The Subcommittee on Improvement of Communication Facilities between
the Five Principal Allied and Associated Powers begs to report that
it has held ten meetings, and has unanimously agreed to the appended
fifteen (15) voeux which it recommends for
adoption by the Conference.
[Annex]
Voeux
1. Extension, where the conditions of the traffic warrant it, of
the present arrangement under which the various States provide a
system of wires and a separate organization in the larger
offices for international communication distinct from the
national network.
2. The duplication of those inter-Allied lines which are now
single or the constitution of alternative lines in such a manner
as to prevent the interruption of the great inter-Allied
routes.
Among other important lines which seem to require duplication may
be mentioned the American and British Pacific lines.
It is a matter for the consideration of the individual States
concerned how far the duplication of cable routes may be
effected by
[Page 163]
means of
radiotelegraphy. Where cables are landed at isolated islands for
relay purposes the desirability of providing radio stations at
the same point is recognized.
3. The Principal Allied and Associated Powers should proceed to
the study of the position as a whole, with a view to the
construction of lines, cables and radio-telegraph stations,
where the inter-Allied traffic shows the necessity.
In this connection the desirability of the provision, where the
traffic demands it, of direct lines between those of the
inter-Allied States which are not now directly connected—and
particularly the desirability of a direct cable between the
United States and Italy—is recognized.
4. Application in the constitution of the inter-Allied telephone,
telegraph and radio-telegraph communications of the best modern
technical methods, including the multiplexing of lines,
automatic transmission, and the use of high-speed printing
apparatus.
5. Study and organization of the best means for the permanent
maintenance of these communications in good order. It is also
recommended that arrangements should be made between the various
companies and administrations owning cable ships, with a view to
the common use of the ships in such a way as to insure the
speediest possible repair of breaks and removal of faults in
long-distance cables.
6. Adoption of the necessary measures on lines which serve the
Principal Allied and Associated Powers, as soon as the average
delay in transmission of telegrams exceeds by 30 per centum the
recognized normal delay in transmission for the circuit
considered.
7. Immediate study to develop the fullest coordination between
the land lines, submarine cables and radio; as a particular
problem, to study, in this connection, long-distance radio links
between far distant countries, using for the purpose, where
necessary, radio stations in intermediate countries for relay
purposes.
8. Organization, as far as possible, of arrangements for the
transmission between the Allied and Associated countries of
their government messages by government radio stations not
ordinarily transmitting general traffic, and, where possible,
for the transmission by the same means of press messages.
9. Recognition of the transmission of telegrams between fixed
stations by means of radio as an extension of the ordinary
telegraph service by wire in general accordance with the
proposals for the combination of the International Telegraph and
Radio-telegraph Conventions and Regulations, without, however,
encroaching on the right of senders to give instructions as to
the routing of their telegrams and without implying that the
charges by wire and by radio must be the same.
[Page 164]
10. Organization, as far as possible, of long-distance
communication lines in such a way as to avoid manual
retransmission by the countries which the lines cross; and
recognition, in this connection, that it is especially desirable
to connect inland countries, by direct land circuits, with the
terminal points of submarine cables.
11. The progressive disappearance, save in exceptional cases, of
the necessity for urgent telegrams by the amelioration of
communication between the Allied and Associated countries.
12.*
Recommendation, in the interests of telegraphic communication
between the Allied and Associated Powers and in the interests of
the telegraphic communications of the world, that the private
telegraph companies which do not now adhere to the International
Telegraphic Convention should be pressed to do so.
Examination of all the reductions in present rates which it may
be possible to make for news messages between the Allied and
Associated Countries, and especially the possibility of using
Government high power radio stations to a greater extent for the
distribution of news messages at low rates. The establishment is
recommended in the principal communications centers of offices
from which members of the press may learn the degree of
congestion, if any, existing on various routes.
14. The hastening of all the above measures for diminishing delay
with a view to the early reduction, as between the Allied and
Associated Countries, of the transmission delays beyond which
the charges are reimbursed to the senders, in accordance with
the present International Regulations.
15. Administrations should be in a position to prohibit
communication by radio between countries by private undertakings
without the mutual consent of the Administrations concerned,
with a view to maintaining general control of radio in the
public interest, and especially with a view to insuring the
fullest use of radio for the purposes for which radio alone is
suitable.
In particular they should be in a position to prohibit, without
the mutual consent of the Administrations concerned,
international communication between private establishments which
are not open to the general public, and also the reception and
use in any one country of messages sent from a transmitting
station in another country unless such messages are news
messages intended for reception and use in all countries.
