Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-03-16
4 Cable TO hawaii.

ton treaty is delayed by the all-im-
portant Cuban situation the considera-
ton of Hawaii matters is deemed OF
the highest Importance
Aside from the question of annexa-
ton. the commercial importance of a
Pacific cable controlled by Americans,
who already control more than 30 par
cent. of Hawaiis foreign trade. has
long been beyond the need of arSn-
ment. When it is proposed to extend
this cable from Honolulu to Japan
this Importance is enhanced. And
when it is made clear-aS it has been
that if we fail to secure Hawaii. Great
Britain will hasten TO arrange for
similar cable from Vancouver, unless
we shall have perfected arrangements
by that time. the wisdom of pushing
through this cable bill regardless OF
the treaty should appeal to the country
with convincing force.
IJlt IdIlutt ny tllt last Nois,iNoS ~
pass a Pacific cable bill was serious
mistake 1t must be remembered that
government construction and conse-
qucnt heavy expenditure is not con-
templated. The bill grants authority
to a private corporation. for construc-
ton to Hawaii. with conditional pro-
vision as 10 ultimate extension to
Japan-and Australia. 1t is true that
the government will bind itself to pay
the company total of S2,Ooo.ooo but
this payment is to he spread over a
period of 20 years, 100000 being paid
eminent business will be franked in
perpetuity. thus saving an immense
sum each year: the government is to
control the cable in case of war u
other emergency, and the company
must file bond of $50. 600 to guarantee
construction according to contract.
Furthermore our naval vessels will
survey the routes, and commercial
rates are fixed at a maximum of 81 per
word from San Francisco to Japan "
Australia and 81 cents per word to
Honolulu The government has moth
ing to lose. and everything to gain.
financially and politically, by a con-
summation of the scheme.
This project. in one form or another
is an old one: but never before has
there been equal cause for prompt
affirmative action. In the Fifty-second
Congress provision for private con-
struction with an annual subsidy "f
S:,50.0J0 for fifteen years got through
the Senate. but was defeated in tbs
House. Mr. Blaine, as secretary ell
state. gave this subject serious consid-
Grafton and unqualified Endorsement in
correspondence with the Senate COM
mittee on foreign relations. His keen
foresight Grasped unerringly the future
interest Of the United States in the
Pacific. When the question of Ha-
Ndlldu annexation Was formally pre-
scented an effort was made in Congress
to authorize the construction OF a cable
United States governmental con-
sent of Hawaii and friendly interest of
both China and Japan having been
assured
In both sessions of the Fifty fourth
Congress vain attempts We're made 20
pass either of two bils-one the
measure now reported and fathered by
the Pacific Gable Company of New
York. the other granting authority 10
the Pacific Cable Company of New
Jersey. The latter project involved j
franchise for twenty years. an annual
subsidy of $1,000 the beginning Of
construction by May |, 1897, and com
pletion by November I. 1898, and sub
stantia assistance by the United
States in aiding the company to build
its cable. An attempt to further the
cable scheme during the extra session
of the present Congress also proved
futile
The comparative certainty of what
the future will bring forth in the line
of British activity in the event Of
failure to pass a bill of the sort now re-
ported should force favorable action
during the present session by botn
houses. The cost of construction j.
estimated at siO0o,0oo The United
States is not only relieved of this bur
den, bat secures. for an outlay of hall
this sum spread over twenty years, d
franking privilege forever in place of
the present cost of 81 per word to
Japan. and a direct route in place Of
one well nigh completing a circuit of
the globe The enormous saving thus
aSsured-and especially when the grow
lnS intimacy of our relations with
Japan is COnSidcred--iS APPARENT The
| advantage in case of the non annexa-
tiDQ of Hawaii and tho irpporativ.,