INTERNATIONAL RADIO TELEGRAPH CONVENTION OF BERLIN : 1906 AND PROPOSITIONS FOR THE INTER- NATIONAL RADIO TELEGRAPH CONFERENCE OF LONDON WASHINGTON GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1912 GIFT OF INTERNATIONAL RADIO TELEGRAPH CONVENTION OF BERLIN : 1906 AND PROPOSITIONS FOR THE INTER- NATIONAL RADIO TELEGRAPH CONFERENCE OF LONDON WASHINGTON GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1912 368544 PART 1. CONVENTION. International Radio Telegraph Convention concluded between Germany, the United States of America, Argentina, Austria, Hungary, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, Denmark, Spain, France, Great Britain, Greece, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Monaco, Norway, the Netherlands, Persia, Portugal, Roumania, Russia, Sweden, Turkey, and Uruguay. The undersigned, plenipotentaries of the Governments of the countries enumerated above, having met in con- ference at Berlin, have agreed on the following Conven- tion, subject to ratification: AETICLE 1. The High Contracting Parties bind themselves to ap- ply the provisions of the present Convention to all radio stations open to public service between the coast and vessels at sea both coastal stations and stations on ship- board which are established or worked by the Con- tracting Parties. They further bind themselves to make the observance of these provisions obligatory upon private enterprises authorized either to establish or work coastal stations for radio telegraphy open to public service between the coast and vessels at sea. or to establish or work radio stations, whether open to general public service or not, on board of vessels flying their flag. 4 RADIO TELEGEAPH CONVENTION OF BERLIN. PROPOSITIONS. BELGIAN CONGO. The Berlin Convention and its appendices have to do with the regulation . of communications between the coast and ships at sea and those exchanged between two ships. The Belgian colony of the Congo considers that it would be proper also to recognize and regu- late intercommunication between fixed radio stations and to adopt for all radio stations a classification conformable to their location and object. It proposes to this end that the following text be in- serted in the Convention : " The High Contracting Parties have decided to classify radio stations under four heads : " 1. Coastal stations designed for maritime service. " 2. Stations on shipboard. " 3. Stations designed for regular service between fixed points which are not necessarily separated by the sea. " 4. Stations of general interest sending telegrams or signals of public utility." This text is submitted only as a basis for discussion. The London Conference should establish exact definitions and suitable regula- tions defining the functions of each class of stations. .These regula- tions should specify the wave length to be used by the different sta- tions according to "their purpose and class. If necessary, working hours for services of public utility (time, meteorology, etc.) might be established. ITALY. To consider, in the Kadio Telegraph Convention, as well as in the Kegulations, the definition of aerial radio stations. By this name shall be meant stations installed on board of dirigibles, balloons, and aeroplanes. To consider^ also, all that concerns the correspondence of aerial radio stations with other radio stations. REASONS. The necessity for this proposition is self-evident. Precise proposi- tions have not^been formulated for introduction into the Convention and Kegulations in view of the special information which practical experience will be able to furnish from time to time on the subject of radio stations, and anticipating that the London Conference will not meet until the month of June, 1912. AETICLE 2. By " coastal stations " is to be understood every radio station established on shore or on board a permanently moored vessel used for the exchange of correspondence with ships at sea. 5 RADIO TELEGRAPH CONVENTION" OF BERLIN. Every radio station established on board any vessel not permanently moored is called a "station on ship- board." ARTICLE 3. The coastal stations and the stations on shipboard shall be bound to exchange radiograms without dis- tinction of the radio system adopted by such stations. ARTICLE 4. Notwithstanding the provisions of article 3, a station may be reserved for a limited public service determined by the object of the correspondence or by other circum- stances independent of the system employed. ARTICLE 5. Each of the High Contracting Parties undertakes to connect the coastal stations to the telegraph system by special wires, or, at least, to take other measures which will insure a rapid exchange between the coastal sta- tions and the telegraph system. ARTICLE 6. The High Contracting Parties shall notify one another of the names of coastal stations and stations on ship- board referred to in article 1, and also of all data, neces- sary to facilitate and accelerate the exchange of radio- grams, as specified in the Regulations. ARTICLE 7. Each of the High Contracting Parties reserves the right to prescribe or permit at the stations referred to in article 1, apart from the installation, the data of which are to be published in conformity with article 6, the installation and working of other devices for the pur- pose of establishing special radio communication without publishing the details of such devices. 6 EADIO TELEGRAPH CONVENTION OF BERLIN. ARTICLE 8. The working of the radio stations shall be organized as far as possible in such manner as not to disturb the service of other radio stations. i ARTICLE 9. Radio stations are bound to give absolute priority to calls of distress from ships, 'to similarly answer such calls, and to take such action with regard thereto as may be required. PROPOSITIONS. GREAT BRITAIN. To change the text of article 9 as follows : " Radio stations are bound to give absolute priority to the calls of distress which they receive from ships, to similarly answer such calls, and to take such action with regard thereto as may be required." REASONS. It is desirable to make clearly apparent that coastal stations are not to be rendered responsible for calls which they have not received in consequence of disturbances or for other reasons. ABTICLE 10. The total charge for radiograms shall comprise: 1. The charge for the maritime transmission, this is: (a) The coastal rate, which shall fall to the coastal station; (b) The shipboard rate, which shall fall to the ship- board station. 2. The charge for transmission over the lines of the telegraph system, to be computed according to the general regulations. The coastal rate shall be subject to the approval of the Government of which the coastal station is depend- ent and the shipboard rate to the approval of the Gov- ernment whose flag the ship is flying. 7 BADIO TELEGRAPH CONVENTION OF BERLIN. Each of these rates shall be fixed in accordance with the tariff per word, pure and simple, with an optional minimum rate per radiogram, on the basis of an equi- table remuneration for the radio work. Neither rate shall exceed a maximum to be fixed by the High Contracting Parties. However, each of the High Contracting Parties shall be at liberty to authorize higher rates than such maxi- mum in the case of stations of ranges exceeding 800 kilometers (431.68 nautical miles) or of stations whose work is exceptionally difficult owing to physical condi- tions in connection with the installation or working of the same. For radiograms proceeding from or destined for a country and exchanged directly with the coastal stations of such country, the High Contracting Parties shall advise one another of the rates applicable to the trans- mission over the lines of their telegraph system. Such rates shall be those resulting from the principle that the coastal station is to be considered as the station of origin or of destination. PROPOSITIONS. GREAT BRITAIN. For the last paragraph read : " Concerning radiograms proceeding from or destined for a country and exchanged directly with the coastal stations of such country, the rates applicable for transmission over telegraph lines are, in the European regime, the terminal charges fixed by Article XXIII, para- graphs 2 to 7. of the Regulations for the telegraph service, and, in the extra-European regime, those fixed in Table B annexed to the Regu- lations." REASONS. The object of this modification is to simplify the collection of charges on shipboard, and at the same time the keeping of accounts. The intention is that reductions in normal terminal charges pro- vided for by Article XXIII of the Telegraph Regulations, reduc- tions which a management (" administration ") might desire to apply to radiograms, shall be notified by the bureau at Berne in the same manner that changes of this sort relating to terminal telegraph charges are notified in the appendix to Table 1. 8 RADIO TELEGRAPH CONVENTION OF BERLIN. ARTICLE XXIII OF THE INTERNATIONAL TELEGRAPH SERVICE REGU- LATIONS REFERRED TO ABOVE. XXIII. 