Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-05-06
THE HAW Allan CABLE
Report of the Committee Submitted to the
Senate
Benefits to Accrue to the United States
Set Forth Mt Some
Length.

The Senate committee on foreign relations
today agreed to a compromise bill for a
cable to Hawaii and Japan. The bill au-
thoriZes the Postmaster General to enter
into contract on behalf of the United
States with any company which may lay
the cable, to pay subsidy not exceeding
100000 per year. The bill had the support
of Senator Morgan and of all the repub-
lican members of the committee. The
other democratic Senators, Messrs. Gray,
Turpie, Daniel and Mills, opposed the bill.
Senator Frye reported the action of the
committee to the Senate, and in the report
says that cable to Hawaii is demanded by
the exigencies of commerce.
He recites the fact that while other ma
items have been acquiring islands in the
Pacific, Hawaii. by common consent, has
been left to the United States. Reference
is also made to the Importance of Pearl
harbor, and the necessity of having tele-
graphic communication with the islands in
case of war to handle the Pacific fleet. 1t
is also said that this is a favorable oppor
tunlty to secure Geographic communication
not only with Hawaii, but also with Japan,
nose system connects with other coun-
tries of the orient. This. says the report
is brought within reach upon terms that re-
lieve the United States from the first cost
ana risk OF maintenance, as well as from
the aspects of commercial venture.
The price is limited for private messages
10 Japan to almost one-third what is now
charged, while communication with Hawaii
is provided at 10 cents per word more than
the price which competition had established
Tor messages crossing the Atlantic. This
oportunlty the committee credits to Col
Spalding's Hawaiian concession.
Inc report dwellS upon both the economic
and strategetic Importance of the cable
referring to the latter point it says: 1.-THE
extent to which the interests Of the ra-
ton as such are involved may be seen by
the effect that every Geographic cable now
crossing the Atlantic from North America
mas Its starting point in Nova Scotia. In
the event of any severance of peaceful re-
latlonS with Great Britain communication
by that channel would, of course be i'm
medlateiy, as 1t were automa tically closed
and this country be dependent for tele-
graphic commur ications upon cables cross
ing the Atlantic from Brazil to Portugal,
with all the contingencies that situation
would involve"
The committee say the cost of the cable
would be $4,000, and that the interest of
the expenditure would amount to s136O0O,
while the total cost of maint enance would
amount to S5S6,OO0 per year for the first
five years.
The committee say that the bill has bsen
made to provide that the arrangement shall
be by contract with the United States
through the Postmaster General. and the
lowest bidder. and shall be completed and
continue under the supervision of that Of
ficer. The contract relation is believed to
secure to the United States better control
than a mere grant would do,While it is ac-
cepte1 by the committee giving the
grant an increased aspect of stability.