The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-06-11
OCEAN CABLES AND UNITED STATES
LAW
FROM the NJ Y. Tribune.


From the NJ Y. Tribune
Our French friends who were SO fast with
their new Atlantic cable find lion in the
way The opinion of the Attorney-General,
which we published day or two ago, compels
them TO await an express grant OF authority
from Congress before landing their cable on
our shores At first blush this irrespective of
any constitutional question involved, may
seem narrow, illiberal policy for the Govern
ment to pursue. Our coasts, it would appear,
ought to be free to all comers who bring such
rich gifts. New cables would provoke COM
petition, secure lower rates of telegraphng,
increase the ease and facility of communica-
tion between the continents, and in a thou
sand ways promote the advance of civiliza-
tion. The more capital can be induced to
enter this business, therefore, and the more
cables we have, the better. But there are two
or three points in the case less obvious than
this one, which nevertheless deserve con-
sideraton.
The decision of the Attorney General pro-
misses to bear harder upon the French enter
prise, but it affects likewise the New York
Newfoundland, and London Telegraph Com
pany. This organization represents that great
ocean-telegraphic triumph in which all of us
take just pride. Several millions of its stock
are held in this country. 1t was the pioneer
company. Its history appeals to the sympa-
thies of all Americans, and it, as all feel
should be the first to profit by any grant of
authority to connect with our shores. To
this company the decision of the Attorney
General, as we trust, means only temporary
delay. To the other, styling itself the
Franco-American Company, it may mean
something more. NJ Belanger, of Con-
federate loan memory, NJ. Reuter-, whom
Americans have no cause to love. and other
favorites of the French Emperor, have
obtained from the Imperial Government
n monopoly of the whole Atlantic coast of
France for telegraphic purposes Securing
an organization under British law and
putting forward a British Chancellor of the
Exchequer for their President, they have pro-
posed, in the singular language of the Empe-
rors grant, to assume, without waiting for
Congressional action, the right to land on the
shores of the United States, ''between New
York and Boston, Suppose a Mexican COM
pany, composed mainly of men conspicuous
in the movements against Naximilian, with
some eminent sympathizer among our Office
holders for its President, should assume
under grant of our or any American Gov
ernment, to land cable on the coast of
France, how long would we have to wait for
French ships of war to warn off theintruders?
Suppose the provincial authorities of Brit
tany or Normandy should assume to grant
such a company the right to land its cable at
Brest or Havre, how long would the Emperor
be in informing those authorities that such
affairs of national concern could not be in
trusted to their exclusive decision?
We are not arguing against the enterprise
of Messrs. Erlanger and Reuter-. We merely
object to any assumption of privileges by
these enemies which we could not properly
grant even to our friends. If they wish the
profitable right of constructing a cable be-
tween France and the United States let them
obey the decision of the Attorney General
and apply to the United States authorities for
leave. American citizens would have to do
no less in constructing a cable to France
What is fair for us is at least not unfair for
them.
The English Government has always refused
its consent to any concessions that were all
on one side. When the Metropolitan Exten-
sion Telegraph Company of London obtained
from the Italian Government the exclusive
right to connect Italy with Malta, it applied
TO the English authorities for permission to
land its cable ON that island, but received a
decided refusal unless it would give up its ex-
elusive privileges. 1t surrendered its mono
poly, and on that condition only obtained the
desired permission. Let the French company
do the same-give up its exclusive privileges,
surrender its monopoly, and apply in the
proper manner, at the proper time, to the
United States Government. Then let the
French and American Governments enter
into an agreement that the coasts of both
countries shall be free to the people of either,
and there will be no more trouble. At pre-
sent the advantage is all on their side We
give up everything, and get nothing in re-
turn. The Attorney-Generals decision re-
manding such cases to Congress, which
is in itself sound, is likewise peculiarly
timelyin its applications to present move
mentS.