The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1894-10-12
Certain Propositions Made by Him
to this Government.
WANTS AN EXCLUSIVE LANDING.
This He VIII Not Get-A Clever Dipio-
mat With Him I'm the Scheme
President Dole Said to be Hasten
ing Home to Meet the Delegates

The presence in this city of MIR. San
ford Fleming and the Importance at
tached thereto was first spoken of in
the ADVERTISER last Tuesday. At
that time only surmises could be given
for only one or two people knew the
cause for his visit, and they were
pledged to secrecy for diplomatic reR-
sons. 1t was known that he came as
a representative of the Dominion of
Canada, in the interest of that project,
dear to all residents on this island,
namely, the Pacific Cable, but the
propositions he had to make, and the
manner in which this Government
had received them, were shrouded in
mystery.
Mr.. Fleming is accompanied on this
trip by Mr.. n. 81. Mercer. At first 1t
was surmised that the latter was only
the travelling companion of the gen.
tleman from Canada, but it is now
known that both are interested in the
project under discussion. Mr.. Mercer
is an English barrister, and is con-
nected with the foreign office in Eng
land. He is skilled diplomatist and
was selected for this mission because
of his experience in other affairs of q
similar nature.
Mr.. Sanford Fleming, on the other
hand, is a delegate from Great Britain,
sent by the Canadian Government
with the sanction of the home office.
The gentlemen bear relations to
one another, and relations to this
~
those of Commissioner Blount and
Mr.. Mills. The former, it will be re-
membered, represented the admins
tration of the United States and the
latter the State Department.
So, Mr.. Fleming represents Cana
dian interests (Which will be the
greatest in this cable), while Mr.. Mer-
Ger is to watch out for the home flee
at London.
Commissioner Blount acted for some
time here while Minister Stevens re-
mained in his official capacity, the
former being on special mission.
And so with Mr., Fleming. He in no
manner interferes with Mr.. Hawes,
the acting British missioner, but
is busy on a special errand.
This errand as has already been
told is in connection with the land
ing here of the cable. Now as to the
conditions.
The proposition made by the gen.
tlemen in the first instance was that
the Pacific cable have a landing place
at. Honolulu to the exclusion OF any
other line. In return for this fran
chise the Government of Hawaii
should be given certain privileges.
1t can be said that this will not be
agreed to, nor has it been given seri-
Gus consideration for moment. To
give the exclusive right of landing to
the Canadian cable would be to bar
out the United States in case that
country should wish to lay line and
that this Government will not do,
even if the cable does not touch here.
II is understood that a second pro-
position was made to Alr. Hatch, that
Hawaii cede Neckar Island to Eng
land for a cable landing station, and
that branch line be established from
that place to Honolulu, this PROPOSE
ton not carrying with it any special
privileges.
And il can be said that this propO-
ton is under consideration. There
seems, however, to be a bar in the
way to the granting of this, for the
treaty with the United States especial
ly provides that none of the Hawaiian
Islands shall be ceded to any foreign
power. Some argue, however, that
Neckar Island was taken possession Of
| after the treaty was signed, and there
| fore does not come within the provis-
| ions; others say the clause in the In
| ternational document is so broad as TO
embrace any lands acquired as well as
| those already in possessions; while
still others aver that Necker Island
| has always been considered by the
| United States as one of the group, and
| therefore was included in the treaty.
Mr.. Fleming and his propositions
| were taken under advisement by the
| Councils in executive session yester.
day afternoon, and the pros and cons
were thoroughly discussed. The plan
| of the delegates that exclusive rights
for landing purposes be granted was at
| once set one side as not to be thought
OF. AS to ceding Neckar Island that
was considered impossible, but q
number of members thought it might
| be practicable to lease this place TO
the Dominion of Canada for long
term of years.
Il is said in Government circles and
stated by one who is authority that
| Presiddnt Dole has been advised OF
the arrival of Messrs. Fleming and
Mercer and asked TO shorten his visit
to HilO. These people aver that the
chief executive will return on Satur-
day.