Evening journal., 1920-08-05
]. S. GLI,Ol
BRITISH Ca
Daniels Sends Destroyers to
Prevent Linking of Line
on Florida Coast
J. S. WANTS NO
WIRE MONOPOLY

f, WASHINGTON. Aug. 5.-Five de-
iroyers are patroling the entrance 10
ne Miami tFla) harbor under orders
rom President Wilson TO prevent, by
prce II necessary, the landing Of a
ADle the Western Union Telegraph
company Is having laid from Barba-
oes, a British possession in the West
hdies.
A British cable ship, the Colonial
as been chartered by the Western
Union Company TO land the American
Ynd OF the cable. which would con-
ect with a British cable line from
le Barbados TO South America. AT
le State Department ID was stated
nat The British Embassy had been
sked TO inform Tie master Of the
nip that such a landing would be in
, i0lation OF American law. Onlcials
xplainid that there was no signin-
ance In the fact that the vessel was
british; that she probably was the
pnly cable craft available 90 the
hmerican company when she was
hartered.
Work on the cable line from Bar
ados was begun last summer. Some
lme ago the Western Union Com
iany applied TO the Stale Depart
lent Tor an executive permit to land
ne wire at Miami. but officials said
'ctl0n on 10 had born DELAYED pend
lg the holding Of the International
communications Congress called TO
beet IN Washington September i5.
a British cable company, IL was OK
.lalned, now has a monopoly Of cable
lights In Brazilian waters. An Ameri-
an concern desires 10 construct a
irect cable line from the United
tates TO Brazil and it was stated
nat the American government de-
red TO know before Issuing the per-
1it 70 the Western Union Company
Fhetherfthe arrangement entered into
IN mat company with the British
pncern, the Western Cable Company.
ontroling the line from Barbados 10
Irazil, woulf add 20 this monopoly.
In this connection 70 was asserted
nat az the forthcoming International
communications Congress the whole
leOry OF international cOmmunica-
ions was TO be examined "in a very
iiierent Temperament" from that eX-
sting In the past
There were reports that after the
Western Union Company nled its ap-
'IicatIOn for a permit she State De-
lartment requested that COPY OF
he contract with the British cable
Oncern also be filed. and that the
0mpany had refused 10 comply. No
nfOrmatiOn as TO this was Obtainable
u The department
While there Is a direct cable line
between the United States and the
Pacific Coast OF South America. cable
Communication between this country
Ind Brazil is possible now only by
Nay Of London unless the messages
Ire sent TO the west coast and re-
hyed overland. A direct cable line to
frazil. officials said is much 10 be
Irferred, as It would afford a means
II faster and probably cheaper COM
nunication.
Some officials expressed doubt today
kheiher there was a law requiring
iermiis for the landing Of cables In
De United States, but when ques-
loned as TO this, State Department
lflcials declared emphaiically that
here was such a law.
The orders from the President
Fhich resulted in The destroyers be-
ng assigned 20 patrol the thre>mile
limit on Miami were issued. II was
laid, after reports had reached the
| government planned 70 complete
4 construction OF the line Immediately
iecretary Daniels was advised Of the
lrders upou his return from Alaska
! h announcing that the five destroy
Irs had been assigned to the patrol
luty he said that the instructions
rom the President were 10 use any
4 heans necessary TO prevent The land
ng of The cabel