256 Wireless Telegraphy. [Feb. 2, 



Buller's forces, and it is likely that before the campaign is ended wire- 

 less telegraphy will have proved its utility in actual warfare. Two of 

 our assistants bravely volunteered to take an installation through the 

 Boer lines into Kimberley ; but the military authority did not think 

 fit to grant them permission, as it probably involved too great a risk. 



What the bearing on the campaign would have been if working 

 installations had been established in Ladysmith, Kimberley and 

 Mafeking, before they were besieged, I leave military strategists to 

 state. I am sure you will agree with me that it is much to be 

 regretted that the system could not be got into these towns prior to 

 the commencement of hostilities. 



I find it hard to believe that the Boers possess any workable 

 instruments. Some instruments intended for them were seized by 

 the authorities at Cape Town. These instruments turned out to 

 have been manufactured in Germany. Our assistants, however, found 

 that these instruments were not workable. I need hardly add that 

 as no apparatus has been supplied by us to any one, the Boers cannot 

 possibly have obtained any of our instruments. 



I have spoken at great length about the things which have been 

 accomplished. I do not like to dwell upon what may, or will, be 

 done in the immediate or more distant future, but there is one thing 

 of which I am confident — viz. that the progress made this year will 

 greatly surpass what has been accomplished during the last twelve 

 months ; and, speaking what I believe to be sober sense, I say, that 

 by means of the wdreless telegraph, telegrams will be as common, 

 and as much in daily use, on the sea as at present on land. 



[G. M.] 



