New-York tribune., 1908-07-09
c0UvuNICATTON BY HERTZ WAVES.

With the beginning of the current month an
International agreement relative to wireless te-
Iegraphy formulated two or three years ago
went into effect Nearly all Of the governments
which participated in the negotiations on the
subject have now ratified the convention. Inc
United States has not yet done So because Con-
@ress has hitherto hestated to act on the rec
concentrations of the Navy Department but
there is reason to believe that the requisite leg
islation will not long he delayed.
What must he considered the most important
regulation proposed at Berlin makes the recp-
rocaI acceptance of messages by ships and coast
stations compulsory. At one time 1t was al
legged, possibly with cause. that in certain cases
this requirement was impracticable According
TO DR. Erskne- Murray, in THE London Times,
no technical difficulty now stands in the way
of compliance. The only remaining objections
are personal and financial and. while these
ought not to be ruthlessly ignored. they should
be made to Yield to the demands of the world $
commerce. \ second regulation. which secures
the enforcement of the rule first mentioned
nrescribes that no operator shall he employed
without a license Wireless telegraph companies
are not likely to forfeit their privileges by re-
fusaI TO accept messages from their rivals when
such result is certain to follow either care
lessfess or defiance on their part
In order to- prevent interference two precau-
tions have been adopted. The merchant marine
is restricted to the employment OF wave lengths
of between 800 and GOO metres q second, and
wave lengths of between 600 and l,6Vo metres
are reserved for naval use. A separation of this
kind having been effected. it should no longer
be possible for steamship of any of the trans
atlantic or coast lines to- pick up messages dis
Matched from war vessels, or in any other way
TO embarrass the naval service. One further
measure is essential however, TO insure the
largest benefit from the plan here outlined.
Merchant steamers and coast stations must re-
sort to tuning and it is to he presumed that the
different naval powers will do likewise, in
their own interest if not i'll consequence of the
recommendations of the Berlin conference.
With one possible exception, the wisdom and
Justice of these regulations are go obvious
that they deserve universal approval. much
wider liberty OF choice in the selection of
wave lengths is given to military interests
than 10 neaceful commerce. Whether the pro-
vision ought to be left unatered is a question
on both sides of which much be said. The
number of rates of vibration within the limits
Of 100 and 600 metres which can be utilized
without interference has probably not been de-
tprmined The thoroughneSs with which the
various tuning systems perform their mission
NAV not vet have reached perfection 1t Is
pretty safe to- count more or less improve
ment in the future but to-day perhaps, rigid
enforcement of the rule might work a hard-
shin Still there is a chance for revision Of
the agreement after a few years trial. and it
is a great thing TO have the principle of govern
mental control established.