The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1901-01-12
WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY.

It seems probable that the commercial
installation of wireless telegraphy Is
near at hand. The STAR while skeptical
about the messages already reported is |
only too anxious for the true success
Of the enterprise The trouble has been
that with us that hope deferred has
made the heart sick
We had heard a great deal about the |
success of wireless telegraphy across
the English channel, and from ships to
the shore. It was said to have worked !
well during the America cup race in
1899. There seemed to be no reason
why it should not work here, and there |
were several people who were consider |
ing it's feasibility for communication
between the Islands, when Mr.. Cross
got first in the field. From the informa-
ton obtainable there did not seem to be !
any great difficulty as to carrying on
communication If only the proper in
struments could be obtained.
over a year ago the instruments and
the men trained to properly install
them were expected, and we were going
to have communication early in 1900.
The plague broke out and Signor Mar
conis men were afraid to risk coming.
The plague ceased and finally they
came. Positions were chosen, posts
were erected. 1t was said that commu-
nication was already going on between
the island stations, We were promised
that everything would be ready by June
IA, admission day, and when that failed
by July 4, certainly. And so it went
on till it finally had to be confessed
that those in charge could not make
the thing work, and recourse had to be
had to another expert. Mr.. Gray came
as a result Of this call.
His inspection of the ground showed
that the poles had been put in the
wrong places and these have been
changed. Then the men who were to
be put in charge of the poles to receive
the messages had to receive special
training from Mr.. Gray. Apparently
the arrangements are now complete and
the working of the system is promised
at almost an immediate date.
The above is a fair outline of the con-
dition OF wireless telegraphy between
the Islands up to date. 1t was like that
celebrated chapter upon snakes in Ire
land. Every one hopes that the INSTALL
alton will be successful II 1t is sue
cessful here it will at once become in
demand among countless places on the
earth's surface, and will prove invalu-
able to people living on islands adj
Jacent to mainland coasts, which at pre-
sent have not even cable communica-
tion.
In this matter, however, there are
Things which are not clear. Why was
the first installation between the islands
failure? How was it that the wrong
positions for the posts were chosen in
the first instance? Why had the men
sent out at first to be instructed in
details Of their work by an expert who
had TO be appealed to after the first
failure? These certainly are questions
which must occur to everyone.
1t has been extremely disappointing
TO the community of the Territory to
read of successful communications
across the channel between England
and France, to read of communications
between light ships and the shore, and
to hear that there is a possibility of the
wireless system being able to span the
Atlantic from Europe to America. II
mas always seemed as IL Marconi, per-
sonally took little or no direct interest
In the practical commercial test of his
invention in the Pacific. Why he should
not do so has certainly puzzled those
who have followed up the history of the
discovery.
or course there is always the hypo-
thesis, which has been put forward be-
fore now, that 1t has been made to the
interest Of Marconi, by the telegram
companies, not to perfect his invention.
rms, one can hardly believe, but of
course 1t Is possible. Another view ia
that the invention is far from perfect
and that though 1t works sometimes.
at others 1t does not work. This also
Is possible. However, a few days ought
TO settle the matter as far as these ISL
ands are concerned. Mr.. Gray has COM
pleted his preparations, has trained his
men, and we shall now soon learn
whether wireless telegraphy is to be the
boon we all have hoped for, or whether
1t Is an Elusive dream. mere scientific
toy wonderful, but commercially use-
Iess' The Star hopes for the best.
------------