The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-12-11
PROSPECTS FOR NEW OCEAN CABLES
France Nay Prevent British Control - RotA
Pacific nnd West IadIes Waters.

the laying OF a trans Pacific cable between this
| continent ana Australia may be considerably
fastened because OF the unpleasant awaken
| ing which the British imperial Government
recently received through tho successful COM
pleton Of the Australian French cable be-
tween Queensl and and New Caledonia. And
not alone this. but 1t Is very likely that con-
| siderable cable extensions from this continent
| through the British West Indies, probably to
| South America, may also result from tho same
| cause, for tho events in the Pacific must have
| aroused the imperial Government to the dan
| gerous immnenco OF precisely similar situa-
tion In tho South Atlantic and the Caribbean.
Although the Australian and Canadian Gov.
ernments have for years constantly urged on
| the home authorities the commercial and stra-
tegical necessity for Pacific cable they have
| been entirely unsuccessful in arousng any
| imperial interest. The West Indian colonies
and Canada have been equally persistent and
| equally unsuccessful In urging like necessity
| for inter-colonial cable communication among
the islands and with the Dominion. indepcn-
dent OF foreign connection. A cable WAS laid
recently from Halifax to the Bermudas. but all
efforts to have the imperial Government coop.
crate in extending II to Turks Island and ia
mnica. and on through the other British colo
MES to Guiana in South America have failed.
Finally the cable company has opened neGo-
lions with the French West India Telegraph
Company and indirectly with the French Gov
eminent, for the extension OF the cable from
Bermuda to the island OF San Domingo Here
the French prosecutions pos in he Vest indies
and the British Government H. thus In immi-
nent danger OF losing control of this line.
1t is. likely that the negotiations with the
P prf.ISh Government VII go through II the
fayors S pot .ob ,or eas
the commercial advantages that would thereby
accrue TO the French islands. but also because
canada through the West, Indies to, South
America touching only British soil. At
tween Great Britain and her West. indian
colonies or between them and Canada, must
and Spanish possessions in the West Indies.
or else 10y a roundabout route, through half
pean countries. 4 Canada Vest indies i cable
would afford an Independent all; British route.
connection being made at Halifax with the
British Atlantic cables
=, 1t will be remembered that Queensland and
Imperial Government. to do som ething toward
the laying OF trans Pacific cable, conf ecting
Australia and Canada ,hropsh bstish p9s
French Government IN eubsidizing n French
to lay eH1ls from to
the WI. Fs vbsn link ,bs soss en9s
a short time ago that the British Govern n
ment awoke to the situation An aid to
uany's announcement that 1t was willing to go
right ahead with tho construction Of the sue
helped greatly in the arousal by making Wig
orous protest. Lord Ripon. Secretary OF state
the Australian Governments. stating the i'm:
perial Governments objections TO the colonies
cable and asking for Information tor" as 10 their
position In tho matter, especially as regards
an extension of the cable eastward under the
No official reply has yet been made to this
despatch. but the Sydney. DAILY Telegraph has,
N n Int "A INT ,AnN
Of New south Wales. prepier Dihbs, said be
made to Lord Ripon's communication. My
own impression is" he, said. that what they
will oblge them to assist US in finding route
for another cable somewhere else. some good
thought that If Canada had been ~u prom In entity
In the field with definite proposals there
with tRs rsnch coonS in an
project; Al tho same time, no averTed New
S So4 be Gt e sfg
cable. Under any circumstances 1t was an adj.
vantage for Australia to be connected with
tensive commercial relations
Premier Dibbs said there was no doubt that
vent the construction OF Pacific cable. BY |
this he meant doubtless. that the company
and Great Britain via India, the Red Soa and |
the Mediterranean. and which practically has
those in the North Atlantic. the Caribbean.
and down the Pacific coast OF South America, |
1t may be noted here, that while Premier |
Dibbs denies that New South Wales is COM |
cable. it was distinctly stated by the uueens.
land GoyernImenti when arranging the. Joint
sub Tor this linz that It should form
tralia with either Vancouver or San Fran cisco, |
or such other part. as may be determined"
tho subsidy. with the other countries" or
colonies. AS soon as the main Pacific cable 10
1t is also noted in the Sydney Telegraph that
the CANADIAN Minister for Trade and Conn
municated with the Premiers OF the Australian
colonies suggesting that representative from
point in Australia to meet him and exchange
views upon matters OF trade and telegraphlc
mics and Canada. This proposal is Interest.
which IdIfa. was made BY the Hon SGsorge Z
year or so ago in the West indies. and by
proxy. in the British African colonies. in an
those directions Now, in the matter OF the
cable, Australia offers little encouragement TO
Australia replies to Mr. lowell that the colony
will give him a hearty welcome, but as to the
enhoavor to arrange one IN The absence OF the
cooperation 81 New South Wales.
II Is evident that the i'm erial and Canadian
Governments are thoroughly stirred up over
I he New Caledonia cable episode, and give evil
dence thai hey intend pushing the Question OF
sion, They will need to do something quickly,
stands re siPen to Continue tRs tsHS
cable to san Francisco by way OF the Fiji,
Samoan, Tanning, and Hawaiian Islands. and
they have the great advantage OF being al
ready in tho field with 100 miles of Pacific
cable In successful operation. In any event,
the PROSPECT Of speedy completion OF
lucks Gird!s round about the earth by the
supplying o, the one missing link under the
Pacific, seems now most encouraging.
Meantime the British West Indian colonies
are greatly stirred up over the probability that
OF interest in TINT region will lose 10 them and
70 IL the prospective cable from Canada
through the West Indies 10 South America,
already laid from Halifax to the BermudAs. and
now in danger as Is the Pacific cable OF fall
Ing into the hands OF the French. The impe-
rial Government is surely running great risk
Ia refusing to render that assistance to the
company which, under the circumstances
would result In reciprocal benefits OF the most
i'm portant character.
Apart from what may be termed imperial
purposes" says the Kingston, Jamaica
fHedHPr, such a cable would 10 OF great value
I'M neYaoplng tho eommeTcLnl lnterests OF the !