The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-03-09
4 CABLE TO HAWAII.
will Be Constructed in Spite
Of Grover Cleveland.
AND NOT BY ENGLAND. EITHER.
American and Japanese Capitalists Co
operating WIN Hawaii. and Rus
MA and France Are Iuterested.s

WASHINGTON City. March A-when con-
gress failed 10 provide for building the
Hawaiian cable II by no means ended the
question On the contrary, there has
been brought forward project of inter-
national Importance by which Russia,
France. Japan and Hawaii WITH join in an
American enterprise for laying Q cable
from the United States to Hawaii and
thence TO Japan. with branch cables TO
the French islands and extensive naval
stations In the South Pacific. The nego-
tiations with these governments has Pre-.
ceefed quietly but with such satisfactory
results that they are well along toward
completion A number OF conferences
have been held with the oficiais Of the
japanese legation here, and several
phases OF the subject are now under ne
gofiation between Tokyo and Washington
City. Minister Kurino il much interested
In the project 1t II probable that five or
six OF the most influential and wealthy
Japanese mefchants will be named among
the tucDrporators.
France has been interested, and In the
course Of the negotiations she has made
suggestion to Hawaii to the effect that
the French interests win be better sub
served by having the cable via the United
States instead of Vancouver, which would
be controlled by Great Britain. The chief
interest of France Is In securing cable
0I0ef
Pacific possessions and with her naval
rendezvous. which is now cut a. from
communication.
Hussfa's interests In the project are Re-
garded as even more important than
those of Japan or France. Russia - able
communication with the Western hemis-
phere Is now eastward through Londen
or Paris. and this altering of all her news
ana official messages through London IN
particular has long been a source Of irri-
tation. The Russian imperial family al
ready have a cable from Vladivostock
the easteriy point OF Siberia, TO Japan, so
the new line would give Russia through
cable communication eastward instead of
through London or Paris The military
and strategic importance of this is very
great. for. should Russia be arrayed
against the triple alliance she could not
communicate westward to the outer world.
but could always maintain communica-
ton eastward to the United States and to
France. Hawaii Is also interested In the
enterprise. as she regards it as prac-
teal realization of her efforts TO commun-
icate with the outer world.
The United States congress failed to
act. and II also declined to vacate the
treaty In order TO let Great Britain build
the cable. Under these circumstances the
new enterprise. with Russia. France and
Japan joining, has commended itself to
Minister Thurston. the Hawaiian min
ister. and to other leading men Of Hawaii
The foregoing governs the international
scope OF the enterprise. The American
branch is on a similarly broad line. Ad-
miral John Irwin, u. S. N. who wrote
the cable report when In command of our
fleet in Hawaii. and Gen. Keystone
are principally interested in the
enterprise In Washington City. With
them are President Alvord, of the Bank
of California; John D. Sprecke,s. son of
Claus Spreckels; Herman Oelrichs, and
other millionaire capitalists. Besides these
there will be the several wealthy Japan
ese capitalists heretofore mentioned.
Negotiations are In progress which
cannot be made public. by which
financial house known the world over
will be among the projectors
The principal work or organization Is
being consnmmated here in Washington
City. 'fae only question at present is
whether the incorporation shall be under
the state laws of New York, New Jersey
Maryland. Virginia or California. Their
advantages are being compared and the
incorporation will be under the state laws
| most favorable. An effort was made a
few days ago. before congress expired to
secure national incorporation. but It
was denied as 1t threatened at the time
cable project then In conference
| committee. 1t was not known
| at that time that France, Russia,
| Japan and Hawaii were interested in the
! project. But the failure to secure ma
1 tionai charter has In no way checked the
| enterprise. The organization will be I'M
| der one of the state laws as heretofore
/ stated, and the arrangements are so far
| along that the filing of the articles of in
| corporation will be during the present
| month. The contamination of the plans
| which are now made known for the first
| time cannot fail TO arouse keen interest
| in Great Britain and throughout Europe
The British project of a cable starting
| from Vancouver appearA TO be ended with
| the failure Of the senate to modify our
| treaty with Hawaii so as TO let the
| British cable land on Necker island. The
| only recourse for Great Britain would be
| to induce Hawaii to break this treaty OBJ
! legation with the United States. but II
| Is known positively this vii: not be done
| Instead. therefore.of 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