Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1903-01-03
THE PACIFIC CABLE
COMPLETED TO HAWAII.
Fact Hailed with Enthusiasm By
Thousands AT Honolulu-Publ1c
Celebration To-Dny-Con-
gratulations From
President.

HONOLULU, January BY courtesy
Of the Commercial Pacific Cable Com
pany, the Associated Press is permitted
to tender congratulations on the compile
ton OF the first section of the submarine
cable that is to connect the United States
with Its insular possessions in the Paci-
&c, and eventually with the continent of
Asia The cable was completed at $40
O'clock last night when the two ends
were brought together in Molokai chan
mel, thirty-five miles from Honolulu,
where the San Francisco end had been
buoyed since December 18th
Shortly after communication was es-
tablished the fact was announced to the
crowd in waiting and was greeted with
applause. Judge Cooper, representing
Governor Dole. who was absent from the
island, sent message to President
Roosevelt, announcing the opening and
extending greeting from the citizens Of
Hawaii. A public celebration over the
completion Of the cable will be held in
the Capitol grounds tomorrow.
CEREMONIES AT HONOLULU.
Having buoyed the deep sea end of the
cable in the turbulent Molekai channel
at $40 o'clock on the morning of Friday.
December 18th, after much difficulty and
great risk, the Silvertown came on to
Honolulu, docking at the naval wharf at
noon. The big ship was met in the har-
Dor by tugs and excursion boats, carry
ing welcoming delegations, with bands
of music, and escorted to the wharf,
where great crowd awaited her.
Stormy weather prevented further cable
laying until December 18th, when the
short shore-end was laid.
The cable was hauled up on the soil
of picturesque San Souci Park. amid the
shouts OF thousands, and the crash OF a
band Of music, playing a cable march
dedicated tn President NTc1[ir1o,,
was no ceremony further than the laying
OF a lei or native wreath, upon the
end of the cable by Mrs, Halves, who
repeated the customary native greeting
aloha. y
Heavy seas compelled the silvertown
to remain at anchor until yesterday.
when scarcely q breeze stirred the wa
tiers Of the harbor. A few minutes after
o'clock in the morning, the Silvertown
heaved anchor and made start down
the bay. Shortly after 1 o'clock in the
afternoon, the Silvertown reached the
point where the end was buoyed.
THE SPLICING ACCOMPLISHED.
The sea was not rough, but the swell
rolled the vessel considerably. Great
care was taken in handling her while
taking up the buoy. 1t was finally ac-
complished at 4:30. without untoward in
cident- The connection with the testing
room was quickly made. and San Fran
cisco responded promptly to the call
+ Connection was made at 4:o4 between the
two lines and Honolulu by the ship
Four hours were spent in testing ard al
lowing the recently-laid tine to acquire
the temperature OF the ocean depths At
4:40 P. NJ. Honolulu time. came the first
call from San Francisco.
Greetings To President.
WASHINGTON. D: c.. January a.
The following cabiegram was received at
the White House ct 2:3o O'Clock this
morning, dated Honolulu, January I.
1908, 9:33 P. NJ;
The President, Washington:
The people of. the Territory OF Hawaii
send their greetings to you,. and express
their qualification at the inauguration
s OF Geographic communication with the
mainland. We all believe that the re-
n,oval of the disadvantage of isolation
will prove a strong. factor in the up
building of "a patriotic and progressive
American commonwealth In these is
lands.
~ Secretary of Hawaii
The Presidents response was as fol-
lows:
White House, Washington. January
Henry E. Cooper. Secretary Of Ha-
wall Honolulu:
The President sends through you to
Governor Dole and the people OF Hawaii
his hearty congr atulations upon the
opening OF the cable. He hopes that it
will tend to knit the people Of Hawaii
more closely than ever to their fellow
citizens Of the mainland. and will be for
I the great advantage OF all our people.
s (signedt
a -. ~ ~.