1. The tariff is fixed per word pure and simple; nevertheless, ea'ch adminis- tration may impose a minimum charge, which must not exceed one franc per telegram, or, in the case of traffic under the European regime only, may collect the charge in the form most convenient to it, provided that it observes the stipulations of Regulation XXVII. 2. For traffic under the European regime, one and the same elementary ter- minal rate and one and the same elementary transit rate are adopted by all the States. 3. The elementary terminal rate is fixed at 9 (10) centimes. 4. The elementary transit rate is fixed at 7 (8) centimes. 5. These two elementary rates are reduced, respectively, to 6 (6) centimes and to 34 (4) centimes for the following States : Belgiu.ni, Bosnia-Herzogovina, Bulgaria, Crete, Denmark, Greece, Luxemburg, Montenegro, Holland, Portugal, Rouinania, Servia, and Switzerland. 6. .Russia and Turkey, owing to the exceptional conditions of construction and maintenance of their systems, have the right to apply terminal and transit rates not exceeding 30 centimes and 24 centimes, respectively. 7. All States have the right to reduce their terminal and transit rates for all or a portion of their traffic, subject to the conditions laid down by Regula- tion XXVI. 8. A special transit rate may be fixed, in each particular case, for the sub- marine cable sections. EXTRACT FROM INTERNATIONAL TELEGRAPH CONVENTION AND SERVICE REGULATIONS, MENTIONED ABOVE. XXVI. 1. Alterations of the charges or of the methods of application of the tariffs which may be agreed upon between interested States, by virtue of paragraph 4 of article 10 and of article 17 of the Convention, must have for their object and effect, not to create a competition in charges between existing routes, but rather to open to the public as many routes as possible at equal charges; and the necessary combinations shall be so made that the terminal rates of the administrations of origin and destination are the same, no matter what route is followed. 2. Xo new charge, or modification, either of a general or partial character, affecting the ta'riffs shall come into operation before the lapse of at least 15 days after its notification by the International Bureau of the Telegraph Union, the date of notification not included. 3. The administrations of the contracting States undertake to avoid, as far as possible, changes of rates arising from interruptions of telegraphic communi- cation. XXVII. 1. The charges to be collectel under Regulations XXI to XXV may be rounded up or down, either after application of the normal rates per word fixed in accordance with the tables annexed to the present Regulations, or by an increase or decrease of those normal rates to suit the monetary or other convenience of the country of origin. 2. Modifications made in carrying out the preceding paragraph apply only to the charges collected by the office of origin, and in no way affect the distribu- tion of the rates accruing to the other Administrations concerned. They must be so regulated that the difference between the charge collected for a tele- gram of 15 words and the charge, calculated exactly in conformity with the tables by means of the equivalents given in the following paragraph, shall not exceed one-fifteenth of the latter charge that is to say, the regulation rate for one word. 9 EADIO TELEGRAPH CONVENTION OF BERLIN. AETICLE 11. The provisions of the present Convention are supple- mented by Regulations, which shall have the same force and go into effect at the same time as the Convention. The provisions of the present Convention and of the Regulations relating thereto may at any time be modified by the High Contracting Parties by common consent. Conferences of plenipotentiaries or simply administrative conferences, according as the Convention or the Regula- tions are affected, shall take place from time to time ; each conference shall fix the time and place of the next meeting. PROPOSITIONS. GREAT BRITAIN. For. the second paragraph, read as follows : " The provisions of the present Convention and of the Regulations relating thereto may at any time be modified by the High Contracting Parties by common consent. Conferences of plenipotentiaries having the power to modify the Convention of the Regulations will be held from time to time ; each Conference shall fix the time and place of the next meeting." REASONS. In accordance with the procedure observed by the Universal Postal Convention, it is desirable to modify article 11 so as to clearly indi- cate that the Conference has the power to treat all questions which may arise affecting either the Radio Telegraph Convention or the Service Regulations. ARTICLE 12. Such conferences shall be composed of delegates of the Governments of the contracting countries. In the deliberations each country shall have but one vote. If a Government adheres to the Convention for its colonies, possessions, or protectorates, subsequent confer- ences may decide that such colonies, possessions, or pro- tectorates, or a part thereof, shall be considered as forming a country as regards the application of the preceding 3514412 2 10 RADIO TELEGRAPH CONVENTION OF BERLIN. paragraph. But the number of votes at the disposal of one Government, including its colonies, possessions, or protectorates, shall in no case exceed six. PROPOSITIONS. RUSSIA. " In the deliberations concerning questions of a military and polit- ical nature, affecting the Army, the Navy, and the national defense in general, the right to vote of each State shall in every case be lim- ited to one vote." AKTICLE 13. An international bureau shall be charged with collect- ing, coordinating, and publishing information of every kind relating to radio telegraphy, examining the applica- tions for changes in the Convention or Regulations, pro- mulgating the amendments adopted, and generally per- forming all administrative work referred to it in the interest of international radio telegraphy. The expenses of such institution shall be borne by all the contracting countries. AKTICLE 14. Bach of the High Contracting Parties reserves to itself the right of fixing the terms on which it will receive radiograms proceeding from or intended for any station, whether on shipboard or coastal, which is not subject to the provisions of the present Convention. If a radiogram is received the ordinary rates shall be applicable to it. Any radiogram proceeding from a station on ship- board and received by a coastal station of a contracting country, or accepted in transit by the administration of a contracting country, shall be forwarded. Any radiogram intended for a vessel shall also be for- warded if the administration of the contracting country has accepted it originally or in transit from a noncontract- ing country^ the coastal station reserving the right to refuse transmission to a station on shipboard subject to a noncontracting country. 11 KADIO TELEGRAPH CONVENTION OF BERLIN. AETICLE 15. The provisions of articles 8 and 9 of this Convention are also applicable to radio installations other than those referred to in article 1. AETIOLE 16. Governments which are not parties to the present Con- vention shall be permitted to adhere to it upon their re- quest. Such adherence shall be communicated through diplomatic channels to the contracting Government in whose territory the last conference shall have been held, and by the latter to the remaining Governments. The adherence shall carry with it the fullest extent acceptance of all the clauses of this Convention and ad- mission to all the advantages stipulated therein. PROPOSITIONS. SPAIN. The Spanish management considers that a proposition should be made to the Conference to invite adherence to the International Con- vention and Kegulations by Governments and companies rendering abnormal service, such as that heretofore rendered by the radio stations of Morocco, as this would contribute toward making a universal radio service more easy. AETICLE 17. The provisions of articles 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, and 17 of the International Telegraph Convention of St. Petersburg of July 10 to 22, 1875, shall be applicable to international radio telegraphy. EXTRACT FROM THE INTERNATIONAL TELEGRAPH CONVENTION, SIGNED AT ST. PETERSBURG, JULY 10-22, 1875. [Referred to in article 17 of the Convention.] ARTICLE 1. The High Contracting Parties concede to all persons the right to correspond by means of the international telegraphs. ARTICLE 2. They bind themselves to take all the necessary measures for the purpose of insuring the secrecy of the correspondence and its safe transmission. 12 RADIO TELEGRAPH CONVENTION OF BERLIN. ARTICLE 3. They declare, nevertheless, that they accept no responsibility as regards the international telegraph service. ABTICLE 5. Telegrams are classed in three categories: 1. State telegrams: Those emanating from the head of the Nation, the minis- ters, the commanders in chief of the Army and Naval forces, and the diplomatic or consular agents of the contracting Governments, as well as the answers to such telegrams. 