New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-04-02


GRAPH MISUNDERSTANDING WITH THE
SECRETARY OF STATE.
The following correspondence is made public:
EXECUTIVE OTfIcE,
WESTERN UNION TELEGRAPH COMPANY
NEW-YORK, March rs, 1867.
SIR: This Company having after careful eXammation
Of all the facts i'm the case, determined to suspend work
on tie construction of the RusSian-Amercan Collins
Overland Telegraph, deem due, alike to own honor
and to the selXiccs You have generously and inen
gently rendered us in this international undertaking,
frankly and fully TO state the causes which have led Us to
such decision.
The lines Of this Company having been completed to
Westminster the capital Of British Columbia, that
city became the starting point for the line 10 Russia
NTH greater than the building of the line from Chi
rago Francisco, $50 miles Of line erected and
the connected 90 the banks Of the simpson River
Beyond it only needed vigorous and intelligent COM
Issariat to overcome the difficulties Of transportation
and push the construction Of the line TO the Bchrng
and ON 10 the terminal point at the mouth Of the Amor
Indeed, at every forward step made in this great work.
difficulties vanished as resoute bands approached them
plated Not Only 50 but most important information re-
Epecng the navgabc character OF the northern streams
have been secured The steekG9 has been fond TO- be
Kntehpak and Hokon Rivers Ior probably LOG mics
furnishing unexpected aid in the distribution OF ma
ON the Aslatc side our explorations have also proved
ahat the Auad River can be naygaed al least $50 miles
sts upper waters suitable for our purposes. Everything
cOnspired to render the whole scheme and more
capital no physical difficulty no doubt of ability to
complete the work contemplated ed to our recent &c
Termination TO suspend operations thereon The cause OF
that suspension We now proceed To state. 800
Vcloped in process Of time. several important facts
unexpected 10 the Company Who laid IL as TO us and the
The ability cable of 1900 miles in length sunk in tic
qeeap 70 convey the Mal41tioHs OF Iic leeeapn sue
poater Of almost universe doubt Nothing aided more
70 strengthen that Impression than the record kept by
che electricians board the Government vessels which
bore their respective portions OF the cable IN 1858 from
md-Occan TO the shores of the two continents. Weak,
variable, uncertain, there seemed no indications Of
power 10 predicate the supply Of commercial c0mmunca-
aon there0n-at least so FAR as pnbhc oWedEe OF hot
Interesting voyage received And when II reached
the shores, and all the world seemed to want 10 TAX
nces which this day are enormously believed by many
of engineering skin il stretching dumb bond between
Experiment in Europe with ulteiranean and extended
submarine lines were unsatisfactory ana dse0uiaghg
fluid such want Of ability TO perform prompt ana accu-
lnulatcd service as to discourage their general use The
current over the cable known 10 he Of such teity
tat the human eye could not catch the motions Of the
Mechanism except by the aid Of strong light applied 70
lhe motive part, revealing by radiation on me wall the
pulsaOn which the finger could not feel ana the y could
10 satisfy EurobtSn commerce by such mean. seemed
impossible. Even had that cable continued TO work
,as feqo4gbe to presume tat Win 50 SLOW process OF
manipulation OF telegraph by land although 1t was
Ghlgcd to shoot its messages over thIeeQ4tAs Of W
Under snch c..,cuinstances what was our duty Gov
ffpment for the sake OF national pride and governmental
lses might have been justified in pushing the work TO
Completion even il it should cost large sum annually to
maintain 1t. Russia must before many years reach New
Archangel in America by telegraph Tor the simple pur
poses Of her governmental arrangements. But we could
under promise Of Reasonable return from its investment
The proof that the basis OF revenue had been removed
only needed TO he complete TO make the duty Of nj
once stopping the whole work stern pereupory neces
Ety. That proof have been from month 10 month
ceiyng SO clear and cumulative has that evidence been
that We have been compelled, though with great relc
doubts concerning the capacity and efficiency OF the
ocean cables dspeed and the work of construc
ton on the Russian neafter an expenditure OF sj0OO0O
has been discontinued.
( Could the Government be induced 10 prosecute the
EOTk interrupted 70 some available point in her
North American possessions we Will extend and maintain
respective Governments for intercourse would be secured
Hime, and the gradual opening up Of alXary sources OF
business, might develop revenue which would RECON-
bense the outlay and delay. Beyond this are I'M
bbe 10 See aitysto go on under the circumstances
These matters are commended to your attention. tt
mas occurred to us that YOU might through Minister
at the Russian Court so represent these circumstances
so unexpected and embarrassing 10 US as 10 preserve It's
IN the esteem and favor Of that intelligent Government
pnd lead 10 the accomplishment OF mutual designs
ave have the honor 10 be, with high regard, your obeu
The Western Union Telegraph Company,
WILLIAM ORION, VicePresi9enI
The Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD Secretary Of State
Washington, ID. Z.
SECRETARY Stewards REILLY.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
WAsHS6TON, March 2s, 1915
TO ne Western Union telegraph Company, mc-f York.
GENTLEMIN: / have received your Communication Of
che 25h inst and have not failed TO lay the same at once
Before the President
am not one OF those who have been disappOntedby
the complete and magnificent success OF the International
Atlantic Telegraph, OF those who fear that
She United states will oDOy less OF its wonderful benefits
Than any other nation. regard ii as tributary to
an expansion OF our national commerce. anu
ultimately, OF our political institutions, both OF
(which 1 think are important forces in the
progress OF civilization I would not have the Allan
Bic Cable become dumb again if thereby could inn
enediaely the Of the Iner- mental
ific Telegraph enterprise which committed
Stands Nevertheless, profess to profound disappOint
snent In the suspension OF the latter enterprise admit
fat the which you have assigned for that ss
hensOn % he irresistible. II Is impossible Tor pr
Tate individuals corporate companies build tee-
graphs without capital; aud ii is equally impossible for
p4ndyiduals corporations 20 procure capital
graphs that do not promise immediate al least speedy
On the other hand aate noiOt OF my former estimates
o. the importance or Inter Continental Pacific Telegraph
DO not believe that the United States aud Russia have
given their faith 10 each other and TO the world for
Die prosecution OF that great enterprise in vain. The
United states Government is emil ghtened and wise The
Emperor Of Russia liberal as we'll sagacOus Prince
DOltehacOw Is pleasant well frank correspondent
will with pleasure make your explanations known TO
him and with the Presidents leave will ask a confer.
Ence upon the question: What shall be done nextfp
Accept my thanks for the fIpnkness and cOrdiay Of
your COMMUNICATION am gentlemen, your obedient
S!Ysak WILLIAM II, SEWARD,