The Sun.
London, England, 1857-11-28 00:00:00

AUSTRIA.

Tmora, Nov. 25.—The Oesterreiehische Zeitung
of this morning has au article on the projected
telegraph between Ragusa and Alexandria, which
deserves particular attention, as it was written by
order of the Finance Department. In substance it
is as follows
"The Austrian Government entertains an idea of
contributing to the completion of the telegraphic com-
munication between the East and the West, but it will
depend entirely on England whether the plea will be
realised.
"Austria is willing to construct a submarine tele-
graph between Ragusa and Corfu, and to continue it
by wall of Zante and Candia to Alexandria. She is will-
ing to establish the necessary stations and offices, and to
forward the despatches in English and in certain other
languages. The British Government has expressed its
readiness to establish a telegraphic line from Saez, by
way of the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf, to Bombay.
"The British press makes two objections to this plan.
The one objection is to the telegraph being carried
through the Red Sea ; the other, to those conces-
sions being made which Austria demands. Many
influential persons in England and Wiz seem
to think that a telegraphic line through Western
Asia would be preferable, Such 'a lino would suit
Austria remarkably well, as all despatches which
arrived at Constantinople would have to, pass through
European Turkey and the Austrian dominions, un-
less, indeed, the English should prefer to have their
telegrams forwarded by the Russian telegraphs.' If
the West Asiatic telegraph should be constructed,
Austria will not have to epond a farthing, and will
still be an indiQpensable link between India and Eng-
land. The Times, however, is fully aware of the nume-
rous objections which there are to the line through
Western Asia, and believes that the waves will be the
best protection for a telegraph to India.
" The concession which Austria requires from Eng-
land is a reasonable indemnification for the outlay
for the construction and maintenance of the proposed
telegraph. The great undertaking will oust millions
(of florins), and these Austria cannot possibly
expend unless, she has a prospect of obtaining
proper interest for them. The present interrup-
tion between Cagliari and Malta • shows how
difficult it is to calculate what it will cost to lay down
and to keep a submarine telegraph in proper working
order. As is already known, the British Government
will be at liberty, if the Ragusa-Alexandria line of
telegraph should be made, to send its despatches from
Corfu to England by any route it may choose, and we
believe we may add, that tl a Austrian Government only
lays claim to the exclusive privilege of forwarding
the telegrams between Alexandria and Corfu as leng
as no other competing (concurrirend) line shall
have a cheaper tariff for despatches khan the Austrian
telegraph.' The only guarantee which Austria can have
that her telegraph from Ragusa to Alexandria will
pay is, that the British Government will agree to send
its despatches by it, as long as no other line will under-
take to forward them at a lower price.
" The only conditions on which Austria will undertake
to accomplish the gigantic task of carrying a cable
across the Mediterranean are—the exclusive right to!
forward the British despatches from Corfu to Alex-
andria, and the construction by England of a correspond.
ing telegraph across the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf.
These concessions are the price which England will
have to pay if a work so conducive to her interests is to
be carried out."