New-York tribune., 1899-02-13

President Mcknley's message about a Pa
cifc cable line marks an era in human history.
Up 10 this very last Of the years beginning with
IS the commerce and the mastery of the Pa
cifc. the greatest of all oceans, confronting n
greater population than any other, have never
been found so essential TO civilized nations that
any of them thought II necessary to secure
sure and separate communication by wire with
that region British German. French and Rus
sian news from the Pacific comes by cable and
land lines running through different countries
and under seas dominated by different flags,
and in the time hitherto taken by a message
10 travel from Admiral Dewey 10 President
Mckinley, perhaps three hours il has passed
under the control of half a dozen governments.
Any of them could arrest it. and possibly for
sufficient and decisive time could hold with
out suspicion Of other nations exclusive COM
municatiOn with the Far East II is only with.
in few years that the collapse of China the
Russian railway building through Siberia and
the occupation Of important districts by France
and Germany have made il a question whether
English-speaking nations might not be placed
at hopeless disadvantage in the commerce Of
the East.
Then came Dewey. The younger Anglo Saxon
Power declines 10 be expelled from the traffic
which It's vast Western coast lire requires for
proper development. Yet If the United States
wants any part Of Pacific commerce il must
take not a small and subordinate but con-
trolling share in Eastern affairs. II must he
prepared TO demand opportunities and privileges
equal TO those of any other nation. and that
with power which others will not find il con
venient 10 resist. This becomes possible only
because this Nation fronts on the Pacific. and
has under rs separate and sole control the
islands by which telegraphlc communication
across that great ocean is most practicable and
likewise the rcfitting and cOaling stations which
make possible quick movement OF warships
and troops without dependence on any other
Power. The practical length Of a decpsea
cable is limited. and the United States only can
span the Pacific by wires touching no land
not under its control. European Powers. start
Ing from any point south Of the American b0r-
der must be dependent upon the chaos Of Cen
,ral and South American politics. while Great
Britain would haIS great difficulty in laying
q Pacific cable from the Dominion of Canada
without depending upon territory Of the United
States or Russia. Across Siberia wires are pos
sl0le but II is far in distance and much further
In time from any point that Russia can COM
Inand on the Pacific 10 the ports Of greatest
commercial importance
The United States should not be dependent
upon any other Power whatever, nor upon any
private company, for communication between
the Government and its Pacific possessions. II
will he recognized by every one even by Little
Americans" that this Nation should not con-
tlnue 10 depend for news from its Navy and
Army In the East upon the favor Of England
or France or sundry other Powers. Whenever
II suits the needs Of either Of them. our Gov
eminent can at the instant be cut off from all