The record-union., 1897-06-10
Have Decided to Fight Claus Spreck
els and His Steamship Line.
Even if the Treaty is Not Disturbed,
Proposition is on Foot to ship
All Sugar Raised in the Islands
Direct to New York or Philadelphia,
to be Sold in the Open Market.

though the sugar planters of this coun-
try have decided to fight Claus Spreck-
els. the Oceanic Steamship Company,
which is controlled by Spreckels, and
the sugar trust.
The cause of their Independent action
is traced to r. P. Rithet, the wealthy
shipowner, and a member of the firm
of Welch & Co. of San Francisco, a
house which is very much interested in
Hawaiian sugar.
Mr. Rithet has been in Honolulu but
a week, and in that time he has made
several propositions which We're re-
ceived with favor by the owners of
plantations.
One proposition, it is understood, is to
establish a refinery at Vancouver, b.
c., in case the reciprocity treaty is
abrogated The Canadian Government
is willing to make a concession to Ha-
wall in return for her business. The
Canadian Pacific Railway will furnish
special terms for transportation to the
Atlantic seaboard, the proper market,
in case the refinery project is carried
out
In case the treaty is not interfered
with all sugar raised in this country
will be shipped to New York or Phila-
delphia 1t will be sold in open market,
according to a planter, to the trust or
anyone who will purchase. This is
where the fight against Mr.. Spreckels
will be effective. The raw sugar now
handled at San Francisco will have to
be secured in other countries more dis
tant than Hawaii. If the Hawaiian
output is shipped around the Horn there
will be no need for the large sailing fleet
now plying between San Francisco and
Honolulu. The withdrawal of the sail
ing vessels will result in an opposition
steamer line to Honolulu.
The proposed line will be backed by
Hawaiian planters and merchants. This
project is aimed at Mr.. Spreckels also.
In speaking of the situation, J. B.
Atherton, one of the foremost men in
Hawaii, said: 1--WE have talked over
matters as they now stand, and dis
cussed plans for the future in the
event of the abrogation of the treaty
or the passage of the tariff bill as it
now appears. Our contract with Mr..
Spreckels expires December 31st, this
year, and we wish to find a market for
our sugar The terms which it is said
Mr.. Spreckels will demand for next year
are unreasonable, and it is probable
that all of the Hawaiian sugar will be
shipped to New York In this case we
will require more sugar vessels, and
they must be arranged for. Between
now and January next many things
may happen that would change what
ever plans we may have in view now.
The amount of our sugar used in
be worth while shipping it there. Half
the output goes to New York-say 100,-
600 tons-the balance goes to San Fran
cisco and of that about threefourths
is consumed in the State; the rest is
shipped to Nevada, Idaho and Colo
RADIO There are refineries elsewhere
than in San Francisco to which we may
ship. There's New York, Philadelphia,
Boston or st. Louis. We may arrange
to send to any of them, but really moth
ing definite has been done. 1t would
not surprise me if between now and the
expiration of our contract half a dozen
buyers would be in Honolulu to bid for
our crop. The idea that we will build
a refinery is preposterous.
From another source it was given out
that the rate demanded by Mr.. Spreck-
els for handling Hawaiian sugar under
a new deal is three-eighths of one cent
per pound, an increase of a quarter over
the present. Rather than meet such a
demand the Hawaiian planters will ship
their sugar to New York independently.
OF course this would not include any of
the sugars produced on plantations con-
trolled by the Spreckels combination.
But to successfully carry out this would
necessitate the locking up of funds
necessary and thus pass dividends.
The object of Mr.. Rithet's visit is
said to be to provide ways and means
for such a campaign. and possibly to
arrange for a representative in New
York of the Hawaiian planters-some
one who will look after the sugar
Whatever has been the mission of Mr..
Rithet, the planters appear to be jubi-
liant. 1t is said they are preparing for
the abrogation of the treaty. an event
which up to a week ago seemed to be
the most disastrous that could happen
TO the country. While Mr.. Atherton
states that not single detail has been
completed, the countenances of the
plantation agents would indicate salts
factory results.
japanese Minister SnlnfdInuTd mas
had several talks with Minister Cooper
during the present week. 1t is under
stood that the Japanese representative
has changed his attitude somewhat
and has made proposals of more rea-
sonable nature. At first the demand
was for indemnity for the total amount
of immigrants turned away from these
shores. Now it is understood Japan is
willing to accept damages only in cases
where men We're Illegally rejected. The
Hawaiian Government will accept the
proposition. The original demand was
for 320.60 yen for every man turned
back. Among the thousand or more
immigrants the Government may have
made a few errors, and, if so, the ex-
ecutive is willing to pay for any mis-
takes on the part of officials
Judgment Against the Railways.
AUSTIN CTex). June 9-The State
of Texas to-day secured confirmation
in the Court of Civil Appeals of a lower