The Washington times., 1895-03-10


ing the Hawaiian cable it by no means
ended the question. On the contrary, it
has brought forward project of inter-
national importance by which Russia,
France. Japan, and Hawaii will join in an
American enterprise for laying a cable from
the United States 10 Hawaii, and thence to
Japan, with branch cables to the French
Islands and extensive naval station in the
Southern Pacific.
The negotiations with these governments
have proceeded quietly. but with such satis-
factory results that they are well along
toward completion. A number of conferences
have been held with the officials OF the
japanese Legation here. and several phases
of the subject are now under negotiation
between Toxic and Washington. Minister
Kurino is much interested in the project. 1t
is probable that five or six of the most in
huential and wealthy japanese merchants
will be named among the incorporators.
France has also been interested, and in the
course of the negotiations she has made q
significant suggestion to Hawaii 10 the effect
that French interests will be better subserved
by having the cable 60 via the United States
be controlled by Great Britain. The chief
interest of France is in securing cable con-
nections with Tahiti and her other Pacific
possessions and with her naval rendezvous
which is now cut off from communication.
RUssIA's INTERESTS.
Russia's interests in the project are re-
garded as even more important than those Of
Japan or France. Russia's cable commune
cation with the western hemisphere is now
westward through London or Paris, and this
flltering of all her news and official messages
through London in particular has long been
a source OF Irritation. The Russian imperial
family already have cable from Yladiyos-
tock, the westerly point of Siberia, to japan,
SO that the new line would give Russia
through cable communication eastward in
stead OF through London or Paris.
The military and strategic importance of
this is very great, for should Russia be ar
rayed against the triple alliance she could
not communicate eastward TO the outer
world, but could always maintain communi-
cation eastward to the United States and TO
France.
Hawaii is also interested in the enterprise.
as she regards it as a practical realization OF
her efforts 10 communicate with the outer
world. The United States Congress failed TO
act and ii also declined TO vacate the treaty
Under these circumstances the new enter
prise, with Russia, France, and Japan ioin-
ing has commended itself to Minister Thurs
ton, the Hawaiian minister, and TO other
leading men of Hawaii.
The foregoing gives the International
scope of the enterprise. The American
branch is on similarly broad lines. Admiral
John Irwin, {. S. N, who wrote the notable
report when in command OF our fleet in
Hawaii, and Gen. Roy Stone are principally
interested in the enterprise in Washington.
AMERICAN 71ILLIoSAIREs COMING IN.
Withthem are associated President Alvord,
of the Bank of California, and the vice-presi-
dent of the bank; also the president and vice.
president OF the San Francisco Chamber of
Commerce John ID. Spreckles, son of Claus
Spreekles: Herman 0elrichs. sou-in-law of
the late Senator Fair, and other millionaire
capitalists. Beside these. there will be sew
eral of the wealthy japanese capitalists here
tofore mentioned. Negotiations are also in
progress which can not now be made public.
by which a financial Eouse known the world
over will be among the projectors.
The principal work of organization is
being eonsummated here in Washington,
The only question at present is whether the
incorporation shall be under the State laws
of New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Nir-
ginia, or California. Their advantages are
being compared, and the incorporation will
be under the State laws most favorable.
An effort was made few days before Con-
gress expired to secure a national incorpo-
ration but il was denied as it threatened at
that time to be harmful to the government
cable project then in conference committee.
1t was not made known at that time that
France, Russia. Japan, and HAWAII were in
terested IN the project. But the failure to
secure a national charter has in no way
checked the enterprise.
ARTICLES WILL SOON BE FILED.
The organization will be under one of the
State laws, as heretofore stated, and the ar
rangements are SO far along that the fling Of
the articles of incorporation will be during
the present month.
The contamination of these plans which
are now made known for the first time can
not fail TO arouse keen interest in Great Brit
ain and throughout Europe. The British
project of q cable starting from Vancouver
appears to be ended with the failure of the
Senate 10 so modify our treaty with Hawaii
as to let the British cable land at Neckar Is
land. The only recourse for Great Britain
would be TO induce Hawaii to break this
treaty obligation with the United States. but
it is known positively that this will not be
done.
Instead, therefore, of a British cable across
the Pacific, as has long seemed imminent,
France. Russia, Japan and Hawaii are now
uniting with American enterprise to execute
this work of vast commercial and military
importance.