The Indianapolis journal., 1902-08-31
A TALK WITH MARC0NI
PROMISES SOON TO SEND WIRELESS
DISPATCHES $500 MILES.
working on Scheme to Prevent CoIIi-
sions at Sea-Says Germans Stole
His Idea.

Correspondence OF the indianapolis Journal.
KEEL, Aug. 15.-Your correspondent met
Marconi on board of his Majestys cruiser
Carlo Alberto, lying at anchor here, and
obtained from him an interesting statement
regarding the German system of wireless
telegraphy, which, he says, is piratical
undertaking founded on his own invention
and boldly stolen from him under false pre-
tensions by the aid of letter of introduc-
ton from the German Emperor.
But before talking business Marconi
would have his say on his meeting with the
Car.
Emperor Nicholas" he cried, sis the
most amiable man L ever met, and certainly
the best intentioned monarch in the world.
He is likewise a man of vast practical
knowledge, not book knowledge so much,
as genuine wisdom gained from his inter
course with well-informed men in all classes
of life.
while was with him, never once had
the feeling of talking to a sovereign, the
mightiest in the universe. In all he did
and said he impressed me like progressive
private citizen bent upon doing much
good as is possible for one man to accom-
phsh.
Several times when we walked from one
room to the other, L had to precede his
Majesty upon his own wish, delicately but
firmly expressed. At first it made me feel
quite ashamed of myself but 1 certainly
couldn't help it. After you, signor,' the
Car used to say.
Il beg your Majestys pardon. inventors
come a long way after Emperors."
Nay, nay, signor; you are a guest in my
house; pray you to go ahead"
"REMINISCENCES SIDETRACKED.
Your correspondent had mentioned the
name Slaby several times before Marconi
would sidetrack his Russian "reminiscences.
When at last he caught on he cried: "Ah.
Slaby; don't remind me of that man! He
is responsible for many of the troubles
am encountering.
Just think of it, Slaby, beg pardon, Pro
fessor' Siaby, visited me at my hotel in
England, bringing a letter of introduction
from whom do you suppose, Siemens &
Halske or Krupp? No, from the Kaiser!
Consequently treated him like a FRIEND
of the Kaiser who, on his part, is my own
Kings ally. Though aware that Slaby is
an inventor, or would-be inventor, nc
shadow of suspicion with regard to the pur-
pose of his visit entered my mind. l trusted
him, because l had faith in the Emperor.
What do l do? / turn myself inside out
show him everything, explain everything
TO him, Kaiser Wilhelm's friend! What
does he do? He goes home, changes his
court dress for the overalls of the mechanic
and industrial and takes out patent OF
my invention. a German patent, it is true
but a patent for all that.
II allowed myself TO be buncoed, but it's
a good lesson. Hereafter not a word to
anybody about my inventions until they
are patented in all countries, including
Kamschatka-no one shall get a sight OF
my apparatus, no, not even a smell OF
them, and if he brought letters of intro
duction from-what shall 1 say?-from the
| devil himself"
Have you computed your probable
losses on account of the Slaby patent?
asked the correspondent.
They are not overwhelming, replied
Marconi with a sarcastic smile; "once be-
cause the Marconi Telegraph Companies in
New York and London foot the bill, and
again, because the Slaby apparatus is n. 6" "
do the companies named own all your
rights in the invention?"
mot all; they control the rights in all