The Hawaiian gazette., 1897-09-24
w. G. Irwin is Now w ork-
ing for Annexation.
Spreckels Wants Governments
Friendship A Story Sent
to California.

dispatch was sent from here yes
terdav BY a correspondent of a San
Francisco paper which, if true, means
much for the cause Of annexation The
purport of the dispatch was TO the eff
feet that since William G. Irwin had
recovered. he has been busily engaged
irving TO win Claus Spreckels over TO
the cause of annexation
1t is generally understood that the
Sugar Trust is against annexation ana
that the quiet influence OF that bouy
will be brought into active play among
the Senators between now and Deem
Der. so that if the ratification OF the
treaty is not killed it will at least be
DELAYED. If the trust can be won over,
then the passage of the treaty will be
a calm one. W. G.. Irwin, like Con-
gresham Berry, has indications that
way" and while his interests are al
most identical with those OF Mr..
Spreckels, the latter has not been an
tagonistic 10 Mr. Irwin in his wishes
in this respect The story sent on yes
terday says that Mr.. Spreckels is will
ing to withdraw the opposition of the
trust 10 annexation, provided the Ha-
waiian Government will cease its ami
mostly 10 the Spreckels' interests on
the Islands.
The letter containing the informa-
ton is said 10 have been received here
BY the last steamer, and contained,
further. the information that since Mr..
Twins recovery he had been most as
siduous in his efforts 10 patch up a
truce between the Government and the
representative of, if not its actual,
strongest opponent. II is just possible
that the story emanated from pipe,
as the Hawaiian Government has
shown 10 yindicativeness to Mr..
Spreckels in his interests here. An
other thirg, it is generally understood
that AR. Spreckels' actual interests in
Hawaii have not amounted TO very
much since 1898. when through pique
at the Government for the promptness
in which a little Indebtedness of $685.
600 was IiQuidated by Minister Damon
he decided 10 leave the country. Short
" after that time it was announced
that ne had distributed all of his prop
erty on the Islands TO his children.
The fight of the Government against
the 5. s. China's register, while in no
way prompted by friendship for Mr..
Spreckels or his steamship interests,
may. perhaps, have had its influence
on the multi-milionaire sugar baron,
for the granting of such register
would be giving TO a rival line the
privileges, which under the present
condition Of affairs, and in the event of
l., ! l. -
Spreckels company. 1t will be remem-
bered that half a dozen years ago,
when the passage on the China steam
ers was no higher than on the others,
those vessels were selected by tourists
in preference to the Oceanic Line for
several reasons. Mr.. Spreckels notified
the Pacific Mail Company that unless
they gave up the Island business he
would establish a competing line be-
tween San Francisco and China and
Japan ports. Instead of giving up the
business outright a compromise was
made, whereby the rates on the China
vessels was increased and no freights
taken. This agreement has continued
in force since then, so far as the rates
OF passage are concerned.
AS was stated, the Government is
showing no animosity toward Mr..
Spreckels for his anti annexation
views or for his attitude toward the
Island Government, and if he is will
ing to withdraw the opposition of the
trust, thereby practically assisting the
annexation cause, the Government ard
the people viii be glad to learn of the
change Of affairs-if il is true.