The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-10-27

SAN FRsxcTsco. Oct A-S2nafori Faeru-
ing. commissioner from tue Canadian gov
eminent 10 Hawaii N the interest OF the
proposed Ganadian-Auss-ssian cable. ar
rived here on the steamer Alameda today.
In an interview he spoke freely Of his mis-
sion 20 the Pacific island. whittier he was
accompanied by W. II. Mercer. Of. the
colonial ONCE in London- Mr.. Fleming
declared that there vas nothing secret
about their mission. The governments CT
Canada and Australia. he said, have re-
solved TO lay Pacific cable There are
number Of islands in the possession o.
Great Britain between Austrsiia aud
Canada. across which the cable might Re
stretched rs stepping stones across the
ocean. he mentioned the Solomon. Gill
bert and Fit groups, and Norfolk and
Tanning islands. With stations a. these
points there would be no absolute neces-
sity for landing the cable on islands which
are not British. However, the project
ors of the enterprise appreciate the
business considerations which make IL
essential that any Pacific cable shalt
touch 81 the islands of Samoa and Hawaii.
Samoa il is proposed TO reach by short
branch from Fiji. 1t would not be pos
sible TO connect Hawaii from the nearest
mid-ocean station at Tanning island,
which is over 500 miles distant from Homo
lulu. To avoid this long waste OF cable 1t
was deemed necessary 10 obtain route
nearer the Hawaiian group. To secure the
necessary concessions from Hawaii was
the mission OF Messrs. Fleming and Mer-
Ger 10 the islands. Concerning the meas
ure of their success, Mr.. Fleming said:
If the Hawaiian government evinced
any desire 10 meet US, se were instructed
10 open negotiations and 10 point out how
and on what terms the Haw allan people
could secure the advantages OF tele-
graphic service. After q number of inter-
views with the principal officials OF the
Hawaiian government cordial under
standing was reached, and before our de-
parture we left with them a memorandum
of agreement, the terms OF which We are
prepared 10 recommend to those whom
We represent. We did not ask them to
cede any island or any portion OF Ha-
ask was that they should lease to
US Bird, Necker or some other
uninhabitated island outside the main
group, probably 800 or 400 miles from Hon.
oluiu, TO DC used as a telegraph mid-ocean
station only. From thence branch line
would be run to Honolulu. We asked for
no exclusive rights for Geographic connec-
ton. but we proposed. if given a saiisiac-
tory lease of one of these islets and sub
sidy of SIS, 900 for fifteen years to establish
and MAINTAIN connection with the nearest
cable station on the American coast. our
charges from Honolulu TO be l shilling q
word for ordinary messages, . pence a
word for government messages, tand 8
pence for press messages The arrange
ment is, OF course. subject to the approval
of ali the governments concerned, and
may mention that the United States has
something TO say in the matter. By the
terms of Hawaii's treaty OF reciprocity
with the United States, Hawaii is forbid
den To grant to any other power any lease
OF or lien upon any portion OF Hawaiian
territory. 1t Is quite understood that the
first step of the Hawaiian government will
be to appeal to Washington City for assent
TO grant the privileges which We ask. No
difficulty is anticipated"
1t is understood that Messrs. Fleming
and Mercer will proceed to Washington
City 10 urge their cause. That their in
vestigations were made by authority of the
British government there is no doubt. At
Honolulu III. NJ. S. Hyacinthe was at their
service. Accompanied by the British min
lister, they were taken on the Hyacinthe to
inspect Bird island and make the neces-
sary soundings in the vicinity.
The Alameds brought no news from
Honolulu later than that received by the
Amelia at Port Townsend.