2. Service telegrams: Those which emanate from the managements of the telegraph service of the contracting States and which relate either to the inter- national telegraph service or to subjects of public interest determined jointly by such managements. 3. Private telegrams. In the transmission the State telegrams shall have precedence over other telegrams. ARTICLE 6. State telegrams and service telegrams may be issued in secret language in any communications. Private telegrams may be exchanged in secret language between two States which admit of this mode of correspondence. The States which do not admit of private telegrams in secret language upon the expedition or arrival of the same shall allow them to pass in transit, except in the case of suspension defined in article 8. ABTICLE 7. The High Contracting Parties reserve the right to stop the transmission of any private telegram which may appear dangerous to the safety of the State, or which may be contrary to the laws of the country, to public order or good morals. ARTICLE 8. Each Government also reserves the right to suspend the international tele- graph service for an indefinite period, if deemed necessary by it, either gen- erally, or only over certain lines and for certain classes of correspondence, of which such Government shall immediately notify all the other contracting Governments. ARTICLE 11. Telegrams relating to the international telegraph service of the contracting States shall be transmitted free of charge over the entire systems of such States. ARTICLE 12. . The High Contracting Parties shall render accounts to one another of the charges collected by each of them. ARTICLE 17. The High Contracting Parties reserve, respectively, the right to enter among themselves into special arrangements of any kind with regard to points of the service which do not interest the States generally. AETIOLB 18. In case of disagreement between two or more contract- ting Governments regarding the interpretation or execu- tion of the present Convention or of the Regulations referred to in article 11, the question in dispute may, by 13 RADIO TELEGRAPH CONVENTION OF BERLIN. mutual agreement, be submitted to arbitration. In such case each of the Governments concerned shall choose an- other Government not interested in the question at issue. The decision of the arbiters shall be arrived at by the absolute majority of votes. In case of a division of votes, the arbiters shall choose, for the purpose of settling the disagreement, another con- tracting Government which is likewise a stranger to the question at issue. In case of failure to agree on a choice, each arbiter shall propose a disinterested contracting Government, and lots shall be drawn between the Gov- ernments proposed. The drawing of the lots shall fall to the Government within whose territory . the inter- national bureau provided for in article 13 shall be located. AETIOLE 19. The High Contracting Parties bind themselves to take, or propose to their respective legislatures, the necessary measures for insuring the execution of the present Convention. AETICLE 20. The High Contracting Parties shall communicate to one another any laws already framed, or which may be framed, in their respective countries relative to the object of the present Convention. AETIOLE 21. The High Contracting Parties shall preserve their en- tire liberty as regards radio installations other than pro- vided for in article 1, especially naval and military installations, which shall be subject only to the obligations provided for in articles 8 and 9 of the present Convention. However, when such installations are used for general public service they shall conform, in the execution of such service, to the provisions of the Regulations as regards the mode of transmission and rates. 14 BADIO TELEGRAPH CONVENTION OF BERLIN. AETICLE 22. The present Convention shall go into effect on the 1st day of July, 1908, and shall remain in force for an in- definite period, or until the expiration of one year from the day when it shall be denounced by any of the Con- tracting Parties. Such denunciation shall affect only the Government in whose name it shall have been made. As regards the other Contracting Powers, the Convention shall remain in force. ARTICLE 23. The present Convention shall be ratified and the ratifi- cations exchanged at Berlin with the least possible delay. In witness whereof the respective plenipotentiaries have signed one copy of the Convention, which shall be deposited in the archives of the Imperial Government of Germany, and a copy of which shall be transmitted to each Party. Done at Berlin, November 3, 1906. For Germany : KEAETKE. SYDOW. For United States: CHARLEMAGNE TOWEE. H. N. MANNEY. JAMES ALLEN. JOHN I. WATEEBUEY. For Argentina: J. OLMI. For Austria: BAETH. .FEIES. For Hungary: PlEEEE DE SZALAY. DE. DE HENNYEY. HoLL6s. 15 RADIO TELEGRAPH CONVENTION OF BERLIN. For Belgium: F. DELAEGE. E. BUELS. For Brazil: OESAE DE CAMPOS. For Bulgaria: Iv. STOYAETOVITOH. For Chile: J. MUNOZ HURTADO. J. MEET. For Denmark: N. E. MEYEE. I. A. VOEHTZ. For Spain: IGNACIO MUEOIA. RAMON ESTRADA. RAFAEL RAVENA. ISIDRO OALVO % . MANUEL NORIEGA. ANTONIO PELAEZ-OAMPOMANES, For France: J. BOEDELONGUE. L. GASCHAED. BOULANGEE. A. DEVOS. For Great Britain: ^H BABINGTON SMITH. ~A. E. BETHELL. R. L. HIPPISLEY. For Greece: T. AEGYEOPOULOS. For Italy: J. COLOMBO. For Japan: OSUKE ASAITO. ROKUEE YASHIEO. SHUNKICHI KIMTJEA. ZIEO TANAKA. SABUEO HYAKUTAKE. 16 RADIO TELEGRAPH CONVENTION OF BERLIN. For Mexico : For Monaco: For Norway: For Netherlands For Persia: For Portugal: For Eoumania: Eor Eussia: For Sweden: For Turkey: For Uruguay: JOSE M. PEREZ. J. DEPELLEY. HEFT YE. 0. T. EIDEM. KEUYT. PEEK. HOVEN. HOVHANNES KHAN. PAULO BENJAMIN CABEAL. GE. CEEKEZ. A. EICHHOLZ. A. EULEE. VlCTOE BlLIBINE. A! EEMMEET. W. EJEDEINE. HEEMAN EYDIN. A. HAMILTON. NAZIF BEYT F. A. COSTANZO. PROPOSITIONS. AUSTRALIAN FEDERATION. 1. It is indispensable in the interests of the public telegraphic serv- ice that every ship shall be bound to communicate with every other ship without distinction as to the system employed on board such ship and to accept communications originating with such ship and those which may be transmitted by it. 2. It is indispensable in the interests of the safety of passengers that each ship provided with radio apparatus, receiving its electrical 17 RADIO TELEGRAPH CONVENTION OF BERLIN. energy from the dynamos of the ship, shall possess an installation for cases of distress, composed of a small storage battery connected with a spark induction coil ; the capacity of the battery shall be suffi- cient to assure communication at full power for six hours, so that such communications may be maintained independently of the energy furnished by the dynamos of the ship. 3. With a view to rendering the control more effective, it is neces- sary that ships .which have obtained a license outside a country having radio stations with which they carry on regular correspond- ence shall be bound to apply for a permit authorizing them to work in such country. The conditions under which the licenses relating to public stations are granted shall likewise serve as the basis for the issuing of the permits in question. 3514412- PART 2. SUPPLEMENTARY AGREEMENT. The undersigned plenipotentiaries of the Governments of Germany, the United States of America, Argentina, Austria, Hungary, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, Den- mark, Spain, France, Greece, Monaco, Norway, the Netherlands, Roumania, Russia, Sweden, Turkey, and Uruguay bind themselves mutually, from the date of the going into effect of the Convention, to conform to the provisions of the following supplementary articles : I. Each station on shipboard referred to in article 1 of the Convention shall be bound to correspond with any other station on shipboard without distinction of the radiotelegraphic system adopted by such stations respec- tively. II. The Governments which have not adhered to the fore- going article may at any time signify, by following the procedure prescribed by article 16 of the Convention, that they bind themselves to conform to its provisions. Those which have adhered to the foregoing article may at any time, under the same conditions as provided for in article 22, signify their intention to cease con- forming to its provisions. III. This agreement shall be ratified and the ratifications exchanged at Berlin with the least possible delay. In witness whereof the respective plenipotentaries have signed one copy of the present agreement, which 18 19 RADIO TELEGRAPH CONVENTION OF BERLIN. shall be deposited in the archives of the Imperial Gov- ernment of Germany, and a copy of which shall be trans- mitted to each of the Parties. Done at Berlin, November 3, 1906. For Germany: KEAETKE. SYDOW. For United States : CHAELEMAGNE TOWEE. H. K MANNEY. JAMES ALLEN. JOHX I. WATEBBTJEY. For Argentina: For Austria: For Hungary: For Belgium : For Brazil: For Bulgaria: For Chile: For Denmark : J. OLMI. BAETH. FEIES. PlEEEE DE SZALAY. DE, DE HENSTYEY. HOLLOS. F. DELAEGE. E. BUELS. CESAE BE CAMPOS. Iv. STOYANOVITCH. J. Mirfroz HURTABO. J. MEEY. ]S T . R. MEYEE, I. A. VOEHTZ. 