New-York tribune., 1906-11-02
NEW WIRELESS RULES.
Contention for Free Communication
-TzCo POzCers Make Reservations.

Berlin Nov THE delegates TO the Wireless
Telegraph Conference finished their work to-day.
and expect to sign a convention Saturday. The
agreement will be framed on the principle Of free
intercommunication between all systems, but Great
Britain and Italy will sign with reservations de-
signed to protect the existing arrangements with
the Marcon Company. Montenegro was represent
ed by Cuthbert Hail. Of the Marconi company. Pos
sibly the delegates of or two minor govern
rnents will associate themselves with Great Brit
aims and Itay's reservations Otherwise the agree
ment will be signed by the delegates Of all the
states represented. subject to the usual ratiica-
tions.
The delegates of the United States at the begin
ming Of the conference announced their position 10
be for an international agreement providing for the
unrestricted exchange of messages between ship
and ship and ship and shore, regardless of the sys
tenn used. The term radio -teegraphy'' chosen
as the to be used officially in defining the new
function of electricity.
Germany supported the United States regarding
intercommunication between ship and shore. but
during the first sessions OF the conference pract-
cally all the delegates opposed the idea OF a free
exchange of messages between ship and ship
one which, If persisted in. might bring the confer
ence TO nothing. Great Britain resolutely led the
opposition to both contentious. but stood ultimate
ly alone, except for Italy. all the other maritime
powers taking the United States's view.
Radio teegraphy will have an international bu-
reau of information ara clearing house. similar
to the international postal and telegraph bureaus at
Berne. The question or imposing lIle convention
and the rules attached to il upon private COM
panies already doing business was discussed The
only way of accomplishing this appeared TO be by
fresh legislation the part Of each state con-
cerned.
Upon Ambassador Tower. as the ranking United
States delegate. fell the duty OF uphOding the posi-
ton of the United States. The hnal action OF the
conference is regarded by his colleagues largely
due 10 the way in which Mr.. Tower met objections,
day after day in open debate.
The delegates the first said they
were unable TO join in the internationalizaton OF
wireless teegraphy, being preCluded from doing
by contracts with the Marcont company The
British delegates desired the conference to accept
the general principle of free accommodation.
provided the companies agreed. Great Britain
afterward slowly yielded 10 the ship and shore
proposition with the limitation that where shore
stations belonging to private company declined
to take the messages of another system the gov
ernment may erect permit 10 be erected other
stations within the territory concerned. which Will
take messages
The conclusions OF The conference appear TO be
and Italy 1t shown would join except for their
Contracts which may. 1t was Intimated. be bought
off bv negotiation with the Marconi company. In
the mean Time, until the expiration of the contracts
Great Britain will allow other companies TO put
up coast stations. The naval and military sta
tions of all the powers are, naturally, excluded
from the terms of the convention and also. any
government may exclude a station open TO puD>
fic business But. except Great Britain and Italy,
IL is expected all the governments will declare that
they will not avail themselves Of the privilege.