The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1902-02-17
.F0RAPAeIFICCABLE
Measure Reported Favorine
Government Ownership.
RECOMMENDED BY GENERAL GREEDY.
Annexation Of Hawaii and Acuuisf.
ton Of Philippine and Other Is
lands Requires Rapid Means
of Comm un icattOn.

tion OF Philippine and Other Is
lands Requires Rapid Means
Of Communication.
WASHINGTON. Feb 1.-THE re.
port filed today by the house commit.
zee on interstate and foreign commerce
recommending the passage of the bill
introduced by Representative Corliss
providing for government ownership
OF Pacific cable says that the United
States by the annexation Of Hawaii
ana the acquisition Of the Philippines
ana other islands through the ratitica.
ton OF the Paris treaty assumed the
responsibility Of maintaining peace in
the Pacific ocean. This obligation the
report which was prepared by Rep
resentative COrliss. the author of the
Dill, says. was deliberately undertaken
by this country and approved by the
united voice of the people, 1t adds:
The future peace and prosperity OF
these islands will largely depend upon
the facilities extended by our govern
Ment for the advancement and enlight-
eminent of the people there. II we are
to continue in control of these islands,
the people must be made to understand
The character and purpose of our gov
eminent and to feel the benefits of en-
nghtened civilization and American
liberty. This can be accomplished
through the medium Of cable conuu-
nlcati0ns. The advancement Of our
own people and the benefit of rapid
communication through the telephone.
telegraph and railway lines illustrate
Inc advantages and the progress that
may he achieved through cable mes.
sagcs.''
Regarding government ownership of
cables. Mr.. Corliss says that England
Tor NIFTY years has been constantly az
Q'lrlHK. by purchase and construction.
cablc communication with her vast
possessions until sh" has expended ND
ward of SlOo,OOu.UU for this PURPOSE
ana operates her own cables connect
ing her colonies. England is now con
slructing Il Pacific cable from VAN
collNer u. e.. 10 Australia III Il cost of
nearly &.Mn0.'hn and in order to giv,
her irnd"smrn ana munut;lcl,,rueD4hr
ptheht OF this communication at the
least possible expense, has fixed a rate
OF = HhIl!lnss. or ~ cents, per word for
cable messages from Vancouver 10
New Zealand.
France. Germany and other nations
ar" not sleeping upon their rights. as
he people of the United States have
h"rI, comments Mr.. torliss. but are
government, lrlcuruphic !
communication with their respective |
nrs>-SSionS
Il therefore contend tina, the Pacific |
.ahIr should be owned. controlled, and !
operated by the government Of ,he
iil1"u States. II should he made hy
IN American manufacturer laid by an
american ship Under the American tiay
ina operated at actual roSt for the dis.
'"llination Of knowledge. the proper
ilrr'li0n Of "ur army and navy and
h" advancement Of our trade and com
nrrrr in The Pacific
GENERAL. GREEIY'S OPINION,
General freely. chief Of the signal
service OF the war department. who
iaS charge OF the ielegraphic lines
'"n"i by The government and who has
'lN'i1 the subject careful consideration
md constructed several hundred miles
II rHbl" under the control of tho war
department. the report says. estimates
he "utirr cost Of Il Pacific cable. in
'''h'hs ships and all possible rontin-
''n"ies, al $lo,nUo,O0O and places the
nnHal expenses at $5250OO. His judp.
I"ih Is confirmed by The opinion Of
i"ar Admira! X. Il. Bradford, chief of
Il" bureau of equipment Of llc navy.
'ohr'"i" survey has been made by
llf navy 1T the rApcnS" Of at least half
inI!li"n dollars To nllr people and
'''I'" established extending from CALI
rrliA to Hawaii. Guam Wake or Mid.
hV ana the Philippine Islands There
No longer any d"rlb, az to the urar
liability Of this project from II tcch.
zeal and engineering point Of view.
IN conclusion the report says: Every
art II the world has been enlightened
y cable lines except the Pacific ocean
bis vast body of water under ,hc
'mf" I" our own government. seems
; b" the one dark spot upon the face
the earth, and for the want of ~
able tn" gem Of the Pacific, the In.
'hlI"h Islands. Il part of oar own
Jun'ry. are left in darkness uov,u