The Seward gateway daily edition, and the Alaska weekly post., 1920-01-08
- 4ass ~ssss . URGES NEW CABLE , FOR ALASKA ROUTE
 v.St FssF


 ;ivc report on the Pacific cable siiuat- ion. ~ctting forth the need of new cable. and incidently advocating that 1t be laid by the northern route from Puget sound.
 The report in part follows:
 "My dear Senator Jones:
 "Plcase permit me to acknowlete" receipt of your letter of November 2l. 1919, addressed to the chief signal officer of the army. In the abSenc" of Gen. Souier permit me to submit the following observation on tho S'b- feet of Pacific cables.
 Pacific Cables.
 At time when numerous nations arc looking toward China, Japan "no Russia for an expansion of commerce, the Pacific ocean is particularly d. ficicnt in cable communication much to the disadvantage of the Uni Hd States. There are but two PaC jic cables landing on the Western co st of the North American continen --- one, British cable, operated by nc British Pacific cable board, and onc operated by the Commercial Pacific Cable Company. The Far East 'Nn also be reached from the Uni ed States by means of Atlantic cah s ir, conjunction with land lines aC' Ss Russia, in conjunction with land lines ac,1Ss Germany, Russia and Per-'@' or in conjunction with the cable S,S- tenn through the Mediterranean, 'n- dian ocean, etc. But these three ? 'n- cra Eastern routes arc -ong ;nd roundabout, involving delays ana 'hc transmission of messages throrH!' many nations. The American 0uSj- ness man does not desire to sen "iS trade telegram to China through English, German, Russia, Persian 'nd other relay officers. He desires send his message by the shortest route, and preferably by one man aged by Americans.
 There is plainly a need for "u' ditional cable communication with China and Russia. A careful "trd dy of such undertakings in the plSt r,pn,shcs evidence for the belief that if more than one Pacific Cable is laid Increased trade and increases pres business will soon keep all the !ia'> busy.
 in all studies incident to the l'y- ing of an additional Pacific ca|'"' reference is made to a southern route. and northern route. 'nc southern route via Honolulu, Midway and Guam offers certain advantage, at grca: expense of money for thc additional cable required for 'h'S long"r .oute. The specr O. oc" " cablrg bears fixed relation '1- versr!v to the length or any s'nI span oT cable. The long span ',. cuired between Midway and Gn'm presents an objection to the south' ern route, tre slowncSS of transmits, sion over Ihis long span checking the flow If business over the entire Enc
 "Jt inc mmerce of the Un'"d State; requires q quick cable dir"N to Japan, Ru, sia and China, tt' northern .oute, via Alaska and th' AIeutIan islands, presents the Sho't' cs, route The spans can be Of any length desired to insure the great est speed. The Sou.l coast of th' Alautian islands is free from ice, Cha ocean depths are moderate and tho danger from earthquake and volcano disturbances less than in tropic va ters. A cable to Shanghai by ;n', route will traverse a length of cab!, about 2,OOO miles shorter than by th' southern route. With a shorro' cable, the original cost and the main tenance cost will be less, while th' speed of cabling greater.
 Cites Army Successes.
 "The United States has had a smaI but gratifying experience in cabi operation. The signal corps, ot th army designed, laid and operated cable system in the tropical water of the Philippine islands, and in tn northern waters between Seattle am Alaska. Both were efficiently opcr ated for the benefit of the trade an j the people. No value can be place on the results obtained in the inter nal development of both sections.
 Summarizing, it can be said tha the commercial interests of the ccur