AN ALL-BRITISH CABLE.*
THE Imperial Conference will have to consider seriously the installation of an all-British cable. Few people have any idea of the extent to which Imperial communications are interrupted, and of the nature of these interruptions. News is continually hindered or muddled in time of peace; and it is a significant fact that in at least one instance an overland line is compelled to employ foreign clerks. What would happen, we naturally ask, in time of war P Let us have no illusions about the neutrality of cables. Have we not ourselves declined all invitations to recognize it ? During the bombardment of Alexandria one of the Mediterranean cables was cut by Russia, and while the Boer War was going on another Power stationed a ship off St. Pierre to provide for strategic con- tingencies. It its worse than stupid to ignore such facts as these. When we talk of war we. must remember that the days of formal Declarations of War are over, that the cutting of cables would 'certainly precede any Declaration, and would probably be the first intimation of the actual fact. Again, we must not suppose that the most carefully-planned cable, though laid in deep waters, with strictly guarded landings and vigilant operators, could long hold out against a de- terreined enemy. Still, there would be a gain of time, and such a gain would be of incalculable value. Mr•. Bright tells us that during the Spanish-American War one of the Cuban cables remained intact because protected by deep water. We must recollect at the same time that one cable was kept open for the express purpose of reading the Spanish messages—a curious illustration of the value of cipher. All this goes to prove that this country should seriously determine to have a cable wholly in its own power, and as secure from interruptions as it can be made. This, is the point on which Mr. Bright insists, and no man, we take it, knows more about the ins and outs of the matter. And there =lit be no delay. In these days one man can shoot another without taking his hands out of his pocket. Submarine cables are, of course, expensive, but Mr•. Bright points out very forcibly that an all-British line is really an Imperial Insurance. If every prudent individual insures himself, why not the Empire F As to rates, Mr. Bright thinks that there is no objection to an Imperial shilling rate, and he makes a good practical suggestion of deferred messages during the slack hours, the rate to be half that for a message delivered during the next twenty-four hours. We hope the book will receive the attention which it deserves.
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