Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1899-02-17
CABLE ACROSS
THE PACIFIC
Mr.. ScrymSer Has Been on a
Long Trip.
INVESTIGATING THE MATTER
Makes Some Interesting Statements in
Regard to the Feasibility
of the Scheme.
V ESTIGATING THE MATTER

New York, Feb. Thames A. Scrym-
ser, president of the Pacific Cable COM
pany of New York has returned to this
city from a trip of several months dura-
ton in the far east where he has been
investigating the possibilities of the con-
struction of an American trans-Pacifc
cable. Mr.. Scrymser made some interest
ing statements regarding the Pacific ca
BILE question n President McKinley's
message set forth the urgency of having
direct communication with the far east
and suggested that the construction and
maintenance of a line by either the gov
rnment or an American c~orporation-if
by the latter, under UGH safeguards as
congress might impose" but he said, Il
do not mean to make any recommended
tons to congress as to which Of these
methods would be the most ble."
Mr.. Scrymser said:
II have observed that a third sugges-
ton has been made, that there be a COM
bination government and corporation line
hetween the United States and the Phil
ippines which / understand has been ia
vored by the American-Hawaiian COM
missioners, namely a United States gov
| eminent cable line to Honolulu and an
AAAAAS - y w SooA y IN = iiA
ippines, China, Japan and Austria. This
latter scheme would be a case of putting
private capital between the devil and the
| deep sea-"
Mr.. Scrymser went on to explain how
the eastern cable company, an English
corporation would have a monopoly as
far as Geographic cables are concerned
of the entire Asiatic coast and all Pa
cific and now owned by Spain or form
erly under the jurisdiction of that coun-
try until the year 1910. He was Of the
opinion that no American cable company
or the government could obtain landing
rights in the Ladrones, Philippines, at
Hong Kong or at any point on the Asia
tic coast without obtaining the consent
of the Eastern Telegraph company.
With reference to the action of the sec
rotary of state in disappearing on Dec
80 last the rights granted prior to an
nexation by the Hawaiian government tC
the Pacific cable company, which author
lied the company to lay a cable from
Honolulu eastward, Mr.. Scrymser said
"It would nave afforded a working ba-
sis for an adjustment of landing rights
founded on reciprocity. In the nature Of
things it is clear that the Eastern Tele-
graph does not want a Pacific
cable established and it will not consent
to any impairment Of it's rights unless
fully compensated in a manner that will
SdltS udIu u cAISllHS l. a
cific Cable company is strongly of the
opinion that if it can secure the necessary
concessions from the United States gov
eminent it can induce the Eastern Tele-
graph mpan to make a fair PROPOSE
ton especially when the British company
sees that it will be to it's future advan
tage.
Mr.. Scrymser was of the opinion thai
should the United States undertake to
establish a government cable serious com
plications would arise. 1t is doubtful, he
said, if China, Japan or Australia would
permit the United States government t.
operate a cable within it's jurisdiction
The great cost to the government of con
structing and operating such a cable, he
added, would make it highly impractical
BILE.
1.-The political situation in the east
said Mr.. Scrymser, lis exceedingly pre-
c~arious. Nc one knows what may hap
pen there at any moment. Connection
with the Philippines may be cut off with
out notice at any time. The japanese
realize too that a war between China an(
Russia would isolate them from the res
of the world and they are anxious tina
the United States government should &C
promptly. The Pacific Gable cognpan,
has had a bill before the ongre fol
some time asking for cable concession:
in the Pacific"