Absurd Keports of Government Intentions Recent alarmist. reports that the (Chinese Government proposes to put the Cable Companies out of business atthe end of this year have naturally attracted "attention, "We have obtained the following statement from the Companies which enables this scare to be viewed in its proper proportions. The matter is further dealt -with in to-day's leading article, To the Editor of the "Norri-Cinna Datty News'
Sm—From time to time Chinese and foreign newspapers have been Publishing reports concerning th Cable Companies' future" position in China under headings such "China withdraws Foreign Telegraph Concessions," "Contracts with Foreign anies not to be renewed," "Minis. try of Communications determine} th take over the Cable Companies? cubies" and "Government. preparing to get rid of Cable Companies," As many of these reports a or misleading on essential points, and in view of the vital importance of the cable service to all those who live in China, Chinese and foreigners alike, we deem it right to acquaint you with the following faets:—'The Chinese Government have put forward no proposal of buying the Companies' cables, and, quite apart from the fact that our Companies would not be prepared to sell, the idea of such a proposal would seem almost absurd cansidering the extreme complexity, from a technical, administrative and Political point of view, of the work= ing of cable systems uniting dite ferent countr Statements have appeared to the effect that, in future, radio stations will take "care of communications between China and foreign countries, but such statements. should not be taken to mean that the sail communications will be maintainer by radio only, to the exclusion of cables. Radio will, undoubtedly, take an important share in China's future international communica tions, but it would be a great mistake to assume that China could or would rely upon radio alone, All other great countries have realized the continued extreme importance of the cable services, and new cables are still being Inid in all parts of the world, even where wireless services are' available, The circumstances which have given rise to the recent publicity about our Companies' affairs are simply these:—Tu the same way as all Cable Companies have Working agree: ments with the countries in which they operate, so our Companies have working agreements with the Chinese Government in respect of their cables landed in China. Such working agreements expire. from time to time and, "when renewed, they are, naturally, modified if changed conditions make alterations desirable, This is how the situa. tion will present itself in China the end of this year when the present working agreements between China and our Companies expire and, although the revision of such important "agreements may not. unnaturally give rise to a good deal of discussion between the contracting parties, there is no reason to believe that arrangements factory to all concerned, including the public, will not be axtived at, We are, ete.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.