New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-11-10
height was discovered. and a reasonable level road
around this was found.
QUESTION FOR CONGRESS-


The physical practcaby of the line being now
assured beyond doubt it only remains for Congress
10 weigh the military necessities and the COM
mercial advantages to from the construc-
ton and operation of the system. 1t was repre-
scented TO Congress its last session that the reve
TO be expected from Pacific cable would not
attract private capital unless 1t had connection
with Australia Japan and China. well with
San Francisco Honolulu and Manila. For that
reason 1t deemed indispensable that the United
States should Kusaie Strong's Island in
the Caroline group. or cable landing right there
10 insure the working Of loop to Australia The
absence of this may deter any corporation from
undertaking the operation of a cable across the
Pacific without heavy subsidy!
The disposition to have an AriiFfican cable line to
Manila has probably become too strong for Con-
gress TO resist and purely as military safeguard.
aside from the enormous business that must come
with the further growth OF American trade in the
East it is believed that the new line of COM
municaton will be established under Government
ownership before the end of another year.
ADMIRAL BRADFORD's ACCOUNT.
In his annual report to the Secretary of the
Navy which made public to-day Rear Adj
miral Bradford. Chief OF the Bureau Of Equipment.
having charge of naval cable matters says on this
subject:
cable was established between San Francisco and
Honolulu some years In order to continue the
pines. the United states steamer Nero r1e under
Commander Charles Belknap, United States
equipped for deep sea exploration at the navy
yard. Mare Island. during the early part of the
purchased COR use during the late war. and on ac-
count Of her great steaming radius was admirably
adapted 10 make the survey. After careful con-
sderation of the subject It was decided that the
pine Islands was by way Of the Midway Islands
and Guam. landing the cable d convenient point
the latitude Of Maaila II was also decided as de-,
srable TO survey a route from Guam to Yokohama.
pared; The plan OF the survey. which is repre-
earTyne on d ynf Ines sna k Consist IN
nate intervals Of ten and two knots. from Honolu-
thence to Luzon. and also from Guam to Japan.
The return course to be pursued is zigzag line
Side OF the route followed in going to the west.
ward with soundings at intervals Of twenty knots
The Nero or sailed ron San FranGscq for Homo
commence her work on May G. on May
z. she had completed single line Of soundings
by August TO Luzon.
.. Along this which is 1872 knots in length,
the bottom soil and the temperature of the
ton. end these, together with the meteorological
record Of the frequent observations OF specific
the ocean. besides their value in laying a sub
marine cable will form an important contribution
Two Offsets from the projected great circle
route between the Midway Islands and Guam
10 a successful laying and operation of tele-
graph cable The first of these obstacles
countered is submarine mountain situated
short distance westward OF the Midway Islands.
and rising from the floor Of the ocean which here
sinks 30 a depth OF 200 fathoms. TO within 50
fathoms Of the surface The second obstacle is
one Of the deepest submarine abysses YET found
in the world. situated about 800 miles eastward OF
Guam and sinking 10 depth of more than 1900
fathorns. Reports have been received of the pre-
liminary Inc Of soundngs from Honolulu to Luzon.
and they indicate that the route which Is being sur
veyed will prove entirely practicable. No reports
OF the soundings taken the return trip or of any
soundings from Guam TO Yokohama have been re-
ceved. The expenses OF this survey, so far as
this Bureau is concerned have been entirely de-
frayed from its current appropriations.
FURTHER SURVEYS TO BE MADE.
A map of the cable route is given with the
port. To secure more information about the Mid
way Islands Admiral Bradford rs fitting out
the ocean gong. twin screw naval tug 1roquois.
with surveying apparatus at Honolulu. 10 make
a thorough examination Of the reefs surrounding
that small midocean archipelago AT the
time the Yosemite is making exhaustive In
vesiigation Of Guam. and the Bennington. which
is equipped with surveying outfit, will chart the
coast Of Luzon. near Dlngaan Bay, where II Is
proposed TO land the Manila end of the cable.