Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-05-21
WIRES IN THE PHILIPPINES
PROGRESS MAP OF THE SIGNAL
CORPS TELEGRAPH.
Long Stretches of Cable to he Sup
plemented by Short Land
Lines Possible.

A new progress map of signal corps tcle-
graph lines and cables in the Philippines.
just prepared under the direction of Gen.
A. W. Greedy. is Of special interest at this
time. 1t shows not only the system as it
existed on March II, but also projected
| military telegraph lines and cables now in
process OF construction.
Telegraphic communication between Ma
/ Mia and the south has been entirely depen-
dent upon the English cable to the Visayan
islands of Panay, Negroes and Cebu. This
cable, which was broken by an eart,lauake
or April IA. has not yef been repaired and
the long interruption emphasizes the great
military Importance of the alternate telH-
graphic route to the southern islands from
Manila. which is now being constructed by
the signal corps. The system recommend
ed by Gen. Macarthur has been fully APP
proved by Secretary Root. and Will be
pushed to rapid completion.
A signal cable has already been laid frora
Cebu to Leyte and is being extended east
ward to Samar and northward to Luzon, via
the Island of Masbate.
The Military Scheme.
The military scheme is to have long
stretches of cable supplemented by 80 short
land lines as possible. SO to insure the
greatest possible freedom from hostile ia
reference with communications. The MILL
tary Geographic system to Cebu, via Sa-
mar. WILL as soon the English cable IS
repaired. afford Gen. Macarthur Two routes
by which to reach garrisoned poSts in the
department of the Nisayas. The extension
southwark looks to the connection by ca
b!es of the very important islands nf Cebu.
Leyte and Mindanao. The latter island
will be reached by a combined svsteal of
land lines and cables. via cables from Ne
gros. and thus all garrisons on tiat great
island will be in speedy communication.
Ultimately, 1t is expected that Mindanao
will be connected by cable via Zamllaorga
with Jolo, and the latter with the Taui Taui
group.
This telegraphic system will he a most
important factor in the pacification of the
entire archipelago. and being open to busi-
ness men, under proper regulations. will
afford means of communication never be-
fore enjoyed by those islands. The mill
tary value of the lines is exceedingly great.
as they make possible the placing and
handling of troops to such advantages, and
permit such instant action that local dis
turbances have no chance to attain serious
Proportions. A complete telegraph system
Will be an important factor toward a ma
terial reduction of our forces without en-
dangering our military supremacy.
The Southern system.
1t is expected that the entire Visayan
group will be connected by military line be-
fore July. and that the southern system of
cables and land lines will be in operation
by the end of the rainy season. The ex
tent and magnitude of the telegraph and
cable operations of the signal corps in the
Philippines is hardly realized known.
There are 100 first-class telegraph offices.
manned by nearly 2GD skilled operators.
who handle by telegraph on the. Island of
Luzon alone about :sno."N words each day.
In addition. there are about 800 long dis
lance telephone stations in operation in
various parts of the archipelago.
The work of the signal corl.s when COM
pleted will stretch through nearly IA de-
grees of latitude. Six signal corps cables
are now in operation. and in all probability
the cables and land lines. which were 300
miles in length March 81, will aSgre-
gate at present 2,lD miles. While some
branches are for strictly military purposes
the most of these lines are permanent
structures. which will have a very impor-
tant bearing in the development of the
trade relations of the various islands.