, 1875-12-18

'''''- N"'-Nl'04o4l SdbN GU 'aat
other capital than that already invest.
ed, was ready 10 enter competition
with assurances Of adequate return for
their outlay.
Impressed with the conviction that
the interests not only Of the people OF
the United States, but OF the world al
large, demand, the multiplication OF
SGch means decentralization between
separated continents, | WAS deSirols
that the proposed connection should
be made.
But certain provisions Of this con
eesslon were deemed by me to be ob
Jeeuonab.e, particularly one which
gave 10 the company, for 4 long term
OF years, the exclusive right of tele
graphic communicative. by submarine
cable, between the shores of France
and the Unltsd States. | could not
eoneede that any power should claim
the right TO land a cable on the shores
ot the United States, and at The same
time deny the United States, or 10 It's
citizens, equal rights TO land 4 cable
on It's shores. The right TO control
the condition for the laying Of a cable
III waters within the jurisdiction OF
the United States to conrect our shores
with those Of any foreign state per
talns exclusively TO the government
Of the United States, under such lIni-
tatIons and conditions Congress may
impose.
In the absence Of legislation bv
Congress, | was unwilling, on the one
haad, TO y!e.d 70 = foreign state tie
right 10 say that It's grantee might
land on our shores while ii denied a
slmiIar night 10 our people to land OF
It's shores and, on the other hand, |
Was reluctant to deny to the great in
jerests Of the world of civilization
the facilities o. spch communication
As were proposed; / therefore with
held any resistance 10 the landing of
any cable, on condition that offensive
monopoly part OF the concession be
abandoned, aud that the right Of any
cable which may be established by
authority Of this government to land
upon French territory, and TO enjoy all
The necessary facilities At present Ill
c!denJ 10 the Use thereof.
The company Ii question renuunced
the exclusive privilege and The repre-
sentative of France Was so informed.
Understanding that this re!iuauish-
ment was 10 Ue construed Is grant
ing the entire reciprocity and equal ia
cliIties which had been demanded, the
TO the landing Of the cable
was Withdrawn. The cable, under this
French concession, was landed in the
month Of June, 1869, and has been an
efficient and valuable agent Of con-
muuicaticn between this country and
the continent. It soon passed under
control, however, Of tAUSe who had
the management Of the cable connect
ING Gseal Britain with this continent,
and thus, whatever benefit the public
might have enjoyed from the compe:i-
tiOn between the TWO lines, was lost.
The company having greater facili-
ties Of an additional security, in case
Of accident TO one Of them, of being
able TO use The other gave /, great sta
bIllty. But the increased facilities ani
this additional security, together with
control Of tie combined capital of the
companies ggyea also greater power 70
prevent future constructions and limit
the control of the teIegreph.c commun-
lcation between two continents 20 those
possessing lines already laid.
Within 4 few months past a cable
has been laid, known a. the /. ). DI-
rect Cable Company, connecting the
United States directly with Great
Britain. As soon as this cable was
reported to be in working order the
rates Of lie then existing consolidated
companies were greatly reduced Soon
however, q break was announced IL
this new cable, and Immediately the
rates Of the other line, which had been
reduced, were again raised. This ca
bic being now repaired, the rates ap-
pear uot to be reduced by either line
from those formerly charged by the
other company.
There Is a reason to believe that
arge amounts OF capital, both 1t
ZONE ani abroad, are ready 20 seek
profitable investments in the advance
uenC Of this useful and most ciyli:z-
No means Of intercourse and CORES
DonGence They await, however, the
assurance Of the Governments for the
;lfstv Of the means and contributions
which they may make tributary TO tue
general 9O"d-
REGULATIONS FOR OCEAN TELEGEAPHs
PROPOSED.
As these cable te.e9raphs connect
.he separate states, there viii be
Iuestions a. to their organization and
control, which probably can be best
i not solely settled by conventions
between the respective states. In the (
ABSENCE. however, Of International (
conventions On the subject, national (
eris!ation may be secured on many 4
,oints which to me appear important, /
T not Indispensable, :or the protection /
f the public against the extor;iOns /
vhich may result from a monopoly Of
he right Of operating cable tele.
rraphs. or from Z combination between
eyeral lines. First No line should
,e allowed 70 and on the shores Of
he United States under concessions