is convinced that his rights in the island are not to be interfered
with.

Mr. Spreckels is a millionaire who has made most of his money through
his vast sugar interests in the Sandwich Islands. He was so afraid that
his business would be hurt by annexation, that he threatened to spend
half his fortune to prevent it.

Besides his sugar interests, he owns a line of steamers between Hawaii
and San Francisco, and he controlled so many votes in Hawaii that he was
a dangerous enemy to the project.

President Dole of the Sandwich Islands has been endeavoring to break Mr.
Spreckels' power, but has made very little progress until the other day,
when he granted permission to one of the Pacific mail steamers to enter
into competition with Mr. Spreckels' boats for the carrying trade of the
islands. The permission stated that the President would allow the
Pacific Mail Company to increase the number of vessels on the line if
they desired to do so.

This was a dreadful blow to Mr. Spreckels.

The carrying trade with Hawaii is hardly large enough for several
companies to make money at it, and as the new line will endeavor by
reduced rates and increased accommodations to get the trade away from
Mr. Spreckels, the chances are that he will lose a good deal of money
through it.

It is in consequence of this that he is reported to have promised not to
oppose the annexation of Hawaii if his interests are not interfered