CAB38-23 — Page 160

Page 160

Page 160

3

III.

WIRELESS COMMUNICATION WITH RUSSIA,

Memorandum by the Post Office laid before the Cables (Landing Rights) Committee.

IN connection with the proposals which are being made for the establishment of wireless communication with Sweden, the Committee is asked to consider the accom- panying letter from the Russian Telegraph Administration regarding the establishment of a direct wireless service between Russia and this country.

So far as rates are concerned, little advantage would apparently be gained by establishing a wireless service with Russia. In order to secure a material reduction in the present charge of 44d. a word, it would be necessary for Russia to reduce her terminal charge of 22 centimes, and it is difficult to see how this could be done, seeing that it applies to Asiatic as well as to European Russia.

It should be mentioned also that the Great Northern Telegraph Company have a right extending to 1924 (or 1930 if the proposals now before the Committee are approved) to all unordered traffic for places in Russia north of the 54th degree of latitude (somewhat to the south of Moscow).

The proposal may, however, present considerable strategic advantages, and for this reason a copy of the letter and of this memorandum has been forwarded to the Committee of Imperial Defence.

It is not clear whether or not the Russian Administration proposes that the stations on its side should be directly in the hands of the State, but the Committee will no doubt consider that, if the proposal is approved, the station on this side should be owned and worked by the Post Office. It is possible that, if the traffic were not large, one and the same station could be used for the service with Sweden as well as Russia.

General Post Office,

March 4, 1913.

[449]

Page 160

Page 160

1

Page 160Page 161