The record-union., 1895-01-10
Special to the RECoRD-UNIoy

tull of interest, inasmuch as it reveals a
notable difference Of opinion between
Admiral Walker and United States
Minister Willis regarding the necessity
of keeping United States warships at
Honolulu as long as the British Govern
ment keeps man-of-war there. In the
second place. it discloses that an effort is
being made by the British Government,
with the consent of the Hawaiian author
tiles, to secure the lease cf an island of
the Hawaiian group to be used as cable
station.
With the correspondence the President
sent this message:
10 the SeIe0te and House of Represent
dttOeS: l. submit herewith certain dis
patches from our Minister at Hawaii and
documents which accompanied the same.
1hey disclose the fact that the Hawaiian
government desires to lease to Great
Britain one of the uninhabited islands
belonging to Hawaii as a station for
submarine telegraph cable to be laid from
Canada to Aus ralIa, with connection
between the island leased and Honolulu.
Both the Government of Hawaii and the
representative OF Great Britain in this
negotiation concede that the proposed
lease cannot be effected without the con-
sent OF the United States for the reason
King OF hawaii he agreed that as long
as the same treaty remained in force he
would not lease or otherwise dispose of,
or create any lien upon, any port, har-
Dor or other territory in his dominion,
or grant any special privilege or rights of
use therein to any other State or Govern
luent.
At the request of the Hawaiian Govern
ment this subject is laid before Congress
Tor It's determination upon the question
OF so modifying the treaty agreement
above recited as to permit the proposed
lease.
1t will be seen the correspondence
which is submitted between Hawaii and
the British negotiators negatives the eX-
lstence on the part of Hawaii of any sus-
plclon OF British triendliness or fear of
British aggression.
The attention OF Congress is directed to
the following statement contained in the
communication addressed 10 the Ha-
Wallan Government by the representa-
tiveS of Great Britain: "We propose to
inform the British Government of your
inquiry whether they will accept the
sovereignty of Necker Island or some
other unlnhabited island, on condition
that no subsidy is required from you.
AS we explained, we have not felt at lib
erty to entertain that question ourselves
as we were definitely instructed not to
ask for the sovereignty of any island, but
only TOR lease, simply for the purpose
OF a cable"
Some of the dispatches from our Min
lister, which are submitted, not only refer
TO the project for leasing an uninhabited
island belonging to Hawaii, but certain
interesting information concerning the
recent occurrences in that country and its
political and social condition.
This information is valuable, because it
Is based upon observation and knowledge
necessarily within the scope of diplo-
matte duties, which are intruSted solely
TO the charge OF this intelligent diplo-
matlc officer representing the United
States Government at Hawaii.
hope Congress will see tit to grant the
request OF the Hawaiian Government and
our consent TO the proposed lease be ac-
corded. 1t seems we ought not by the
refusal OF the request stand in the way of
the advantages TO be gained by isolated
Hawaii through telegraphic communica-
ton with the rest OF the world, and espe-
cially IN view of the fact that our own
communication with that country would
thereby be so improved without apparent
detriment to any legitimate American in
terests.
THE CORRESPONDENCE.
On December Sd the cable proposition
seems TO have taken full shape, for on
that date Mr.. Willis writes concerning
his former reference to the subject, and
stating that the Hawaiian Government
Is of the opinion that il is stopped from
considering the proposition of the British
Commissioners by Article of the
reciprocity treaty between Hawaii and
our Government. He adds: This mat
ter is now, therefore, at the request of
this Government, submitted to the con-
slderatlon OF our Government upon the
question of its willingness to nuIlify the
treaty OF reciprocity by eXempting
Necker Island, French ErgaLe Shoals
or NIhOa Bird 1sland) from the opera
ton of Article of the treaty, which
reads as follows: 1T is agreed ON the part
of his Hawaiian Majesty that as long as
this treaty shall remain in force, he will
not lease, nor otherwise dispose of, nor
create any lien upon any port, harbor or
other territory in his dominions, nor
grant any special privileges or rights
OF use therein TO any other power In
this connection l inclose copies of note
of Mr.. Hatch, Minister of Foreign At
fairs, and of correspondence between
him and the Commissioners
In the note to which Mr.. Willis refers
from Mr.. Hatch the latter explains that
the British propositions involve the use
of one of the uninhabited Islands belong
ing to the republic, viz: Necker Island,
French Frigate Shoals or Nihoa Bird
Islandl, as a cable station, in considera-
ton of such use and of such subsidy as
might be agreed upon and the connection
OF honolulu to the main line by branch
of the island which might he selected.
The Minister expatiates at great length
upon the Importance OF the proposed
cable to Hawaii and recites the fact that
the Government has in times past offered
considerable subsidies, in one case
amounting to S25, 900 per annum and the
exclusive right for fifteen years to secure
such a cable. The opportunity now Of
tered he says, is one to which his
country cannot be Indifferent, If it can be
TAX en- up consistently with the treaty obli-
gatlons and if no more desirable scheme
is presented. AS the proposition is one
in which the British Government Is di-
rectly or Indirectly interested, Mr..
Hatch says the Hawaiian Government
feels itself stopped by our reciprocity
treaty from considering it until the views
of our Government can be- ascertained
Inclosed in Mr.. Hatch's note is letter
to Messrs Fleming and Mercer, the Ca
madam and British Commissioners, trans
mitting a copy of the memorandum of
agreement touching the cable. These
gentlemen say they presume Mr.. Hatch
will bring the proposed agreement to the
attention of the United States Govern
ment, and ascertain whether 1t will give
its consent. They hope the Washington
Government will be able TO do this upon
proper representations.
They endeavor TO show the advantages
that Would accrue to the United States
from direct cable communication with
Honolulu, and exceedingly low rates to
Australia, all without contributing TO the
capital required for the cable or the
heavy subsidies necessary for its opera
tion.
1t is said that the United States Gov