20 KADIO TELEGRAPH CONVENTION OF BEELJN. For Spain: For France: For Greece: For Monaco: For Norway: For Netherlands For Roumania: For Russia: For Sweden: For Turkey: For Uruguay: IGNACIO MUECIA. RAMON ESTRADA. RAFAEL RAVENA. ISIDRO OALVO. MANUEL NORIEGA. ANTONIO PELAEZ-CAMPOMANES, J. BORDELONGTJE. L. GASCHARD. BOULANGER. A. DEVOS. T. ARGYROPOULOS. J. DEPELLEY. HEFTYE. 0. T. EIDEM. KRUYT. PERK. HOVEN. GR. CERKEZ. A. EICHOLZ. A. EULER, VICTOR BILIBINE. A. REMMERT. W. KEDRINE. HERMAN RYDIN. A. HAMILTON. NAZIF BEY. F. A. COSTANZO. PART 3. FINAL PROTOCOL. At the moment of signing the Convention adopted by the International Radio Telegraphic Conference of Berlin, the undersigned plenipotentiaries have agreed as follows : i. The High Contracting* Parties agree that at the next conference the number of votes to which each country is entitled (article 12 of the Convention) shall be decided at the beginning of the deliberations, so that the colonies, possessions, or protectorates admitted to the privilege of voting may exercise their right to vote during the entire course of the proceedings of such conference. This decision shall be of immediate effect and remain in force until amended by a subsequent conference. 'As regards the next conference, applications for the admission of new votes in favor of colonies, possessions, or protectorates which may have adhered to the Conven- tion shall be addressed to the International Bureau at least six months prior to the date of the convening of such con- ference. Notice of such applications shall at once be given to the remaining contracting Governments, which may, within the period of two months from the receipt of the notice, formulate similar applications. II. Each contracting Government may reserve the right to designate, according to circumstances, certain coastal sta- tions to be exempted from the obligation imposed by article 3 of the Convention, provided that, as soon as this 21 22 RADIO TELEGRAPH CONVENTION OF BERLIN. measure goes into effect, there shall be opened within its territory one or several stations subject to the obligations of article 3, insuring, within the region where the ex- empted stations are located, such radio service as will satisfy the needs of the public service. The Governments desiring to reserve this right shall give notice thereof in the form provided for in the second paragraph of article 16 of the Convention, not later than three months before the Convention goes into effect or, in case of subsequent adhesion, at the time of such adhesion. The countries whose names follow below declare now that they will not reserve such right : Germany, United States, Argentina, Austria, Hungary, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, Greece, Mexico, Monaco, Norway, Netherlands, Roumania, Russia, Sweden, Uruguay. III. The manner of carrying out the provisions of the fore- going article shall be at the discretion of the Government which takes advantage of the right of exemption; such Government shall be at liberty to decide from time to time, in its own judgment, how many stations and what stations shall be exempted. Such Government shall likewise be at liberty as regards the manner of carrying 23 RADIO TELEGRAPH CONVENTION OF BERLIN. out the provision relative to the opening of other stations subject to the obligations of article 3, insuring, within the region where the exempted stations are located, such radio service as will satisfy the needs of the public service. IV. It is understood that, in order not to impede scien- tific progress, the provisions of article 3 of the Conven- tion shall not prevent the eventual employment of a radio system incapable of communicating with other sys- tems; provided, however, that such incapacity shall be due to the specific nature of such system and that it shall not be the result of devices adopted for the sole purpose of preventing intercommunications. ' ' ' v. The adherence to the Convention by the Government of a country having colonies, possessions, or protectorates shall not carry with it the adherence of its colonies, pos- sessions, or protectorates unless a declaration to that effect is made by such Government. Such colonies, pos- sessions, and protectorates as a whole, or each of them separately, may form the subject of a separate adherence or a separate denunciation within the provisions of articles 16 and 22 of the Convention. It is understood that the stations on board of vessels whose headquarters is a port in a colony, possession, or protectorate may be deemed as subject to the authority of such colony, possession, or protectorate. VI. Note is taken of the following declaration : The Italian delegation in signing the Convention does so with the reservation that the Convention can not be ratified on the part of Italy until the date of the expira- tion of her contracts with Mr. Marconi and his company, or at an earlier date if the Government of the King of 24 KADIO TELEGRAPH CONVENTION OF BERLIN. Italy shall succeed in fixing such date by negotiations with Mr. Marconi and his company. VII. In case one or several of the High Contracting Parties shall not ratify the Convention, it shall nevertheless be valid as to the parties which shall have ratified it. In witness whereof the undersigned plenipotentaries have drawn up the present Final Protocol, which shall be of the same force and effect as though the provisions thereof had been embodied in the text of the Convention itself to which it has reference, and they have signed one copy of the same, .which shall be deposited in the archives of the Imperial Government of Germany, and a copy of which shall be transmitted to each of the parties. Done at Berlin, November 3, 1906. [Signed by all plenipotentiaries who signed the Convention, pp. 14, 16.] ' PROPOSITIONS. CANADA. NEW ARTICLE (VI a) . " The Canadian Government reserves the right to fix radio rates according to the method followed by the telegraph lines of North America, by charging a fixed rate for the first 10 words the address and signature not being charged for and a rate for each word above 10 words, it being possible for the fixed rate to be greater or less than the rate fixed by the Eegulations for a radiogram of 10 words. " The said Government furthermore reserves the right to fix sepa- rately for each of its coastal stations a total maritime rate, the coastal rate amounting to three-fifths and the shipboard rate to two-fifths of this total rate. The shipboard rates thus computed shall apply to all radiograms transmitted by Canadian coastal stations to any sta- tion on shipboard." REASONS. The Canadian management finds itself obliged to request this change because of the peculiar situation of the telegraph systems of its country. The Canadian management is endeavoring to adopt the inter- national method of calculating the cost of telegrams in. all that con- cerns the operations of its coastal stations, and it is very possible that this object will be attained before the conference takes place, in which case the above propositions shall be annulled. PART 4. SERVICE REGULATIONS AFFIXED TO THE INTERNATIONAL RADIO TELE- GRAPH CONVENTION. TABLE OF CONTENTS. Page. 1. Organization of radio stations 25 2. Hours of service of coastal stations 44 3. Form and posting of radiograms 45 4. Rates 53 5. Collection of charges 58 6. Transmission of radiograms: a) Signals of transmission 60 6) Order of transmission 63 c) Method of calling radio stations and transmission of radiograms 63 d) Acknowledgment of receipt and conclusion of work : e) Direction to be followed in sending radiograms ... 79 7. Delivery of radiograms at their destination 82 8. Special telegrams 86 9. Files 92 10. Rebates and reimbursements. 92 11. Accounts and payment of charges : . . . 96 12. International bureau 102 13. Miscellaneous provisions 106 1. OBGASTIZATIOK OF RADIO STATIONS. The choice of radio apparatus and devices to be used by the coastal stations and stations on shipboard shall be unrestricted. The installation of such stations shall as far as possible keep pace with scientific and technical progress. PROPOSITIONS. ITALY (1st). To consider in the Radio Telegraph Convention and also in the Regulations the definition of aerial radio stations. By this name shall be meant stations installed on board dirigibles, balloons, and aeroplanes. 