The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-01-19

ITALY.
Tho International telegraph COpferencc-visIi
or the Delexates-K0man Forum and the
Palace Of the Ccsnrs-AIr. Cyrus w. Fields
speech ut tho Banquet OF the 2S,h Inst.
ROME, Dec 81, 1871.
YESTERDAY attended the archaeological exc ursion
OF the members OF the International Telegraph Con-
gress to the Capitol, Tabularlum, Roman Forum and
Palace OF the Caesars, under the guidance OF the
Commentators Rosa, who arrived about noon In the
great hall In the senatorial Palace where the tele-
graphic delegates were holding their discussions.
Senator Rosa appeared to be III state Of great and
justifaple excitement at having just discovered the
massive arch OF the Cloaca Maxima, under The
eastern extremity OF the Julian Basilica.
This remnant Of the adile civilization OF
the Tarqu,ns Is now revealed 10 view
IN the Forum for the first time since
1000 years, and the masonry Is as solid and the now
Of water as constant as ever We all verified the
fact by personal inspection ana listened with In
terest to the explanations OF SignOr Rosa respecting
and the other localities Illustrated by hin in the
afternoons promenade During this excursion
hao the pleasure OF c0nversing between one temple
and another, with MI. Cyrus W. Field, whose en-
ligh,ened and thoroughly humanitarian views on all
questions connected with telegraphy ! was fully
able to appreciate.
enclose the text Of Mr. Fields speech to the In
ternatiOnal Telegraph Conference on the 2Sh inst.
His propositions obtained the majority of votes In
the assembly, there being no contrary votes and
only nine delegates who sbstalned from voting
without the special instructions OF their respective
gOvernments:-
SPEECH OF Mr.. CYRUS W. FIELD.
Mr.. PRESIDENT AND GENTLEMEN In attending
this Conference on the invitation OF the Italian gov
eminent, cannot forget that 1t was an Immortal
, a between
America which can never be broken, and also that,
the ancient apital OF the world, American natu-
rally feels that Rome Is no longer 1.-THE lone mother
and freedom are dinused through ali the provinces
OF the Kingdom. SO much perhaps an American
citizen may pe 70 say 6ef9re
propose Tor the consideration OF this Conference
Frst-Ine neutrality of telegrapns In time OF war
Is one OF those problems which cannot be settled
either by philanthropy or by sentiment-probaby
every civilized government has felt that Whatever,
do, imperiOus necessity las IN the American civil
war anu In the late European war; may override
admitted that wnen, uDhappiy, state oil war arises
government Will exercise the power to deal with
surely TINS power OF interference may be limited by
certain well defined restrictions The destruction
Of telegraphlc cables should be condemned as an
law OF nations. On the other hand, a belligerent
under the plea OF military necessity WIN not
But at The time the TRANSMISSION
Of private messages winch are IN themselves harm
less Is q privilege that may safely be conceded
under proper regulations. In civilized warfare
thanks to enlightened statesmen ike the lamented
Golden, the duty Of exhibiting much humanity
hnd lorbearance towards privaVe citizens as possible
Is now generally recognized, although, uniortu
nateiy, this principle heretofore has been only i'm
perfectly applied. But manifestly private messages
IL they contain nothing to which belllgerent need
object, may safely enjoy immunity at the hands OF
the military authorities. Moreover, O convention
between the Powers should secure. so tar as human
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s0ue safety OF every telegraph whether on the land
above in the sea beneath. A hundred arguments
might he advanced IN support OF tins proposition,
but need only mention the powerful one that a
telegraph may he the means OF making or accele-
TaunR the making OF peace between the cOmbatants.
In treaty between Italy ana the United States, the
RATIFICATION OF which was exchanged at Washington
Last month, the principle OF lnvoabhty OF private
property on The nlgh seas IN tune OF war was iOr
the first time consecrated IN an Official International
act.
Second-The exclusive right to lay q cable be-
tween two foreign countries should not be given
without the joint consent OF the respective govern
mentS. IL Is mere tluism TO say that q govern
menJ cannot impart rights when II does not Itself
possess. In other words, IL Is impossible for u
State TO grant to private persons privileges which 1t
would never dream Of exercising IN It's sovereign
capacity. IL is ABSURD suppose that has right
TO connect them through the agency OF without
the full consent OIL b. and Oh sucn terms as the
The President OF Inc United Satesin his message
TO Congress on the Atm oil THIS month used the
following language:-"tispeciaIly do recommend
telegraph System OF the United states with
the postal system, 1t is believed tnat n, by
such course the cost OF ,eiegrapning
WELL II not better, rendered. it would secure the
further advantage or extending the telegraph
through portions Of the country where private en-
terprlse Will not construct 1t. commerce, trade and
anove ALL the efforts 10 BRING people widely sepa
rated into community OF interest are always bene-
flied by rapid inter. communI atiou.n
Excepting III the United states, the principal land
lines OF the world the properly state aud
are worked for the benefit Of the State. r.,
for the benefit OF the great body of The peO-
pie, whose interests are tnus eHecually secured. A
ieleerapnic monopoly In the hands OF the state Is
held tor the advantage Of the entlre community and
Is therefore not exposed TO those fluctuations
and vcissitudes which are insepara de from the
management OF a private speculative enterprise. III
IL ~ desirable that land INES should not he heid
by private persons 1t Is not Inc less desirable thas
submarine cables should DC vested III the govern
mcnts whose errtories are thus electrically unltedi
anu perhars the day IS nos distant when Inc work
Of providing ana MAINTAINING International telc-
graphs Will be no more lett 10 private enterprise
than the ordinary postal arrangements between
foreign countries. and when, moreover, u VIII he
seen that tins method combines Inc elements OF
efficiency and cheapness.
So !ong, however, us the world Is dependent on
private enterprise Tor submarine communication "
is important that the utmost liberty should be given
To the management OF the companies.
Thtrd--There Is another point which Is entirely
within The province OF this Conference and wnicn
demands serious attention. IL Is unnecessary 10
brlDg forward Illustrations, the fact beng notorious
that on the Continent oil Europe TIE transmission d
messages between two adJ yinIng Kingdoms or
STATES IL made the subject OF an extra tax wn0y
siisprop0rtloned 10 the charge levied on messages
sent between diiIerent parts oil the same country
In fact, arbitrary charge ~ imposed on The mes
sage because II happens 10 pass from the limits ot
one country into nose OF announcer, whereas the only
sound principle IL mat the lnLernationat charge
should be at III events no more tnan the local tariffs
Oi the Two countries. Tnus3 Tor example, II a mes
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