There has been a great deal of talk during the
week as to the progress of the Wireless Telegraphy Conference which is being held at Berlin. The clash of interests seems to be extremely bitter, and at one time it was stated that there was a strong difference of opinion between the British delegates, those nominated by the Admiralty taking one view, and those by the British Post Office another. We are glad to note, however, that this is now denied, and that the British delegates are acting in harmony. The chief point at issue is involved in the question of the monopoly of the Marconi Company in Great Britain. The Admiralty, it is asserted, hold that by the employment of that system we obtain an immense advantage over all other users of wireless telegraphy, and urge that this advantage should not be foregone at the request of Germany. Japan is supporting Britain, as also are Portugal, Italy, and France. We sincerely trust that our Government, however great the pressure put upon them in Berlin, will maintain the Admiralty view, and that public opinion here will also strongly support it. If, as we under- stand is the case, the Admiralty, after a careful and deliberate study of the facts, and from their experience of the present system, believe that it is an essential element in the main- tenance of our sea power, it would be madness for us to forego our advantage because that advantage gives umbrage to the Germans. We may be perfectly sure that had the Germans obtained the best wireless system, they would not be so foolish as to give it up because we represented that its possession by them was disagreeable to ourselves.
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