25 3514412- 26 RADIO TELEGRAPH CONVENTION OF BERLIN. To consider also all that concerns the correspondence of aerial sta- tions with other radio stations. REASONS. The necessity for the propositions is self -evident-. Precise propositions have not been formulated for introduction into the Convention and Regulations in view of the special information which practical experience will be able to furnish from time to time on the subject of radio stations, and anticipating that the Conference of London will not meet until the month of June, 1912. ITALY (2d). Add after the words " stations on shipboard shall be unrestricted," the sentence w r hich follows : " Nevertheless the radio apparatus and devices shall be of a kind to permit transmission by musical note for public correspondence." REASONS. This addition has for its object the introduction of the use of sys- tems having a musical note for public correspondence with a view to preventing, if possible, the detrimental effects due to atmospheric discharges. In this way radio correspondence can be carried on more successfully. II. Two wave lengths, one of 300 meters and the other of 600 meters, are authorized for general public service. Every coastal station opened to such service shall use one or the other of these two wave lengths. During the whole time that a station is open to service it shall be in condition to receive calls according to its wave length, and no other wave length shall be used by it for the service of general public correspondence. Each Gov- ernment may, however, authorize in coastal stations the employment of other wave lengths designed to insure long-range service or any service other than for general public correspondence established in conformity with the provisions of the Convention, provided such wave lengths do not exceed 600 meters or that they do exceed 1,600 meters. 27 RADIO TELEGRAPH CONVENTION OF BERLIN. PROPOSITIONS. FRANCE. Add the following paragraph: " In particular the stations used for sending signals designed to facilitate the determination of the position of ships shall not employ wave lengths greater than 100 meters. The coastal stations which send time signals or transmit meteorological telegrams shall use a wave length of 2,500 meters." REASONS. It seems necessary to fix a maxium wave length for radiophares (radio stations for aids to navigation) in order to avoid the dis- turbances which these stations might introduce into the working of other stations. A maxium wave length of 100 meters would be sufficient. In the same manner it would be of advantage to provide a wave length to be employed by coastal stations sending time signals or transmitting meteorological telegrams. This measure would facili- tate the reception of such signals and correspondence by the stations on shipboard. This wave length might be fixed at 2,500 meters. GREAT BRITAIN. Change the text of Article II as follows : " Two wave lengths, one of 600 meters and the other of 300 meters, are authorized for the general public service. Every coastal station opened to such service should designate as its normal wave length either the wave length of 600 meters or that of 300 meters. During the whole time that a station is open to service it shall be in condi- tion to receive calls made by means of its normal wave length. Nevertheless each government, etc." REASONS. Experience has shown that it is desirable that coastal stations shall be free to use that one of the two wave lengths reserved for the general public correspondence which is best suited to its needs. According to the present provisions of Article II, stations are theoretically restricted to the use of one or the other of these two wave lengths. ITALY (1st). Replace the words : " Two wave lengths, one of 300 meters and one of 600 meters," by : " Two wave lengths, one of 400 meters and the other of 600 meters." REASONS. The wave length of 400 meters is now the one in current usage. It is therefore a question of taking account of this fact in the Regulations. 28 KADIO TELEGRAPH CONVENTION OF BERLIN. ITALY (2d). At the end of the same article add : " The musical note which coastal stations shall adopt for public correspondence shall lie between - - ^indicate a low musical note or the number of simple vibrations which form it) and - (indicate another higher musical note or the number of vibrations which form it) ." REASONS. In connection with the proposition referring to Article I it seems necesary to fix and indicate the musical notes which stations shall use. This is for the purpose of regulating the use of transmission by musical note which facilitates communications carried on simul- taneously. JAPAN. Amend Article II as follows, and suppress the present Article III: "ARTICLE II. " The wave length to be employed by coastal stations and stations on shipboard subject to the provisions of the Convention shall not exceed 600 meters or shall exceed 1,600 meters. " Coastal stations open to general public correspondence and all stations on shipboard shall, however, in order to reply to calls from other stations, always regulate their receiving wave length to 300 meters, at least when they are not in communication with another station." REASONS. It does not seem necessary to limit the wave length to two kinds, one of 300 meters and one of 600 meters. It seems preferable, rather, in the interests of the service and with the object of lessening cases of interferences to allow each office to employ the wave length which it considers best. It is nevertheless indispensable that the wave length for calls shall be made uniform. NETHERLANDS. Read as follows: "Wave lengths of 300 to 600 meters shall be authorized for the service of general public correspondence. Every soastal .station open to such service shall designate a wave length between the limits indi- cated above as its normal wave length. During the whole time that a station is open to service it shall be in condition to receive calls made by means of its normal wave length. " Each Government may, however, authorize in coastal stations the employment of other wave lengths designed to insure long-range service or any service other than for general public correspondence established in" conformity with the provisions of the Convention, pro- vided such wave lengths do not exceed 600 meters or that they do exceed 1,600 meters." 29 RADIO TELEGRAPH CONVENTION OF BERLIN. REASONS. Experience has shown that the Regulation fixing the wave lengths according to Articles II and III are too limited. III. 1. The normal wave length for stations on shipboard shall be 300 meters. Every station on shipboard shall be installed in such manner as to be able to use this wave length. Other wave lengths may be employed by such stations provided they do not exceed 600 meters. 2. Vessels of small tonnage which are unable to have plants on board insuring a wave length of 300 meters may be authorized to use a shorter wave length. PROPOSITIONS. AUSTRIA. Paragraphs 1 and 2. Replace the figure " 300 " by the figure " 600." REASONS. The normal wave length of the majority of stations on shipboard is at present 600 meters, and the wave length of the antennae of these vessels is at present almost always greater than 300 meters. To attain a wave length of 300 meters at present fixed by the service regulation, these vessels are compelled to intercalate condensers in the antennae, which are detrimental to the range of communication. Vessels whose antennae have a wave, length less than 300 meters will be able to attain a wave length of 600 meters by switching in additional inductance. FRANCE. Paragraph 2. Complete this paragraph as follows : " * * * a wave length less than this number of meters but greater than 150 meters." REASONS. It would be of advantage to use for correspondence only wave lengths greater than 150 meters, in order that radiophares may be able to use, without fear of interference, wave lengths of 100 meters. GREAT BRITAIN (1st). Paragraph 1. Replace the present text with the following : "The normal wave length for stations on shipboard shall be 600 meters, and this wave length shall not be exceeded for transmission. 