The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-08-21
THE CABLE CODES.
One Word May he Made to Mean
Two Hundred


In consequence of the enormous charges
for the transmission of long-distance sub
marine messages the commercial COM
mUnity has adopted and greatly develop
ed the use of code language. This con-
specified languages. But there are codes
consisting of a great number of made-up
word unknown to any tongue. BY such
system, which is not always fair to cable
companies, about ten or more words on
the average can be sent by paying for
one only. According to a mercantile tele-
graphic code ebfore US, the undermen-
toned words indicate, for submarine tele-
graph purposes. the sentences of phrases
, Immediately following them. namely:
Elgin e.. Every article is of good
quality that we have shipped to you.
! Standish O.. Unable TO obtain any
/ advance on bills of lading.
Penistonic .. Cannot make offer
! Name lowest price you can sell at
/ COalville @. Give immediate atten-
4 ton to my letter.
Fortar q. AT the moment of going to
press We receiS ed the following.
! Strange 10 say, the word "unholy" has
been transmitted by the submarine cable
/ to express no less than 100 words. and
another English word TO indicate more
I than 200.
! The cable companies do not, however
object to the use of proper words. no
matter how extensive their arranged
meaning is but TO words unknown to
any language The additional time re-
CURED to cable the latter. and the
trouble they give the operator, is very
great and annoying.
In defense of this code practice It is
urged that without ii the cost of tele-
graDhy would be 80 immensely increas-
ed that the commercial men doing a small
business would not be able to avail
! themselves of the cables TO a 1.-THE of
the extent they now do. and that the
: worlds commerce would be diminished
and severely injured.
The use of cables which cannot be
adequately protected from severance in
war times is matter likely to engage
increased attention. In case of hostili-
ties arising with a strong maritime
power 1t might involve most serious
consequences if we were cut off from
foreign news or could not regulate oui
business affairs in the manner we have
been accus -omed to. Much business
would naturally be prevented and de-
layed, and d plorable failures would
occur in the case of countries with for
eign possessions to protect these posses
sions from attack by the enemy.
At the las5 international telegraph
/ conference a clause was adopted in ar.
ticle Is of the convention, agreed to BY
the representatives of about twenty
powers. that the stipulations of the
treaty do not in any respect restric
the freedom of action of belIigerents.
whereby the cutting of cables durine
war is greatly encouraged.
Recent reductions in the tariff charg,
for telegraphic messages, and especial
ly those for the press have been mucl
appreciated, and further reductions ar,
expected in the near future. a schem,
has been proposed on more than on.
occasion for the taking over by IN,
governments of the world of the cables
owned by submarine cable companies
and placing their management unde1
an international council, represented b,
/ the different nations. II is naintaine,
that If the cables become cosmopolitan
property the number of lines can b.
/ increased to any extent, and the charg
for transmission so reduced as TO max
the foreign trade of the world an ex
tended home trade, alike common to al
nations.