The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1922-03-03
ATLANT|CCABLE
DISPUTE ENDED
BY AGREEMENT
Plan Tentatively Favored BY
Powers viii Be Given to
Conference.
BY HARRY L. ROGERS.
(copyrighe 1922. by the International
News Service.)

ny hAnNA LIZ AsOoSAscs
(copyrigha 1922. by the International
News service)
A solution Of the Atlantic cable
problem, which for more than a
year has perplexed the interna-
tional communications conference
dealing with the ALLEGATION Of for.
mer German cables, has been
found, the International News
Service learned today.
This plan probably will be pre-.
sented to the conference within
the next two or three days. It
contemplates the construction by
Italy Of a cable from Rome or
Genoa. through the Mediterranean,
and connecting with the trans
Atlantic lines at the Azores.
Would Divide Cost.
No provision Is contained In the
proposal for turning over to Italy
the Brest-Azores.New York cable
now operated by France, the con.
census of opinion being that under
the present assignment of lines be-
tween the Azores and New York
there are ample. facilities for all
Italian business.
A substantial part Of the con.
struction cost Of the new Mediter.
ranean cable would be paid for by
the nations other than Italy which
have an interest in the former Ger
man cables. The remaining share
of the cost would be borne by Italy,
he
siderable period Of time as the cable
earned profits from the traffic car.
ried.
The scheme regarded as most
feasible Is that the funds for the ini.
tial installment to be paid to the
company constructing the Mediter.
ranean cable should be taken from
the earnings Of all the ex.German
cables which, under the modus
vivendi agreed to by the powers
more than a year ago, are now be-
ing operated for joint account.
Acceptance Withheld.
While this plan has not yet been
formally accepted by all the powers.
careful examination Of the interests
and contentious Of all concerned has
convinced those most closely con-
nected with the problem that II
meets all difficulties and II Is be-
lieved that the plan will be adopted.
Acceptance by Italy Of this solu-
ton would remove her objection to
the agreement arrived at during
the arms conference as to the allo-
cation Of ex-German cables in the
Pacific, the reservation she then
registered being based on the de-
sire for direct communication be-
tween Rome and New York.
U. 8. Cable To Germany.
Upon completion Of the Mediter-
ranean cable, Italy expects to con-
struct a system Of feeder lines to
various points In the eastern Medi.
terranean. In view Of the growing
commercial interests Of the United
States In the Near East, such a
system Of communications 10 ex-
pected to prove of immense value
to this country in providing a
means Of direct communication with
that region without the necessity
Of passing through London or Paris.
Direct communication between
New York and Germany, for which
this Government has contended.
would be afforded by the two. new
German cables now being contract
cd for by a private corporation.
The North Atlantic cable from
Penzance to Halifax, would con-
tinue to be operated by Great
Britain for traffic from England to
Vancouver and Australia. The OPP
GRAFTON of this cable has proved
rather expensive. there having been
several bad breaks which were diff
ficult for the British to repair.
Under the agreement already ar
rived at in connection with the
Pacific cables. the United States
gets the line from Guam to zap.
Holland gets that from zap to
Menado. Dutch East Indies. and
Japan receives the line from zap
IN tho Japaneae mainland