30 KADIO TELEGRAPH CONVENTION OF BERLIN. Every station on shipboard shall be installed in such manner as to be able to use this wave length, as well as that of 300 meters. Inter- mediate wave lengths shall not be used, except in special cases, and only with the approval of the managements to which the coastal stations and stations on shipboard in question are subject." REASONS. Experience has show r n that a wave length of 600 meters is more generally adopted by stations on shipboard for the reason that it affords a greater radius of action than a wave length of 300 meters and is better adapted to the needs of public correspondence. Stations on shipboard should also be able to use a wave length of 300 meters in order to conform to the provisions of the new article to be inserted after Article III. GREAT BRITAIN (2d). Paragraph 2. Change the text, as follows : " Paragraph 1 shall not apply to vessels which it would be im- possible, or at least very difficult, to equip with a plant producing a wave length of 600 or 300 meters. In such case the vessels shall be authorized to employ a wave length of 150 meters." REASONS. It is considered advisable to fix a special wave length for the use of vessels of small tonnage which could not readily be supplied with apparatus permitting the use of the wave lengths provided for gen- eral public correspondence. ITALY. Paragraph 1. Replace the present text with the following: " 1. The normal wave lengths for stations on shipboard shall also be 400 and 600 meters. Every station on shipboard shall be installed in such manner as to be able to use without difficulty the wave lengths cited above. For communications at long range, however, other wave lengths may be employed by such stations, provided they do not exceed 1,600 meters." (Error?) Paragraph 2. Replace the words " wave length of 300 meters," referring to paragraph 2 of the article cited above by the following words : " Wave length of 400 meters." Add paragraph 3, as follows : " 3. The musical note which stations on shipboard shall use for the transmission of public radio correspondence shall lie between (indicate a high musical note or the number of simple vibrations which form it) and (indicate another higher musical note or its number of vibrations)." REASONS. The same as given for the propositions referring to Article II. JAPAN. Suppress the present Article III. 31 RADIO TELEGRAPH CONVENTION OF BERLIN. REASONS. (See the proposition above referring to the amendment' of Art. II.) NETHERLANDS. Kead Article III, as follows: " Wav e lengths up to 600 meters shall be authorized for stations on shipboard for the general public service. Every station on ship- board shall designate one of these wave lengths as its normal wave length. Other wave lengths may be employed by such stations, pro- vided they exceed 1,600 meters." REASONS. (See the reasons referring to Art. II.) GREAT BRITAIN. New article to be inserted at the end of Article III : "Communications between a station on shipboard and a coastal station shall be carried on on the part of both by means of the same wave length. When in a particular case much interference results therefrom the two stations may by common consent change this wave length. In this w^y a coastal station and a station on shipboard can agree between themselves to pass from a wave length of 600 meters, by means of which they are corresponding, to one of 300 meters, or from 300 to 600 meters. The stations shall, however, re- turn to their normal wave lengths as soon as the transmission of the message or messages is finished." Experience has shown the necessity for introducing this provision in order to prevent unnecessary interference and to provide all the means of communication possible for public correspondence. IV. 1. The International Bureau shall be charged with drawing up a list of radio stations of the class referred to in article 1 of the Convention. Such list shall contain for each station the following data: (1) Name, nationality, and geographical location in the case of coastal stations; name, nationality, distin- guishing signal of the International Code, and name of ship's home port in the case of stations on shipboard. (2) Call letters (the calls shall be distinguishable from one another, and each must be formed of a group of three letters) . 32 RADIO TELEGRAPH CONVENTION OF BERLIN. (3) Normal range. (4) Radio system. (5) Class of receiving apparatus (recording, acoustic, or other apparatus) . (6) Wave lengths used by the station (the normal wave length to be underscored) . (7) Nature of sendee carried on by the station: General public correspondence. Limited public correspondence (correspondence with vessels . . . .; correspondence with shipping lines . . . .; correspondence with ships fitted with apparatus of the .... system, etc.) . Long-range public correspondence. Correspondence of private interests. Special correspondence (exclusively official correspond- ence) , etc. (8) Hours during which the station is open. (9) Coastal rate or shipboard rate. 2. The list shall also contain such data relating to radio stations other than those specified in article 1 of the Convention as may be communicated to the Interna- tional Bureau by the management of the Radio Service (" administration") to which such stations are subject. PROPOSITIONS. GERMANY (1st). Paragraph 1. Replace the present text by the following: " 1. The International Bureau shall draw up, publish, and revise from time to time an official chart of coastal stations in which the normal range of these stations shall also be indicated. This chart shall contain, in addition, data concerning the principal lines of steam navigation and the time usually employed by vessels to make the voyage between the different ports." REASONS. The reception of telegrams will be facilitated if the posting offices have at their disposition a chart drawn up in accordance with a uniform system which shall give the information mentioned above. " 2. It shall draw up and publish a list of radio stations of the class referred to in article 1 of the Convention, and from time to time supplements to this list announcing additions and changes. Such list shall contain for each station the following data." 33 RADIO TELEGRAPH CONVENTION OF BERLIN. REASONS. With a view to making the wording of this paragraph conform as closely as possible to that of Article LXXXIV, paragraph 5, of the Telegraph Regulations, as revised at Lisbon. EXTRACT FROM THE INTERNATIONAL TELEGRAPH CONVENTION AND SERVICE REGULATIONS, MENTIONED ABOVE. LXXXIV. 5. It compiles and publishes a nomenclature of the telegraph offices open for the international service, including coast radio stations and periodical annexes to this work, showing the necessary additions and modifications. GERMANY (2d). Change paragraph 1 as follows: " 1. In the case of coastal stations: Name, nationality, and geo- graphical location. In the case of stations on shipboard: Name, nationality, distinguishing signal of the International Code, name of the ship's home port, name of the charterer, name of the contractor who works the station when it is not worked by the charterer himself, character of the personnel operating the station (professional radio operators or the personnel of the ship)." REASONS. In the interest of the accounts and in consideration of the two dif- ferent examinations proposed for radio operators on shipboard (pro- fessional operators and the personnel of the ships ; see the proposition made under paragraph 3 (b) of Article VI). SPAIN. It would be well to submit for consideration by the Conference the desirability of having the descriptive lists contain the names of the companies working the stations on shipboard if they are not worked by the owners of the ships. This management is of the opinion that such shipowners should enter into an agreement with the station contractors, as otherwise complications would arise in accounting with a National Government, even though the result should be advan- tageous to the station contractors. FRANCE. Paragraph 1. Eeplace this paragraph with the following text : " The International Bureau shall be charged with drawing up a list, of radio stations of the class referred to in article 1 of the Con- vention. Such list shall contain for each station the following data : "(1) Name, nationality, and geographical location indicated by the territorial subdivision in the case of coastal stations ; name, national- ity, distinguishing signal of the International Code of signals in the case of stations on shipboard ; "(2) Normal range by day and by night; 3514112 5 34 RADIO TELEGRAPH CONVENTION OF BERLIN. " (3) Characteristic indications of the transmitting system (musical note, etc.) ; "(4) Wave lengths used by the stations (the normal wave length to be underscored) ; "(5) Nature of the services carried on by the station and the dura- tion of the service ; "(6) Indication of the time and manner of sending time signals and meteorological telegrams; "(7) Coastal rate or 4 shipboard rate." REASONS. The present list contains certain unnecessary data which has no other effect but to add to the weight and increase the cost of the document. It is proposed therefore to publish only the necessary data for fixing the charges and dispatching radiograms. The geographical position shall be indicated merely by means of the territorial subdivision. Call letters shall be omitted and replaced by the distinguishing signal of the International Code of Signals. It is, in fact, unneces- sary to have two signals designating the same ship. Two numbers should be given for the range ; one for the range by day, the other for the range by night, in view of the difference exist- ing between these two numbers. Information concerning the nature of the radio system and the class of receiving apparatus is not needed; it seems preferable to replace such data by information concerning the character of the transmission. As will be seen further on, the nature and duration of the service carried on by the station should be indicated by the use of letters. The hour and the manner of sending time signals and meteorological radiograms should be indicated in the list in view of the interest which a knowledge of these elements would have for ships. Finally, the adoption of the proposition presented under Article XII would make the publication or the Qoastal rates and shipboard rates unnecessary since the rates there indicated are the ones which would be employed. GREAT BRITAIN. Paragraph 1. Under 1. cancel: " Distinguishing signal of the International Code." Under 3, replace the present text by the following: tt 3. Normal range by day, and in case of stations continuously open to service also the normal range by night." REASONS. It is desirable to make known as fully as possible the true i; normal tange." It has happened that a ship, although within the radius of action of the normal range of a station as published in the lists, has not been able to communicate with this station. 