New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-27
british AGENTS IN HAWAII.
nrrv POSE AS TRAVELLERS. BUT SEEM
TO HAVE THEIR EYES ON
NECKER ISLAND.
,.sr YEAR THE MOST PROSPEROUS IN THE
HISTORY OF THE IsLANDs--JAPANEsE .

HISTORY OF THE IsLANDs-JAPANEsE
STUDENTS" IN HONOLULU.
uonolulu. Jan. 10 via San Francisco. Jan. 60
Much interest is excited in this city by the recent
srr,val OF two Canadians who represent themselves
&c wealthy investors on tour through the islands
~ the Pacific. Their conversation In the clubs and
elsewhere has been mainly OF the British Pacific
cable project. and the desirability from invest
or.s point OF view of making landing for the
cable on the Hawaiian Islands. Cautiously. they
have preached the idea OF the purchase from the
Hawaiian Government OF Necker Island This is
the island unlnhabi;ed and scarcely more than a
hare rock. over which. two or three years ago. IT
MAS rumored that Great Britain about TO
raise its flag
Bv many II is believed that their character as
travellers is assumed. and that they are really
british Government agents sent out for the pur-
pose Of obtaining. If possible. committal of the
Hawaiian Government 10 a cession OF Necker ISL
and subject OF course. to the consent of the Gov
eminent OF the United States under the treaty ex-
isting with that Government.
Minister Cooper. of the Department Of Foreign
Affairs who has recently returned from visit
70 the United States. speaks in high terms Of
him in his brief interview with the Chief Executive
of the American Republic He quotes Mr.. cleveland
"a saving: II am pleased that your Republic
is putting young men to the front have been
urging that in this country. There has been too
much OF keeping men Of worth and usefulness in
the background till they become too old for Wig
orous service" He had discussion with Mr..
the United States toward Hawaii. He described his
visit TO President-eect Mckinley as very interest
ing OF considerable length. and highly satisfactory.
THE Hawaiian Gazette In its annual review
says that tho last year has been financially the
most prosperous in the history OF the islands. The
oahu Sugar Company has been organized with a
pad-up capital Of 81 5000 Public buildings. bust
ness blocks and dwellings to the value OF $4,000
have been erected. Real estate has enhanced in
value largely. The Customs House returns show
on important increase in trade during the year
The exports from the islands for the year ending
september 80, 1895. were about S6ooC0; for the
corresponding period Of 1896 they amounted TO VA
5000. four-ffths of which went to the United
etates.
this city class Of men who are designated as stu
dents" Just what they have come to study is
something Of mystery. Their presence here has
created feeling Of uneasness. which has been in
-snsjfed BY the reports which hav" come from
Washington that the japanese Legation there has
recently been engaged In gathering all the informa
ZION respecting the Islands TO he had at the Gov
eminent departments. and especially INFORMATION
respecting the mutual relations OF the United states
and the Hawaiian Government. now and in the past
II is feared that Japan is preparing Tor some ag-
cressive movement against the islands IN the event
OF the failure In the coming Admnistratloh OF the
movement for Hawaiian annexation.