The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-01-13
PREEcE ON MARcoNI.
wireless Teiegraphy Not Comparable With
Subma rEne Cables

Sir William Preece. the eminent aIac-
triclan, was interviewed today by a st,
JameSS Gazette representative on thn
achievement of Marconf In sending wire
less messages across the Atlantic. Sir
William said he never doubted the posst
piifty Of placing America and England in
communication by means of wireless tel
egraphy.
60. In some of my papers," he pointed out
nave expressed the conviction that
slshaIs could be sent to Mars If there be
any sIy one on It. Reminded that he had
1LHoWn some doubt on the signals which
MI Marconl transmitted a year ago he
tween Cornwall and the American CONT
nent SIR William replied: What l said
been reproduced by atmospheric EFFECTS
and there was nothing conclusive AT the
time to show that it had not been. 4
SlghaI not 50 open to this objection might
nave been chosen for the purpose of dem
onstratlon, That it was possible to send
such a signal never questioned T am
not IN the least surprised that messages
nave been sent across the Atlantic The
puzzLng point to me is why Marconf has
not done 1t sooner, in view of the length
OF time he has been engaged on expert
Speaking Of the probable effects of the
acnlevement on biography generally, Sir
william was emphatic in declaring that in
his opinion wireless telegraphy would new
er come into serious competition with fine
submarine cables.
but" the interviewer interrupted Asthe
cable companies are reported TIC be dis
turbed In consequence of Mr.. Marcor1fs
latest effort!'
odd women shareholders, perhaps" re-
What are the principle obstacles in
your opinion. Sir William, to wireless tel
egraphy becoming an important factor in
our system of communication"
In the first place there is a want of re-
liability in connection with wireless tel
egraphy- 1t IS possible to tap every Wire
less messag
Probably you observed, Sir William
that such possibility was denied on be-
half of Marconi?''
TO my knowledge three stations were
tapped. and / have not the slightest
doubt that tapping is possible at every
station. In these circumstances there can
be- no privacy, which is essential in COM
munication. Another obstacle to wire
less biography being largely used for
commercial purposes is the low rate of
speed at which messages under such a
with the cables Over the new Atlantic
cables messages can be sent at the rate
of 100 words a minute
over one cabfe?'
as that the speed in actual practice. on
an average?'
words a minute by hand and ninety words
by automatic means am speaking now
OF the new cables. This rate Of speed is
not possible over the old cables but the
latter are being done away with and new
ones substituted"
Don't you think it is possible to get Up
such speed with the wireless teleg-
raphy?'
Anything is possible with electricity
but there is no immediate prospect Of
wireless telegraphy competing with the
cables as regards speed
"Then do 1 understand you to Think Sir
William, that wireless biography viii
never be practicable as an important
means of communication %
ssThat's my view: it will never stand.
comparison with the cables. st. James's
Gazette.