WIRELESS PLANT FOR THE VATICAN

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 121, 8 February 1918, Page 6

WIRELESS PLANT FOR THE VATICAN

o The establishment of a wireless station on tbo dome of St. Peter's in: Home lias been suggest®} to the Vatican so that it mav secure independent transmission of foreign messages of diplomatic character in code and also receive confidential and reliable reports from the Vatican's representatives abroad (states the Milan correspondent of the American Associated Press). The question of speed is involved since at the present time wire transmission from-France and England consumes twenty-four hours whilo much longer is required to receive messages and news from the United States. "While the Vatican has not complained to the Italian Government regarding telegraphic communication, it is assumed that the censor uses ordinary precautions. During the war tbo majority of tlie confiHential messaged from the Pope or Cardinal Gasparri, the. Papal Secretary of State, have been sent by special courier. Messages of less importance have been sent by mail. It is pointed out that the wireless would have the adv«nta_GS of dealing with Switzerland, Austria, Germany, awl "Russia. The Vatican never has been able to rely upon newspaper reports for quick news. It hat never been sure of German news as tc how much has been loft, out or how much has been doctored. The same applies to Russian news, in which the Vatican is much interested. The Italian Government is not likely lo raise decided objections because the Vatican never has paid tolls on its messages. The proposed wireless would relieve tha hoavy pres6uro on oxisting ordinary lines'.