35 RADIO TELEGEAPH CONVENTION OF BERLIN. BRITISH INDIES. It seems necessary for the International Bureau to publish, in con- nection with the name of each ship or of each station, the name and address of the special central office with which accounts should be settled. REASONS. At present it is necessary in the British Indies to obtain this in- formation from the operator on board the ship. ITALY (1st). In case of the approval of the proposition relating to Articles I, II, and VI an additional paragraph should be added to Article IV, num- ber 6a, to read as follows: "6a. The musical tone of tfre transmission;" ITALY (2d). Add a new item under paragraph 1, to read as follows: " 10. Management, company, or individual who works a station." REASONS. The addition of the new item under paragraph 1 is necessary to indicate by whom a station is worked. It may in fact happen that coastal stations may be worked by private companies instead of by the Government of the country in which they are installed. Further- more the stations on shipboard may be worked by a radio telegraph company and not by the navigation companies who own the ships in which the stations are installed. The information in question is necessary when a special form of accounting for radio telegraphy, provided and authorized by the regulations, must be followed. The Italian management recently availed itself of this privilege of regulating in a special manner the settlement of its accounts with the Marconi company. ITALY (3d). Paragraph 2. Replace the words "by the management to which such stations are subject," by the following text: "By the management or the company to which such stations are subject, either in the case of managements adhering to the Conven- tion or of managements which are not adherents but which have made the declaration referred to in Article IX." REASONS. The change proposed for the last item of the same article has for its object the introduction into the list of all stations open to public service, provided the interested managements have assured the pay- ment of the charges which may eventually become due. 36 RADIO TELEGRAPH CONVENTION OF BERLIN. JAPAN. Paragraph 1. Revise item 3 as follows: "3. Normal range (indicate the normal range by day and that by night) ;" REASONS. There is a sensibly appreciable difference between the range by day and that by night. It therefore seems necessary to indicate the normal range by classing it under two heads. FRANCE. Add a third paragraph as follows : " 3. The following notations shall be adopted in documents for use by the International Service to designate radio stations : u PG Station open to general public correspondence. " PR Station open to limited public correspondence. " P Station for correspondence of private interests. " O Station open exclusively for official correspondence. " N Station having continuous service. " C Station carrying on full service during the day from 8 a. m. to 9 p. m. " L Station carrying on service limited to certain hours. " The first four notations may be combined with the last three." REASONS. In order to reduce the data contained in the list it is proposed to adopt the method employed for the list of telegraph offices consisting in the use of notations for designating the nature and duration of the service carried on by the offices. The notations given above seem to be sufficient for all cases; if necessary, certain of them could be specially amplified by repetitions. GREAT BRITAIN. Add a new paragraph as follows : " 3. (a) The word " radio " should be added to the name of each coastal station published in the official list. "() The name of a station on shipboard published in the first column of the official list should be followed, in case there are sev- eral vessels of the same name, by the call letters of this station." REASONS. It is proposed to add the word radio to the name of the coastal station instead of putting it in the preamble with a view (a) to making the omission of this word less probable in the course of trans- mission, and (&) to establishing a difference between the telegraph offices and the coastal stations bearing the same name. It is proposed to submit to the conference the suggestion of desig- nating every coastal station established in a little-known locality by the name of a large neighboring seaport or city, followed by the word radio. 37 RADIO TELEGRAPH CONVENTION OF BERLIN. Sometimes several ships of the same nationality bear the same name. In such cases the present instructions given for the purpose of distinguishing such ships entail unnecessary transmissions. It would be better for the radio service to use for this purpose the call letters. (See amendment to Art. XL) V. The exchange of superfluous signals and words is pro- hibited to stations of the class referred to in article 1 of the Convention. Experiments and practice will be per- mitted in such stations in so far as they do not interfere with the service of other stations. PROPOSITIONS. FRANCE (1st). Complete this article by the following sentence : " Practice shall be carried on with wave lengths different from those authorized for public correspondence." REASONS. The present text is not sufficiently definite; it seems necessary to specify that the use of the wave lengths for commercial service is prohibited in sending messages for practice. This measure will lessen interference produced by practice. FRANCE (2d). Add a new article, as follows : ARTICLE V a. " 1. A chart defining the zone covered by each coastal station open to general public correspondence shall be established in accordance with the rule fixed by Article XXX, paragraph 1. "Except in case of distress, a ship shall not correspond with any other coastal station than the one in whose zone it is. " 2. All stations are bound to carry on traffic with the minimum of power necessary to assure safe communication. "3. Waves sent out by a station shall be as pure and as little damped as possible. "4. Stations used for determining the position of ships (radio- phares) shall not have a range greater than 30 nautical miles. " Coastal stations charged with sending time signals and the trans- mission of meteorological radiograms shall not be limited as to the power to be used for sending the said signals and radiograms." 38 RADIO TELEGRAPH CONVENTION OF BERLIN. REASONS. The object of this new article is to facilitate the exchange of radio- grams by avoiding interference between the different stations. In order to define the measure proposed, a chart shall be published showing the zone covered by each coastal station on a basis of the rule established in Article XXX, paragraph 1. (A sample chart for French coastal stations is shown with the French text, published in Berne.) The provision made by Article XXVIII has been introduced into this article as being more appropriately placed. It seems necessary to define the conditions to be fulfilled by waves sent out by the stations. It would seem that the range of stations designed for determining the position of ships should be fixed at 30 miles, as beyond this range information furnished by such stations is no longer sufficiently accurate. Finally, in regard to stations charged with sending time signals and meteorological radiograms, no maximum of power should be imposed in order to permit such stations to be heard at as great a distance as possible. VI. 1. No station on shipboard shall be established or worked by private enterprise without authority from the Government to which the vessel is subject. Such author- ity shall be in the nature of a license issued by said Government. 2. Every station on shipboard that has been so author- ized shall comply with the following requirements: (a) The system employed shall be a syntonized system. (b) The rate of transmission and reception, under nor- mal conditions, shall not be less than 12 words a minute, words to be counted at the rate of 5 letters each. (c) The power transmitted to the radio apparatus shall not, under normal conditions, exceed 1 kilowatt. Power exceeding 1 kilowatt may be employed when the vessel finds it necessary to correspond while more than 300 kilometers (161.88 nautical miles) distant from the nearest coastal station, or when, owing to obstructions, communication can be established only by means of an increase of power. 