811.7353b W 52/138: Telegram

The Chargé in Great Britain (Wheeler) to the Secretary of State

250. Today the Western Union and the Italian cable made a formal offer of an agreement to Sir John Pender along the following lines:

1.
Unordered traffic originating in all European countries to be served by the Fiumicino-Azores Cable destined for South America and transiting the Azores to be delivered to Western Telegraph Company for transmission to destination.
2.
After the completion of the Italian cable from the Azores to South America traffic originating in the European countries mentioned to be delivered to Western Telegraph Company whenever the Italian–South American cable is interrupted. This agreement to be binding for ten years from the date when the Italian–South American cable is open for the reception of traffic.

In consideration of above Sir John Pender is (1) to cease all opposition to the ratification of the original provisional contract between the Western Union and the Portuguese Government for a landing license at the Azores and to do everything possible to secure the withdrawal of the amendment by the deputies, (2) to request the Foreign Office immediately to instruct the British Minister at Lisbon to notify the Portuguese Government that Great Britain no longer has any objection to the ratification of the original provisional contract, (3) to promise that he will refrain from opposing the issuance by the Portuguese Government to the Italian company of a license to land the Italian–South American cable at Cape Verde Islands.

The Western Union representatives trust that no objection to the above proposals will be entertained by the Department.

Wheeler