New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-06
CABLES FOR THE PHILIPPINES.

TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATIONS TO BE ES-
TABIsHED BETWEEN THE ISLANDS.
Washington. Jan , (speciaD.-Orders were
issued by the War Department to-day 70 Colo
mel Maxheld. of the Signal Corps. to proceed
to NewYork and organize cable detachment
I'm connection with the laying of submarine lines
In the Philippine Islands on account Of the
urgent necessity for a more perfect cable sys-
TEN in the archipelago. emphasized paricu
larly at present In the case of Iloilo with which
II takes nearly two days 10 communicate from
Manila. the War Department has authorized
the manufacture OF two hundred miles Of cable
10 be laid between the different islands Of the
Philippine group. This cable is In process Of
manufacture by the Safety Wire Company. Of
Nev-York CITY, and General Greely expects
It 10 he completed within few weeks. Cen
eral Corbin has instructed Colonel Kimball at
New-York. to secure a vessel suitable for car
rying this cable and its essentials Of equipment
to Manila. but thus far no selection has been
made. although several vessels are under con-
sideratiOn The cable with special machinery,
which s also in tho course Of manufacture. VII
weigh between seven hundred and eight hun
dred tons and will, therefore. require special
vessel TO carry and lay IT, The vessel will be
in charge of expert. who Will superintend
the location ~ the cable system in the different
islands under the direction OF Colonel Maxheld,
who will detail detachment Of the lst and
18th companies Of the Volunteer Signal Corps,
now on duty at Manila to assist him in this
undertaking.
The War Department officials hope to get this
expedition. which will start from New-York and
go by way OF the Suez Canal. off by the first
OF February. so that it will arrive at Manila
fDA q
different cables have been established, and the
land terrnlni decided upon. General Greedy be-
lieves that the actual work of laying the lines
can be accomplished within two weeks. and
he expects 10 have the cables all in good work
ing order by the end Of April
When this system is put into operation every
island in the Philippine group OF any CONNER
cial Importance will be in direct and almost
instant communication with all the others and
with Washington Although there are telegraph
lines covering many Of the islands Themselves
there has never been teegraphc communica-
ton between the different islands. and. in the
opinion of officials of the War Department. the
installation Of these new cables Will be or IN
estimable value to the Army In the field. The
cost OF this enterprise will exceed $lnoW
VIEWS OF THE AsGATIC ASSOCIATION.
Alta meeting OF the American Asiatlc Association,
held Yesterday at the Chamber OF commerce.
Everett Frazar presiding. an amendment TO the
constitution was adopted adding the following 10
the objects for which the association Is organ
,zed
To promote the creation and maintenance OF "a =
consular service OF the United States In Asia ana
I'm Oceanica which shall be founded upon the pru..
cipea OF uniform selection for proved Illness, ot %
regular promotion security OF tenure during good
. rvce and adequate compensation
Resolutions adopted declaring that IN 'he
Judgment OF the association. II would be FOR the
best interests OF both the Philippines ana 'he
United States nrst that a local civil service sys-
tenn should be established based upon entrance
through open competitive examination. tenure Of
office during good behavior, promotion by merit
and adequate compensation; second that the open,
door policy OF customs taxation should be auopttu
on the basis OF "A tariff for revenue only. like that
applied TO Cuba. not exceeding 10 70 y per cent
al valorem customs duties-