Evening star., 1899-10-10

communication between places where the
maintenance Of telegraph wires would be
could be established op outlying towns and
islands. Passing ships that had the wire
less equipment could Send messages to these
stations and they in turn could send them
to their destinations by the ordinary meth
cd. Vessels could receive messages from
shore and could communicate with one an
other and give warming If in distress. In
this way alone the system would be of in
estimable value. Isl
1.-The cost of equipping vessels with the
Marconi system would not be great. 1t
would be great convenience and a great
safeguard If all ocean liners were provided
with instruments" t5
Possibilities of the System.
Col. Allen James, acting Signal officer in
the absence of General Greely, has also
apparently given the same subject serious
consideration. Discussing the proposed
balloon experiments recently he said:
1.-THE value of wireless telegraphy in
creases the square of distance. Thus, If
message can be sent fifty miles and given
value, for instance, of two. it's dispatch
over 100 miles would make the system
worth four. Should the system operate
satisfactorily over 100 miles, communities
ton by wireless telegraphy could be main
tanned between Key West and Cuba, be-
tween the islands of the Hawaiian group
and between some of the islands of the
Philippine archipelago.
1.-The best results with the system have
thus far been obtained over water No
satisfactory results have been secured over
wooded country. Naturally we are hopeful
that the experiments will show that the
system can be operated on land. 1t viii
communication between operating columns,
between such columns and their base and
between besieged anu their friends. In case
and the necessary appliances will be sent
to Manila
Prof. MarcOnfs Statement.
In recent interview Prof. Marconi was
asked to state the possibilities of his sys-
tenn LAS to the possibilities" said Mr..
Marconi. Il have a great deal Of serious
and hard work to do before I want to say
much about them. l am working now on
system Of electric syntony, by means of
which l can so tune my aerial instruments
that my messages may be directed along
parallel rays and be received only by the
proper instrument. OF course, at the pres
ent time only my own instruments can
receive my messages, but / want to so diff
ferentiate and direct the waves that any
number Of instruments may be used and
each receive different messages. The only
limitation on directed messages would be
the curvature of the earth. directed waves
stopping and undirected waves going on
around. Directed waves would be of great
value in coast signal work. For instance,
a revolving reflection on a dangerous place
would make it's impulse felt within its ra-
dius on any ship fitted with a receiver
How about work land?' was asked.
mo difficulties as to rights of way, he
said, with a laugh. THE system ought 10
be of value in railway use. Collisions could
be prevented, at any rate. In case of war
we could do away with the war balloon
system of signaling from corps to corps
Moreover, the enemy could not cut nor tap
our wires, and find out what we were say
ing. In England the lighthouses are al
ready using the wireless telegraph. My
plan is to have all ships equipped with s.g-
mailing machines and defectors. 1t will
then be possible to send the signaling cur
rents all in one direction instead of broad
cast, as is now done. The defiectors VIII
be revolved about the mast, and as the cur
rents reach the point from which they are
sent to the receiver an Indicator will ring
and the pilot may steer his vessel along
a safe course, being guided by signals from
shore"