PROCEEDINGS FOR 1911 XXXI 
Johnson, “The Annals and Aims of the Pacific Cable Project.” In 
the words of the Canadian poet :— 
“Unite the Empire—make it stand compact, 
Shoulder to shoulder let its members feel 
The touch of British brotherhood; and act 
As one great Nation—strong and true as steel.” 
EXTRACTS FROM “ANNALS AND AIMS.” 
The problem presented is of the first importance, and the solution 
of it rests with the statesmen from the self-governing parts of the 
Empire, to be assembled at the Coronation Conference. It can undoubt- 
edly be solved by following the same policy as that adopted in the 
establishment of the Pacific Cable, that is to say, by partnership 
arrangement in which all will unite for the common good. 
Our common object is the freest intercourse, and this object can 
best be attained by linking together all the great outposts of the great 
Empire, precisely as Canada, New Zealand and Australia are now 
brought into close relationship by means of the Pacific Cable. The 
Imperial Telegraph System will embrace in its circuit round the Globe, 
three great oceans, the Atlantic, the Pacific and the Indian Ocean. 
The immediate object is to traverse these oceans and the intervening 
territories by a continuous chain of nationalized cable telegraphs. 
This, the crowning achievement, will cost in round figures, £4,000,000, 
more or less, an insignificant expenditure of capital in view of the 
immensely important results to be attained. It would do more for 
the Empire as a whole than twenty times the amount spent in any 
other way whatever. It would set at rest many difficulties. It would 
place the telegraph service of the Empire on a secure and satisfactory 
basis, and render alienation of the leading cables impossible. It would 
be a fresh tie between all the over-sea Dominions and the Motherland 
of great practical utility; it would minimize transmission charges and 
prodigiously increase the volume of telegraphic intercourse; it would 
benefit trade, vitalize the spirit of patriotism and strengthen the senti- 
ment which constitute the most enduring foundation on which the 
Empire of the future can be built up. The circumstances are such, 
and the benefits so many and so great, that whatever the cost, the 
pan-Britannic telegraph service should, as speedily as possible, be 
carried to completion. 
The establishment of such a service would affect the existing 
companies. The national telegraph encircling the globe would become 
the main or trunk line of communication between the self-governing 
portions of the Empire. The existing private cables would, to a large 
extent, and in many instances assume the position of branches to the 
trunk line, and as such would find employment in general and especially 
in international traffic. The charges for transmission by the trunk 
line would be lowered to a minimum, so as merely to cover cost of 
operating, interest and maintenance, and as a consequence, the business 
would be immensely increased. The private companies would gain by 
the increase, and likewise by the reduced charges on the main line, as 
