The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-03-17
The Cable Will Come.

Tho presentation OF Tour reports on
the proposed Pacific cable does not spell
harmony In the committee. but 1t does
measure to some extent the importance
that the subject has reached in the
minds Of congressman. They do not
disagree ~ to the immediate necessity
Of cable communication across the IA
cinc: they differ only upon the detail
Of public or private ownership. Some
are m favor Of . cable constructed by
private enterprise. with subsidy to
cover TIE cost OF transmitting govern
msnt messages; some are for private
sontrcl without any subsidy. and some
lw . strictly government cable. owned
ara controlled by the nation. The rest
Of the committee. like the cable itself,
appear TO b. 'AIl at sea-"
SO far the propositions deal with a
cable from San Francisco to Honolulu I.
which II Is contemplated 10 extend
southward to the Philippines and then
10 use existing cable connections from
Manila 70 reach Hongkong. This
has present precedence because OF the
enormous political and commercial in
fiucnce OF San Franci~co. which makes
the adoption OF the proper route an up
hill matter Nevertheless. the people of
the North Pacific coast have no reason
TO be discouraged. cable from Seat
tie Is one OF the certainties OF the flu
ture. Nothing can defeat II. 1t Is to
be regretted II congress makes a mis-
take. But neither limited Judgment nor
favoritism nor any other extraneous In
ffuence can rise superior forever to
plain necessity and natural advantage.
II is as II two routes between large
cities without rail communication in
this country lay open, one running over
lofty mountain ranges and deep gorges.
and the other passing by imperceptibie
grades from tide TO tide. No matter
what argument might induce n private
company or the federal government TO
build a line OF railway over the former.
commerce would seek and utilize the
latter.
II has been shown that a cable 5y che
northern route would be only about 60
per cent as long as one following the
circle nearer the equator. IL would
cost only one-fourth or one-nfth rs
much. IL would find an ocean bottom
far better adapted to cable construction
and use. More oogent even than this.
II would seek the line to which trade
Ia gravitating surely and rapidly. The
commerce across the Pacific will prac-
tlcally all be found q few years hence
on the great ocean lanes that stretch
from Puget sound to the shores Of
China and Japan and to the Philippines
1t cannot be diverted. And cable com
municntion must follow the lines ~
trade and tap at either terminus the
oenters OF export and import The ca
bic must come 60 Seattle.
There Il recent and important con O..
nrmation Of this In an interesting and
thoughtful interview published IN the
Post-Inteiilgcncer yesterday. Gen RAN
sail. IN command OF the Department 81
Alaska. touched this subject Herr -
what he says, the opinion OF dsin-
terested mar, one naturally untouched
by local prejudice or predictions looS-
Ing at the situation with an eye that
sees only public advantage and the ire
fistihle logic ~ events.
Scattio IN my 0plnion, e the Port % tNe
Pacific coast. and no stone should 10 len
unturnea 20 secure the Honolulu cable
terminus here
IL Is only a question % time until there
l. a cAhlN from h'AA&R ta Seattle The
work OF Capt. Abercrou,bie ts preliminary
60 thai end once W Ec; Res nSrarh
line IN operation from 81 Michael to
Eagle ana over tNs Aherctou,hie trail "a
values bay. o cable &c Seattle VII te she
next thinS TAts viii - Sa8fy needed
and ! have 10 dcisht viii ultimately b
ha;lt.
Military necessity. geographical usccs-
sity, political necessity. commercial ne.
eesslty are All united Il matters moth,
ing In the long run whA, forces may b.
OF work on the other side. Seattle ala
not reach the commanding emtnenes
that II occupies today because powerful
private influences were at work Ia IS
behalf. We have Wor our utle 90 great.
ness by the hnpresnabIe advantage Of
our position. We are the port q IN,
Pacific coast because the founders Of
this city saw the future clearly, and be.
cause they and their successors Tough
their own battles with uncompromisln.
spirit and fidelity, That which IA.
brought to US the wealth Of sea