Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 38, Number 17, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 October 1905 — PACIFIC CABLE LINES EXTENDED. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

PACIFIC CABLE LINES EXTENDED.

After many years of battling against difficulties, direct cable communications from the United States to China and Japan by way of the Commercial Cable Company is assured, and the project of the late John W. Mackay is on the eve of realization. AVith the signing of an agreement by M. Takalilra, Japanese minister, between the Japanese government and the Commercial Pacific Cable Company, landing privileges and connections in Japan are obtained. Landing rights were obtained by the company from China several weeks ago. Efforts to establish an all American Pacific cable to the far East were begun by John W. Mackay many years ago. Various bills were introduced in Congress, but always met defeat until President McKinley championed the enterprise, in 1899, and urged in a message to Congress the necessity for cable communication with the far East. At that time another controversy arose between the Senate and House of Representatives over government control of the cable, and the President’s message was fruitless. In 1901 Mr. Clarence 11. Mackay, president of the CommefelaKCable Company, went before Congress and offered on the part of his company to lay the cable as a private enterprise, unstibsidized and entirely under American control. His offer was eventually accepted, and meanwhile the Commercial Pacific Cable Company was organized and the cable was laid to Honolulu and the Philippines. Now it has been extended to China and Japan.