The New York herald., 1921-07-30
YAP TO GUAM CABLE
MAY GO TO AMERICA
Hughes Asserts Conferees
Lean Toward Claim Of
United States.
WOULD AWAIT ACTION
COmmends Plan for Con-
structi0n of New Trans
pacific Line.
$25,0O0,OOO rs ESTIMATE
Would Have Private Capital,
if Possible, Undertake to
Carry Out Project.
'25,oOo,OO0 is ESTIMATE
Special Despatch to The NEW York HnaALD
Now York Herald Bureau.l
Washington. ID. O.. LulY 20.

Special Despatch to THs Nnw York HmALD
Now York Herald Bureau
Washington, ID. O., July 20.
The former German cable between
Zap and Guam is likely to be allocated
TO the United States, according to o
letter by Secretary OF State Hughes te
President Harding and made public to-
day BY Senator Jones (Wash.).
The correspondence was placed in
the hands Of Senator Jones because OF
his request for an opinion as to the
desirability Of legislation he has pro-
posed appropriating $4,000. 900 for the
construction Of an additional trans
Pacific cable.
While commencing the construction
Of the cable. Secretary Hughes said II
should be done by private capital II
possible. but that tho Government
might we'll undertake It II private en-
terprise docs not. The Secretary sug-
sested the advisability Of deferring ac-
ton until the pending negotiations re-
garding the German cables are finally
adjusted, since that IL an important
factor in the entire cable situation in
the Pacific.
The ALLEGATION Of the German cables
centrfng at Zap has been the sub
ject Of discussion at the preliminary
communications conference tho secre-
tary said. "and negotiations are still
proceeding. The American delegates to
the conference have contsnded that the
service which we enjoyed in the past
should be restored and It Is probable
that the cable from Guam to Yap
will hs allocated to the government
Of the Omitted States.
1T u undoubtedly desirable for politi-
cal. strategic and commercial reasons
that every effort should be made to
improve and extend existing communi-
cation facilities across the Pacific on
proper terms to the benefit of both
the public and the Government. AL
though 1t may be true that because
Of the great distances and largo out
lays required, II trans-Pacific COM
munications are to be developed from
the larger viewpoint OF furthering
intercourse and trade the Government
may find It necessary to provide cer-
tain services nevertheless at the present
moment venture to believe that II
would be the course OF wisdom not to
commit the Treasury to any largo out
lay even to the extent suggested by
Senator Jones. pending the completion
Of q survey OF our needs for radio. as
we'll ~ cable communication in the
Pacific and the decision with regard
to the aliocaxion Of the German cables
around Yap, and then only after It shall
have been determined that the problem
cannot be taken care OF by private
enterprise.
II beg to express my entire agreement
with your suggestion that the provision
of such services should be left In the
first instance to American enterprise
I am Of the opinion that private en-.
terprise should be given tho oppor.
tunity to cay what needs they are will.
ing and able to provide. but that II
private enterprise is unable or unwill.
Ing to meet the needs Of tho Govern.
ment and the public. the Government
should then. but not until then, seek
tho necessary authority from Con.
gress."