FIRST NEWS BY CABLE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15201, 15 January 1913, Page 8

FIRST NEWS BY CABLE.

DEALT WITH "BALKAN CRISIS."

The first news cablegram transmitted directly from London to New Zealand was published in,, the New Zealand Herald on August 16, 1876. In recalling this interesting fact at the Pacific Cable Board's luncheon yesterday, Mr. H. Horton remarked that, strangely, that first message dealt with the Balkan crisis.". It stated that " during the debate in the. House of Commons on the Eastern v question, Mr. Bruce moved : ' That the Government, respecting existing treaties, should exercise its influence to secure the welfare and equal treatment of the different religions in Turkey.' " This suggested an inquiry regarding" the progress that European, diplomacy had made in 36£ veal's. The message also reported that "the Servians are ■< stubbornly disputing the advances of the Turks." Mr. Horton also quoted the concluding sentence of a leading article of that time ; "Happily England seems determined to keep clear of the struggle. Events, however, may'arise causing great danger to England's interests. Turkey may got into such' a state that Russia or Austria may feel compelled to interfere in friendship or in antagonism, and the other nations of Europe could hardly stand by and see the whole of the Turkish Empire seized by one of these Powers, or divided between them."