The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-05-21
BRITISH PACIFIC CABLE.
ENGLlND PRACTICALLY DECLINES TO
HELP THE COL ONIEs.

@"N hbO W. NV
Subsidy OF 500 900 n Year II Necessary
New Kind of Color Photography.
LONDON. May 13.-Ths definite refusal Of
the British Government to share with the
colonies the cost Of the construction OF an
all British Pacific cable 10 an intimation
from so enthusiastic an imper.alist az Mr..
Chamberlain that there Is q point where
sentiment must be set aside and busin ess
looked to. The offer OF an annual SUBJ
sidy OF 100000 for q period not exceeding
twenty years is the furthest the London Gov
ernmsnt will 20. The official correspondence
issued this week dates from August. 1893.
after the conference Of Australian Premiers.
whom 1t was agreed that II Great Britain and
Canada would toRe ther agree to pay Ave-
ninths Of the cost and New Zealand one-ninth.
then New South Wales. Queensland and VIC
toria would each contribute one.ninth. The
ew.Zealand Government agreed In Novem-
Dor to nay one-ninth. aud added a remarkable
proposal. that the maximum rates for ordinary
messages should be three shillinRs a word
from Great Britain to New Zealand for Gov
eminent messages. two shillinRs a word. and
for press messages one shilling a word and
six shillings a hundred words. The last fR-
ure seems Incredible. but IL stands 80 in the
official correspondence. Late In December
the Canadian Government agreed to pay its
half Of the fve-ulnths. and 1t only remained
for the British Colonial Office and the Treas
ury to take up their share here for the CON-
struction OF the cable to be assured. But this
| they have refused to do and their decision
which Is dated April 28. 1909. 10 interesting
and important enough to give In full. IL
is a circular letter. addressed to the Agents
General In London Of all the colonies con-
cerned In the cable and reads:
II am directed by Mr.. Secretary Chamber
| Iat. 81 -. Nr - vN,, khn lnatatNn Ne -hfah hAr
Majesty's Government have arrived as to the
form and extent OF the assistance which they
are prepared to give to the scheme for con-
Meeting Canada with Australia by q direct
submarine cable across the Pacific. I am to
remind you that in the various communica-
tions which have been from time to time ad-
dressed to the Colonial Governments on this
subject her Majesty's Government have never
concealed their opinion that the construction
OF 4 Pacific cable is "a matter OF much greater
importance to Australasia and Canada than to
the United Kingdom. and they would not have
themselves been disposed to recommend Par
lament 70 aid II but for their desire to afford
The support and assistance OF the mother coun-
try 10 her great self-governine colonies in q
project the success OF which cannot fail to
promote imperial unity.
For this reason they consider that the re-
sponslbility for constructing and working the
cable should be borne BY the Governments Of
Canada and Australasia. to whom any profits
which may hereafter accrue from the under
taking would consequently foil: and that the
aid to be given by the United Kingdom should
take tho form Of an annual subsidy, which has
hitherto been adopted by Parliament In pro-
noting the establish nent OF important lines
OF teleRraphic communication between differ
emit parts OF the empire.
In considering the question her Majesty
Government have had regard to the report OF
tho committee OF 1897. Tho estimates OF ini-
~tial:cost and annual expenses put forward by
that committee were Ell 100000 for original
cost and E144. SOC for total annual expenses.
Against this il was Anticipated. on the basis OF
the latest returns available. that the traffic re-
ceipts in the first year would amount to s132.-
900. Leaving deficit OF f12.9OO diminishing
annually until II ceases altogether at tho end
Of the third year. 1t is not. however. possible
to act with certainty on these: estimates. for
the prices OF materials have risen since they
were made. and in other respects the cost OF
establishing the cable may possibly exceed the
estimate Of the committee. Her Majesty's
Government have accordingly decided to offer.
for a period not exceeding twentylyears. an an
nual subsidy. calculated on the basis shown
below, not exceeding q maximum limit OF
f2O.OO0 In any year. on the following condi-
lions:
Il. That the Canadian and Australasian
Governments undertake to construct the limo,
and to provide In each year any further SUM
that may be necessary for Its efficient main
tenance and working.
"2. That the subsidy runs only from the
opsning.of the cable for traf1c. and so long as
il IL 80 open, with the allowance OF a reason.
able time for repairs In the event of Interrupt
ton OF communication.
"3. That the. cable Is. in accordance with q
specif cation and samples to DO approved by
the Treasury and tosthe satisfaction Of an Off.
Ger appointed by the Treasury for that pur'
pose, CONSTRUCTED. submerged In proper work.
ing order. and established with proper sta
tions and offices at such places as the Treas
ury may approve. and effectually worked with
a sufficient staff OF proper and efficient OIL
GERS. being British subjects.
II. That messages OF the imperial Govern
ment are transmitted in priority to all othel
messages at rates not exceeding one-half o
those charged to the general public.
"5. That all rates charged to the general pub
lie, whether for messages to. from or between
intermediate stations. or for through mes
sages between this country. Australia and New
Zealand are approved BY the Treasury.
II. That an account. duly certified ant
audited. is rendered annually to the Treasury
I as soon as possible a1ter tne anniversary o
the opening OF the cable sho wing-ta) The ne
traffic receipts in the past year for messenger
sent over the line after the deduction Of none!
paid out for the further transmission OF mes
sages on other lines. t) The expenses in
Cured In the same year. including interest
sinking fund. maintenance and repairs AnC
working expenses. The Treasury will caus
this account to be duly examined and will pa
over 10 such person as the associated Govern
ments OF Canada and the Australasian Colonie
may nominate in their behalf FIVE sighteenth
Of tho amount by which the net receipts show
by this account. after examination, shall fa
short OF the amount OF the expenses. subiec
to the maximum limit named above.
~. That the cable is worked In accordanc
with the international telegraph convention
Of st. Petersburg OF the 10th t22d) July. 1879
and the regulations In force for the time beinl
hereunder.
Her Maiesty's Government trust that tn
, liberal arrangement proposed will meet tn
Vows OF the colonies and that It will be &C