3 i 2 The National Geographic Magazine 



Map No. 4. Proposed Routes for Pacific Cables (see page 313) 



supply, and receipt and delivery of mes- 

 sages, and in some cases the transship- 

 ment of cargoes, they are of great im- 

 portance to commerce, while from the 

 strategic standpoint they are of incal- 

 culable value. That they are considered 

 of great importance to the vessels now 



engaged in this commerce is shown by 

 the fact that the lines of both steam and 

 sailing vessels, crossing the ocean in 

 every direction, converge at practically 

 all of the islands located in the midst of 

 this great ocean. The map showing 

 these routes is prepared by the Hydro- 



