New-York tribune., 1903-09-01
NO WIRELESS MONOPOLY.
CONGRESS- FORESTALLS 1T.
I'm portaut .4cfiou of Recent Interna-
fion01 COnCention.
rrrou rHE rn1rINE HrEEAU-l

Washington. Auz 3l-Wireless telegraph COM
psries are common carriers. and must there
fore receive from any source and transmit 70
any destination an messages offered 70 them
This conclusion. which forestalls any monopoly,
was reached by TIE Berlin international Con-
ference. and was the eist Of the only important
resolution adopted al its session. which lasted
nine DAYS beginning on August 4 Germany
Great Britain. France. Russia. Austria Hun
rar7-. Italy. Spain and the United States par
,icirated the American delegates being Brig
adler General : W. Greelv for the army. Cap
tain Francis N Barber for the navy and John
I Waterbury FOR The Department of Commerce
and Labor All the great maritime countries
were represented by their officials best qualified
70 carry out the object of the conference. which
was 10 ,trropose 20 the governments bases Of
regulations for an international convention
on August Il the congress adopted protocol
Of eight articles as groundwork of general
treaty. all of them being Of minor interest ex-
cert the following. Coast stations are obliged
70 receive and transmit telegrams going or re-
turning from ships without distinction to
the system Of wireless telegraphy employed by
The ships Under this rule .'radiograms' as
wireless kilograms were termed at the confer
ence are 70 be placed I'm the category Of rner-
ohandise and radiograph corporations. as COM
mon carriers. compelled TO cooperate in deliy-
ering them al their destination. Other sections
Of the protocol relate 20 definitions 20 minor
details and extending the rules Of the ST
Petersburg telegraphic convention ~ which
fhe United States is not a party. 70 wireless
communications
The congress dealt solely with pa cifc condi-
tions recognizing that each nation would take
care of its own wireless messages in time Of
war In this connection IL became known that
Germany. war measure. was prepared 20
take care Of her own coast by sending such
powerful interference waves from Helgoland as
would pre-ent any enemy from carrying on snv
oommunca tion in the North Sea and that all
the European powers were ready to exercise ah-
solute control over all wireless stations within
their own borders
The common carrier declaration which is
aimed against monopoly. was adopted AT the in
stance of the American delegates who were
familiar with the United States statutes and
Supreme Court decisions on that general prin-
oiple and was warmly espoused by all the dele
gates except those from Great Britain and Italy
who pleaded lack ~ authority i'm their instruc-
tions. II is significant that these are the only
two countries welded to the Marconi system.
At tho opening Of the sessions the United
States delegation presented the following dec
lsration. which virtually governed all suhse-
quent proceedings. the whole conference taking
no action which failed TO conform 10 its pro-
visions
The delegates from the United states desire
TO express IN general terms their opinion as 70
the scope ana extent of international action
nov advisable in formulating regulations for
wireless telegra ply.
Recognizing the inChoate state Of the service
Of wireless teleETaphy. IL is our firm conviction
that detailed regulations are impra ctica he. and
that this conference should conine its action
the formulation of general resolutions While
embodying therein such principles a will in
sure the greatest advantages 10 the commerce
a nj trade Of the world. care should be taken TO
avoid interference with the development Of wire
less telegraphy.
4 broad distinction exists between shore sta
ti0ns which are entirely within national iuris-
dicti0n and ship stations on the high seas be-
vond tho plenary exercise Of such control In
asmuch the interchange OF ship signals un-
der the international code - not obligatory.
though recognized as commercially important
IN seems TO us inadyisable. for the present at
least TO insist on the interchange Of radiograms
between ships on the high sea. especially in view
of the impra bility Of cfcaciously enforcing
such regulations
Finally We are Of the decided opinion that
shore stations transacting any paid business
should he required TO accept from and deliver
II Suita blv equipped ships and stations all wire
less telegrams tradogramsD offered [CT receipt
or transmission"