The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-02-17
SCRYMSER'S PLAN.
A Government Cable to Hon lulu and
Corporation Cable From There On.

New York, Feb Thames A. Scrym-
ser, president of the Pacific Gable COM
pany of New York, has returned to
this city from a trip of several months
duration in the far east, where he has
been investigating the possibilities of
the construction of an American trans
Pacific cable. Mr.. Scrymser made some
interesting statements regarding the
Pacific cable question and President
McKinley'S message to congress on the
subject
The presidents message set forth the
urgency of having direct communica-
ton with the far east and particularly
with the American possessions there.
He suggested the construction and
maintenance of a cable line, by either
the government or an American corpor-
ation-if by the latter under such safe
guards as congress might impose" but
he said, Il do not mean to make any
recommendations to congress as to
which of these methods would be the
most desirable
Mr.. Scrymser said: ct have observed
that a third suggestion has been made,
that there be a combination govern
ment and corporation line between the
United States and the Philippines, which
I understand has been favored by the
American Hawaiian commissioners
namely, a. United States government
cable line to Honolulu and an American
corporation cable to the Philippines,
China, Japan and Australia. This lat
ter scheme would be case of putting
private capital between the devil and
the deep sea-"
Mr.. Scrymser went on to explain how
the Eastern Gable company, an English
corporation, by reason of vested rights,
would have a monopoly as far as tele-
graphic cables are concerned of the en-
tire Asiatic coast and all Pacific islands
now owned by Spain or formerly under
the jurisdiction of that country until the
year 1870 He was of the opinion that
no American cable company, or the
United States government, could obtain
Ia M 1t2dTOnaS.
pines, at Hong Kong or at any point on
the ASiatic coast without OBTAINING the
consent of the Eastern Telegraph COM
pany With reference to the action OF
the secretary of state in disappearing
on December 20 last the rights granted
prior to annexation by the Hawaiian
government to the Pacific Gable COM
pany which authorized the company to
lay cables from Honolulu eastward,
Scrymser said: ''It would have af-
forded a working basis for an adjust
ment of landing rights founded on re-
ciprocity. In the nature of things, it is
clear that the Eastern Telegraph COM
pany does not want any Pacific cable
established and it will not consent to
any impairment of it's rights unless
fully compensated in a manner that
will safeguard its existing interests
1.-The Pacific cable company is strong
ly of the opinion that if it can secure
the necessary concessions from the
United States government it can induce
the Eastern Telegraph company to con-
slider a fair business proposition, eS-
pecially when the British company sees
that it will be to it's future advantage"
Mr.. Scrymser was of the opinion that
should the United States undertake to
establish a government cable serious
international complications would arise.
1t is doubtful, he said, if China, Japan
or Australia would permit the United
States government to operate cable
within it's jurisdiction. The great cost
to the government of constructing and
Operating such ca BILE, he added, would
make it highly impracticable.
1.-The political situation in the east"
said Mr.. Scrymser, sis exceedingly pre-
carious. No one knows what may hap
pen there at any moment Connection
with the Philippines may be cut off
without notice at any time. The Jap
anese realize, too, that war between
China and Russia would isolate them
from the rest of the world and they are
anxious that the United States govern
ment should act promptly
The Pacific Gable company has had
bill before congress for some time ask
ing for cable concessions in the Pacific.