The Washington times., 1903-09-03
international Telegraphy
Conference at Berlin
Reaches important De-
cision in Regard to Radio
grams.
Coast Stations Must Receive
and Transmit kilograms,
Without Distinction as to
the System Employed.

Wireless telegraph companies are in
the same class with other telegraph
companies. They are common carriers
and must. therefore. receive from any
source and transmit 10 all points any
dispatches offered.
Such is the conclusion reached by the
Berlin International Wireless Teleg-
raphy Conference. which was attended
by Gen. A. w. Greedy, L. S. A. and
other representatives OF the United
States
Germany, Great Britain. France. Rus
sia, Austria Hungary, Italy. Spain, and
the United States participated in the
Berlin conference
Work of Congress.
On August II the congress adopted a
protocol of eight articles as groundwork
OF general treaty, all of them being
OF minor interest except the following.
Coast stations are obliged TO receive
and transmit kilograms going or reIuIn-
ing from ships, without distinction as to
the system of wireless telegraphy en-
ployed by the ships" Under this rule
were termed at the conference. are TO
be placed in the category of merchan-
disc. and radiOgraph corporations. as
common carriers, compelled TO cooper
ale IN delivering them at their destina-
ton Other sections OF the protocol
relate TO definitions. TO minor details
and TO extending the rules of the St
petersburg telegraphic convention. to
which the United States Is not a party.
TO wireless communications.
The congress dealt solely with pacific
conditions, recognizing that each nation
would take care of its own wireless
messages in time of war. In this con
nection it became known that Germany
as war measure, was prepared TO take
care of her own coast by sending such
powerful Interference waves from Hell
goland as would prevent any enemy
from carrying on any communication
in the North Sea. and that all the Eu-
ropean powers were ready to exercise
absolute control over all wireless sta
tions within their own borders.
Aimed at Monopoly.
The common carrier declaration.
which Is aimed against monopoly. was
adopted az the instance OF the American
delegates. who were familiar with tie
United States statutes and Supreme
Court decisions on that general princI-
pie. and was warmly espoused by all
the delegates except those from Great
Britain and Italy, who pleaded lack of
authority in their Instructions. Ii is
significant that these are the only two
countries welded to the Marconi sys-
TEN.
AT the opening of the sessions the
United States delegation presented the
following declaration, which virtually
governed all subsequent proceedings,
the whole conference taking no action
which failed 10 conform 10 its provis-
ions:
The delegates from the United States
desire TO express in general terms their
opinion as TO the scope and extent Of
international action now advisable IN
formulating regulations for wireless
telegraphy.
..Recognizing the inchoate state OF the
service OF. wireless telegraphy. il is our
firm conviction that detailed regulations
are impracticable. and that this con
ference should confne It's action 10 the
formulation OF general resolutions.
While embodying therein such principles
as viii insure the greatest advantages 10
the commerce and trade OF the world.
care should be taken TO avoid interfer-
ence with the development OF wireless
teIegraphy-
As 10 Shore Stations.
"A broad distinction exists between
shore stations. which are entirely with
in national jurisdiction, and ship sta
tlons on the high seas, beyond the plen-
airy exercise OF such control Inasmuch
as the Interchange OF ship signals under
the international code is not obligatory,
though recognized as commercially
important. II seems 10 US inadyIsable.
for the present a least, 10 insist on the
Interchange OF radiograms between ships
on the high seas. especially in view OF
the impracticability OF eficaciously en-
Forcing such regulations.
nFinally. we are OF the decided
opinion that shore stations transacting
any paid business should be required TO
accept from and deliver at suitably
equipped ships and stations all wireless
telegrams (radiograms) offered for re-