227
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
LTC.O. 885
y
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
38
into any arrangement against the treaty, even provisionally. There is nothing in that treaty about the United States giving their consent to infringements of it, it is on the face of it an absolute bar, and, in the view of the Ministers, prevents them from making even a conditional agreement of a formal character.
I should have liked to have had their signatures to a definite agreement, made subject to the consent of the United States, but they were quite firm that the consent must be got first. [I think they had good reason on their side in this.] I said that we had reason to believe that the United States Government would appreciate the commercial benefits they would get from the cable, and suggested that, instead of signing the Memorandum of Agreement, they should give us a memorandum explanatory of their position, referring to our memorandum and explaining why it could not be approved at present, but promising that the propositions embodied in it should be laid before the Hawaiian Legislature as soon as the consent of the United States should be obtained. This was agreed to, and accordingly we sent them a letter* (17th October) purporting to enclose the " Memorandum of Agreement" and stating some facts so as to help them with their Legislature. In reply, we received Mr. Hatch's letter of same date, enclosing a statement of their attitude, in which it is said that, upon obtaining the consent of the United States, the said propositions would be referred to the Legislature. Copies of these papers are enclosed, and a final note from Mr. Hatch.* Towards the last we had quite removed the suspicion that we were political conspirators, and were getting on excellently with the Government party. Mr. Hatch gave us a big dinner, and took us to one of their show places. We have realised all along that they would like the United States to be excited into emulation by our scheme, and come forward with one of their own. But the indifference which we showed from the start to the exclusive right business, and the costliness of the undertaking, both as regards capital and maintenance (which they had hardly realised), has put this hope to a distance. They had little notion of the amount of traffic which is required to make a submarine cable pay, and they now realise that a cable from San Francisco to Honolulu alone is out of the question.
[It was rather trying to Fleming to hear me setting out the financial difficulties of the scheme (which, of course, he denies), but he suffered it heroically without a murmur.]
I should, if left to myself, return via Washington, so as to see Sir J. Pauncefote and explain matters to him. Of course it is entirely for the Hawaiian Government to make the application, but probably he will soon be spoken to on the subject, and might like to make some inquiries from me.
But Fleming is anxious that I should go at once to Ottawa, and report to Mr. M. Bowell and the other Ministers. I have resisted this idea, but have compromised by agreeing that he should telegraph to Bowell from San Francisco, and that I will abide by Bowell's wishes.
I shall be very glad to get back, having had quite a surfeit of hot weather. prepared to welcome a November fog for a change.
I am, yours very truly,
19790.
No. 41.
A m
W. H. MERCER.
The MARQUESS OF RIPON to the EARL OF ABERDEEN. (Sent November 15, 1894.)
TELEGRAPHIC. [Answered by No. 43.]
Is Mercer proceeding to Washington ?
• See Enclosure in No. 38.
19790.
(Confidential.)
39
No. 42.
COLONIAL OFFICE to FOREIGN OFFICE.
SIR,
Downing Street, November 15, 1894. WITH reference to the letter from this Department of the 3rd instant and your letter of the 10th instant, I am directed by the Marquess of Ripon to transmit to you, for the information of the Earl of Kimberley, a copy of a lettert from Mr. W. H. Mercer,
#
of this Department, containing an account of his proceedings at Honolulu.
As Mr. Mercer will probably visit Washington, Lord Ripon would be glad if Lord Kimberley would instruct Her Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires there by telegram to take any steps he properly can to further the object of Mr. Mercer's mission, and to confer with the Hawaiian Minister at Washington as to approaching the United States Government on the matter.
I am, &c.
20141.
No. 43.
R. H. MEADE.
DEPUTY GOVERNOR-GENERAL STRONG to the MARQUESS OF RIPON. (Received November 16, 1894.)
TELEGRAPHIC.
21124.
Mercer has seiled for England.
(No. 123.)
No. 44.
The EARL OF KIMBERLEY to MR. GOSCHEN.
TELEGRAPHIC.
Foreign Office, November 16, 1894. Mr. Mercer may arrive shortly at Washington, in connexion with the Pacific cable question, which formed the subject of my telegram No. 118.
You should ascertain whether the representative of Hawaii has instructions to approach the Government of the United States, and, if so, in what manner he will do so.
You should also report whether it will be necessary to obtain the sanction of the Senate.
It is very desirable that assent of United States should be obtained quickly.
You are authorised to give your support to your Hawaiian colleague in such manner
as may appear to you to be most judicious.
20205.
SIA,
No. 45.
FOREIGN OFFICE to COLONIAL OFFICE. (Received November 19, 1894.)
Foreign Office, November 19, 1894. WITH reference to your letter of the 3rd instant, in regard to the proposed Pacific cable, I am directed by the Earl of Kimberley to transmit herewith, for the information of the Marquess of Ripon, copy of a Despatch from Her Majesty's Chargé
RECORD
OFFICE..
CODYBICHT PHOTOGRAPH_NOT TOL
Nos, 38 and 39.
† No. 40. E 4
‡ No. 38.
40