THE CABLE SERVICES

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 104, 27 January 1919, Page 6

THE CABLE SERVICES

RESTORATION OF "IMPERIAL ,, LINE URGED ELIMINATING GERMAN •CONTROL

By Telegraph-Prees Association-Copyright

(Rec. January 26, 5.45 p.m.) London, January 23.

Mr. Andrew Fisher, Australian High Commissioner, and Sir Thomns Mackenzie, New Zealand High Commissioner, had an interview with Air. lUingworth (Postmaster-General), pointing out. the urgency of restoring the so-called Imperial cable across the Atlantic, which has been interrupted for some months, ns it. was necessary to facilitate the , speedier dispatch of Australian and New Zealand soldier-deferred messages, securing remittances. The delay in the Pacific route was almost entirely due to the Atlantic congestion. The Imperial cable belonged to Germany, and a British cruiser cut it nrtir l'ayal, one of the Azores Islands, within four hours of the declaration of war. Later the cable was mended and connected with Nova Scotia and the British Isles. France took over the other German Ulantic cable, but thus far has not attempted to 'use it. Business men in France and England demand that the two cables shall be retained permanently, eliminating Gcrmon control of Atlantic cab Us. The matter has been referred to the Peace Confer-ence.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.