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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference:

TLC.O. 885

6

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE. LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

6

Enclosure in No. 6.

MEMORANDUM for the INFORMATION of the FOREIGN Office.

From the accompanying been advised by Mr. Sand papers, it will be seen that the Canadian Government have Fleming that "it is of the utmost importance to send out "some proper person specially, and at once," from England to the Sandwich Islands, to negotiate with the Hawaiian Government, with the view of making certain arrangements in connexion with the proposed Pacific Cable.

It is pointed out that it is expedient that these negotiations should, if possible, be concluded by the 1st November, on which date tenders for the construction of the cable will be received.

A copy of a Colonial Office paper is enclosed, which contains the correspondence respecting the proposed cable.

The cable would, on the Canadian side, begin at Vancouver, and would thence run either to Fanning Island or to the Sandwich Islands. The former is a much longer span than the latter, and it is therefore desirable, from the engineering and financial point of view, that the Sandwich Islands' route should be adopted. On the other hand, there are objections to running into the centre of the Hawaiian Archipelago, as then the cable might not, in certain circumstances, be as free from foreign control as is desirable. It has been suggested that, in order to secure this object and also to obtain the advantages belonging to the shorter span, and at the same time to confer the benefit of telegraphic communication on the Sandwich Islands, the Hawaiian Government might be induced to give permission to occupy for cable purposes some island belonging to them, but lying at some distance from the centre of the group, with which the seat of Government would be connected by a branch cable. Neckar Island, lying about 400 miles from Honolulu, has been mentioned for this purpose, but it appears to be The French Frigate Shoal and Layson Island unsuitable, as it contains no fresh water. are probably better for the purpose (see Admiralty letter of the 19th July 1894).+

The object, then, is to obtain the promise of a grant of, or exclusive licence to occupy, the most suitable island, and also, if possible, a yearly subsidy, on condition that the cable is connected with Honolulu by a branch line. It might, with these objects, be pointed out that Fanning Island is the most direct route to Australia, and that the various British Governments are all interested in the line passing through islands over which, whatever the nominal sovereignty may be, they will exercise effective control. It might be urged that, therefore, the Sandwich Islands can only get the very great advantages which would result from the cable being connected with Honolulu by giving the concession desired. They should also be reminded of the previous abortive schemes for establishing telegraphic connexion with the Sandwich Islands, and of the subsidy formerly offered by the Local Government.

It will no doubt be found advantageous to secure the assistance of the Honolulu Chamber of Commerce, which is greatly interested in the question.

Useful information could be obtained from local sources as to the outlying islands, and as to the present condition of the inter-iosular cable and the causes of the interruptions which, it is understood, have occurred in it.

Mr. BOWELL to SIB C. TUPPER.

Department of Trade and Commerce,

Ottawa, Canada.

MY DEAR SIR CHARLES,

I ENCLOSE, herewith, a copy of an advertisement respecting the proposed Pacific Cable, which please have inserted in the "Times," the "Canadian Gazette," and the "British Australian" in such manner and as many times as you deem advisable. I also send you by this mail copies of the terms and conditions under which tenders are to be made, as well as a map showing the different roûtes suggested, and a letter written to me on this subject by Mr. Sandford Fleming, all of which you may place at the disposal of parties desiring to make offers. The charts referred to in the specifications are those of the Admiralty, and I should thank you to procure an extra copy and send them to me for use in this Department.

Australian No. 159.

† No. 149 in Australian No. 159.

I am sending copies of these Memoranda to all the Delegates, and to each of the Governments interested.

Looking at the Conference from all standpoints, I think I may say that it was a

Sincerely yours,

success.

P.S.-Further supplies of these memoranda may be had by cabling.

(Confidential.)

Mr. BOWELL to Sir C. TUPPER-

M. BOWELL.

M. B.

Department of Trade and Commerce, Ottawa, Canada,

August 10, 1894. MY DEAR SIR CHABLES,

You will see by the resolutions passed at the Conference, copies of which appear on page 5 of the Memorandum mailed to you yesterday, that the Imperial Government is asked to secure neutral landing ground for the cable on some one of the Hawaiian to press upon Lord Islands. It has suggested itself to me that it would be well for Rosebery and the Colonial Secretary the propriety of sending some one, at as early a period as possible, to interview the Hawaiian Government upon this subject. Looking at the map, the route by way of the Hawaiian Islands is the most feasible; hence the necessity of securing one of the islands, or landing rights.

you

I have referred to this matter and urged the course of action just suggested in a Report to Council on the Conference, which it is intended also to forward to the Colonial Secretary. I believe, however, that personal interviews by yourself would be more effective than a Despatch.

It would also be advisable to point out the importance of having the Imperial Commissioner accompanied by some Canadian who is thoroughly posted on this subject and I know of no one so well fitted for this as our friend Sandford Fleming. However, think the inatter over, and act as your judgment guides you.

DEAR SIR CHarles,

Mr. FLEMING to Sir C. Tupper.

Sincerely yours,

M. BOWELL.

Ottawa, Canada, August 9, 1894.

1

By this mail, Mr. Bowell has sent you printed papers respecting the Pacific Cable. Some of the duty of correcting proof was thrown upon me and, on reading over the specification this evening, I find that the printer has neglected to make one correction. On page 4, second line, after route No. 5, the words " thence to Jersey" are superfluous. Please get them struck out by hand in all the copies which reach your office.

On page 6 you will notice a reference to charts. My idea is that you should order the most recent charts of the Pacific between Vancouver and Australia, showing the soundings made along the general route of proposed cable, and have them ready for A set of these charts should likewise be any one to examine should they wish to do so." sent by you to Mr. Bowell for exhibition in his Department.

We already have an excellent general chart of the Pacific, which has been engraved for the India-rubber, Gutta percha, and Telegraph Company of Silvertown, ascertained from the most recent publications of the Admiralty and other official sources. includes the soundings taken by the "Egeria" and was sent out here through the kindness of Mr. Gray. It would be advisable to have one of these charts also on your table along with the Admiralty charts; indeed, the fullest information obtainable from any quarter should be furnished to all inquiries.

Yours very truly,

MY DEAR SIR CHARLES,

Mr. FLEMING to Sir C. TUPPER.

SANDFORD FLEMING.

This

Ottawa, Canada, August 9, 1894. You will notice that the "general conditions" in the matter of the Pacific Cable Tender are arranged specially with the view of making the best terms possible with the Hawaiian Government. This object will be seen at a glance if you refer to the general map which is attached to the "advertisement" sheets,

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