Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-10-27
The Fidelity Of the Hawaiian Republic to TIT
United States.

nation OF considerable importance ana
show the value of the political events in
Hawaii the pasttwo or three years. Ameri-
cans who rightly understand what relations
the Hawaiian Islands bear to the great
commercial interests of the United States
in the North Pacific, cannot fail to appre-
ciate how desirable it is to have q govern
ment at Honolulu in complete sympathy
with Americans and American political in
stitutions. So long as the royal palace OF
Hawaii was in the possession of those whose
prejudices and political affinities caused them
to have longing look on London instead OF
Washington, and the British Minister was
more welcome guest than the Minister
of the United States, or Of any other re-
public, there were more or less real impedl-
ments to complete friendly relations be-
tween the Hawaiian government and the
government Of the United States. The
coming to power Of the republican govern
ment at Honolulu has changed all this, and
none better understand it than those
British agents who are familiar with the
facts. The following by the latest mail
steamer from Hawaii tends to strongly con-
firm the truth which we state above:
The United Press correspondent at Homo
lulu, writing under date Of October 10,
says:
1.-TWO commissioners recently arrived at
Honolulu for the purpose of negotiating
with the Hawaiian government for conces-
sions for projected cable between British
Columbia and Australia. They were San
ford Fleming, representing Canada, and
Mr.. Mercer of the British foreign office.
Yesterday special conference with the
government took place. One of the prop
ositions concerned the possible occupation
of Neckar leland as q cable station. They
also discussed with the government the
question of concessions for landing cable
near Honolulu. The attitude of the govern
ment in replying to the commissioners was
adverse to making special concessions of
any sort, owing to prior exclusive treaty en-
gagements with the United States. Their
position was stated by leading member of
the government last night as follows:
We are positively bound by our treaty Of
reciprocity with tine United States not to
make any concessions whatever of land or
of special rights to any other government
whatsoever; we are not at liberty to lease
Ind to the British government for any pur-
pose. We wish to be extremely scrupulous
about tbis so that there can be no pretext
for the United States abrogating this treaty.
The British government can lease land of
private parties for cable purposes, but they
can have no specill privileges. They can
not make q cable station at Neckar Island,
as that is government property. There are
no available islets in the chain to which
Hawaii has not established claim. Some
have not been formally occupied. as the
islets form natural continuation of the
group. But England does not contest our
rights in them and the United States has
fully recognized these rights.
Commissioner Fleming last evening WIS.,
tied a man who was employed in the survey
department in 1885 for the purpose of gain
ing information about Bird Island and its
adaptability as cable station. He learned
that il is rather barren rock $50 miles
from Honolulu, with an area of about 300
acres. A cable landing could be made on
this island, but rain water would have to be
secured in tanks, there being none on the
island. Ii would be impossible to create q
coaling station owing TO the height of the
cliffs above the landing the steepness OF
the ground. lack Of anchorage for lighters
and unusual roughness of the sea. There
is strong ground for the opinion that the
commissioners do not really desire to oc'
cupy any western islet as a cable station
but decidedly prefer Honolulu if they can
secure especial concessions. There seems
to be no doubt that England will be COM
PEELED to adopt Oahu az her coaling station
The British steamer Hyacinthe sailed thi:
morning for Bird Island to make sounding'
and examine landings for possible coaline
station.
The following from a London newspaper
and cable dispatch from Canada, show
plainly how the British mind interprets the
fact that the existing government of Homo
lulu is firmly holding the fort for the Uni
ted States against all hostile corners:
Hawaii 0u.manocuvres England.
London, Oct. 23.--Referring to Hawaii's
refusal to allow the use OF Neckar island
as a landing station for the British Pacific
Cable, THE Post" will say tomorrow:
The English policy in the Pacific never
has been success. Now we have to hum
BILE ourselves to the Sandwich Islands
Whether the colonies knew that Neckal
Island was Hsw allan territory or not wheI
they sent their messages to the colonial sec
rotary in London, they committed grea
blunder in mskipg them public. 1t is large
" due 70 the unusual course of the COLONIES
that we are placed in this unfortunate posi-
ton. At the same time, we cannot agree
with the part Lord Rosebery played. By
not opening negotiations until the question
was debated at Ottawa, the premier shovel
his hand. Maybe the United States, o.
whom Hawaii appears to be the vassal
would grant permission to purchase the
island but the United States might user
unacceptable conditions. which might also
conflict with the opinion Of the Ottawa gov
IA - - IL