| he has made the queen advances OF money until
she is Sl25. 900 in his debt.
In the meantime the sugar-planting indus
try fell on evil days. The old supply OF Portu
gal and South Sea Islands labor could not b.
renewed Then japanese we're imported, unit
now there are over Il, 600 Of these people work
ing in the cane fields.
3When the Mckinley bill removed the bonu
of cents per pound on Hawaiian sugar all thu
profit was swept away. 1t costs now about Ell
more to produce a ton Of sugar in Hawaii thai
il can be sold for.
'Spreckels is the heaviest stakeholder in the
Hawaiian Commercial Company. which con
trolls practically all the sugar produced on tn,
islands. The company lost over $500, 900 las
year. The stock fell in a few months from s6'
down to Il per share.
1.-The shareholders met in November ant
Spreckels submitted proposition to asses
each share Sc or to permit him to foreclose tn
first mortgage which he held on the bonds o
the company for 5000 900. The stock was hell
by many small planters
1T had been one of the bonanzas OF tn
coast, paving in seven years high as S25 Il
} dividends on each share. The stockholders de
cided to pay the assessment, but very Few cam
to the scratch. and last week nine-tenths OF tn
stock was sold for assessment and was absorbe
by Spreckels.
There is talk Of an injunction to declare tn
sale invalid but no legal action has yet bee
taken.
, ..Nox here comes the milk in the cocoanut G
the revolution II the United States can be In
duced to annex the islands this Hawaiian Con
mercial Company will jump from 10 cents
Sl5 share within q week, and every sugs
/, planter on the islands will see an immediat
. increase Of 20 per cent In the value OF the car
e 6e.ds and sugar mile.
The moment annexation goes into ehet
| Hawaii becomes vital part OF this counfr
and every pound of sugar produced on Il
i islands receives 2 cents bounty. This amour
r TO the fat sum of $40 per ton and represents
N good profit to the planters.
lis it any wonder tina. Claus Spreckels, ha
ing engin.e cred the gigantic deal by which
u and his association have wrecked ana then
e sorbed the Hawaiian Commercial Compan
: should now desire to put the finishing tout
70 the deal by securing annexation to q
r. United States.
= .'By it they will rake in 5000 600 on the
/; crease in value of the companys stock al
N millions year on sugar bountles. HIS oV
!. extensive plantations will be converted from
er losing TO paying business, and trade with =
pf islsnds. the transportation Of which he CO
"A trOls. will be vastly increased.
10 Take il ali around. annexation viii put IN
an Spreckeis own pockets not lees than SIC, 600,
- in cash, larger sum than he cleaned up by
i. shrewd opposition to the sugar trust and
N final selling out to that big monopoly"
m The men who are mentioned Sprecke
II associates in this scheme are Bishop, Irwin q
Damon. all influential Hawaiian capitals
~ Bishop owns the largest banking business
- the Islands and Damon is his manager.
40 Damon figured as one Of the advisory CO.
ne mittee of the new government Irwin IL now
on Washington. having been sent on recently
w. carry through the Annexation negotiations u
he were first preached by Judge Harswen nearl.
he year ago.
- The Hawaiian consulate there as well "a
o. State Department knew this revolution '
coming more than month ago, and so
Minister Stevens in Honolulu and Comman,
Witt OF the cruiser Boston.
mt The real reason why Wiitze and Stevens
Iii fused for one week to order search for so
m American eastaNsys in November was that
IN. revolution would come to a head while the 3
ton was away.
req Steven carried out his idea in this revolut
IN by calling on wiltze to investigate affairs,
if he deemed il necessary. TO land marines.
ron course. Willie reported that American life
ely property we're endangered and promptly q
uId marines ashore, whose presence endangered
too queens hopes Of making any head against
foreigners.
wal When the annexation question comes up c
; 10 gress viii have to investigate Stevens
uc- Wiltze Another man who has suddenly
on peared in Washington, ard who will have N
in 10 do with the Hawaiian business, il Il
be- Teyis, the ex-president of Wells, Fargo 4
,t.ss .o..t nd thu boxa fat af Z