3. The service of the station on shipboard shall be car- ried on by a radio operator holding a certificate issued by 39 RADIO TELEGRAPH CONVENTION OF BERLIN. the Government to which the vessel is subject. Such certificate shall attest the professional efficiency of the operator as regards (a) Adjustment of the apparatus. (b) Transmission and acoustic reception at the rate of not less than 20 words a minute. (c) Knowledge of the regulations governing the ex- change of radio correspondence. 4. The certificate shall furthermore state that the Gov- ernment has Abound the operator to secrecy with regard to the correspondence. PROPOSITIONS. GERMANY (1st). Paragraph 2. Replace (a) by the following: "(#) The logarithmic decrement of the aerial shall be less than 0.15 ; the receiving sj^stem shall be a syntonized system." REASONS. The term " syntonized system " is not sufficiently exact, each sys- tem being syntonized more or less. It would seem better to fix the degree of syntpnization which is determined by logarithmic decre- ment. GERMANY (2d). Paragraph 2. Replace the first sentence of (c) by the following text : "The power emitted by the aerial shall not, under normal condi- tions, exceed 0.75 kilowatt." In the second sentence replace the words " one kilowatt " by " 0.75 kilowatt." REASONS. The present wording admits of doubt as to whether the expression " one kilowatt " refers to the power transmitted to the primary cir- cuit or to that transmitted to the secondary circuit (aerial). Only the power emitted by the aerial should enter into the consideration. In order to avoid as fully as possible reciprocal interferences, a power of 0.75 kilowatt emitted by the aerial should be considered as sufficient. AUSTRIA. Paragraph 2 (c). Replace the text of (c) by the following: " The power transmitted to the radio apparatus shall not exceed the power necessary to produce the desired effect." 40 RADIO TELEGRAPH CONVENTION OF BERLIN. REASONS. The majority of stations on board modern commercial ships have a power of 2 kilowatts. FRANCE. Paragraph 2. Replace the text of this paragraph by the following: " 2. Every station on shipboard that has been so authorized shall comply also with the following conditions: "(#) The rate of transmission and reception, under normal condi- tions, shall not be less than 12 words a minute, words to be counted at the rate of 5 letters each ; "(&) Receiving apparatus shall be able to receive with the greatest possible assurance against interference all the business provided for in the present Regulations." REASONS. The changes proposed are entailed by Article V-a. Moreover it seems necessary to require that stations on shipboard shall be organ- ized so as to be able to receive with a maximum assurance against interference in order to avoid as much as possible requests for repetition. GREAT BRITAIN (1st). Paragraph 2 (a). Replace the present text by the following: "(#) The system employed shall be a system of electrical selection so far as the transmitter is concerned; that is to say, that. the trans- mission of waves, while producing the maximum excitation in a receiver suitably tuned or adjusted to these waves, shall be of a nature not to anect unduly receivers not so tuned or adjusted." REASONS. The term " electrical selection " seems to define more exactly the meaning of this provision. The expression " syntonized " is susceptible of being incorrectly interpreted. GREAT BRITAIN (2d). Paragraph 2 (b). Replace " twelve words a minute " by " twenty words a minute." REASONS. It being known that the radio operator on shipboard must be capable of transmitting and receiving 20 words a minute, it is only right that the installation on shipboard should be of a nature to permit the same rate of work. ITALY (1st). Paragraph 2. Add at the end of (a) : " with transmission by a musical note comprised between the tones (indicate the tones which shall be fixed by the propo- sition referring to Article II, in the new Xo. 3 submitted for con- sideration) ." 41 RADIO TELEGRAPH CONVENTION OF BERLIN. REASONS. The same as those given for the propositions submitted for Articles I, II. and III. ITALY (2d). Paragraph 2. Cancel (c). REASONS. The proposition to suppress (c), paragraph 2 of Article VI of the Regulations, has its reason in the fact that limitation to 1 kilowatt for the power transmitted to the radio apparatus is not sufficient for the practical needs in working. In fact, installations on board Italian and foreign ships almost always have a greater power. NETHERLANDS. Paragraph 2. Suppress (c). REASONS. To associate the power with the distance does not seem to conform to the technical nature of the installations. GERMANY (1st). Paragraph 3 (a). Cancel the comma and add the words: " and a knowledge of their manner of functioning ; ". REASONS. It is necessary that the examination should show that radio oper- ators on shipboard understand the functioning of the apparatus in order that such operators shall also be able to repair without delay any derangements of the apparatus which may occur. GERMANY (2d). Paragraph 3 (&). Add at the end: in the case of professional radio operators, and twelve words a minute in the case of the personnel of ships." REASONS. The present conditions of the examinations are too difficult to be fulfilled by the personnel of ships, especially those of freight steam- ers and fishing vessels. AUSTRIA. Paragraph 3 (&) . Replace the number " 20 " by the number " 16." REASONS. Although radio operators of warships attain a rate of 100 letters or figures a minute, those of commercial vessels, and especially the radio operators on board freight ships, very rarely attain this rate. 3514432 42 RADIO TELEGRAPH CONTENTION OF BERLIN. BELGIUM. Paragraph 3. Change the wording of the first sentence of this paragraph as follows: " * * *, provided such operator is not already in possession of a certificate from another contracting Government. The certificate * * * ( the " instead of " such ") . REASONS. It sometimes happens that a radio operator in charge of the service of a station on shipboard under one of the contracting coun- tries, and therefore possessing the regulation certificate, is assigned to the service of a station on board a ship of another nationality. In such case the present text compels the Government to whom the last-named ship is subject to submit the efficiency of the operator to new proof, although his efficiency has already been recognized by another Government. This formality would seem to be superfluous. DENMARK. Paragraph 3 (6). New wording: "The rate of transmission and acoustic reception in case of radio operators carrying on the service of large ships authorized to have more than fifty passengers on board, shall not be less than twenty words a minute, and in the case of radio operators carrying on the service of other stations on shipboard it shall not be less than twelve words a minute." REASONS. The provision of the present Regulation that the radio operator shall be able to transmit and receive radiograms at a rate not less than 20 words a minute constitutes a serious obstacle to the employ- ment of radio telegraphy on board ships of small tonnage or on board ships designed solely for carrying merchandise. The correspondence with such ships is slight, and the radio work must be performed by a member of the crew. The difficulty of receiving and transmitting at a rate of 20 words a minute is too great for mariners, and the proposition in question compels the shipowners to hire a man especially for the radio serv- ice, which is too expensive, or to give up the station. ITALY (1st). Add to Article VI the following paragraph: " 5. Stations on shipboard, when the ship is under way, shall be manned during the first fifteen minutes of each hour, such hour to be referred to a special meridian, which shall be determined. " This is for the purpose of assuring the reception and transmission of radiograms as well as the reception of calls of distress." REASONS. Article 9 of the Radio Telegraph Convention compels stations to accept by absolute priority calls of distress coming from ships. 43 RADIO TELEGRAPH CONVENTION OF BERLIN. However, it is necessary to insert a special provision to compel ships under way to have an operator at the radio instruments listen- ing in at fixed intervals of time in order to respond promptly to such calls. The proposition is intended to assure the reception of urgent com- munications by ships, which does not seem obligatory, since, for example, the English Radio Telegraph Regulations, under article 6, last sentence, clearly indicate that English ships are not compelled to exchange communications with other ships except in case of dis- tress; but there is no provision for putting the ships in a condition to receive without fail the communications referred to above. ITALY (2d). Insert a new article as follows: "ARTICLE VI a. " Stations on shipboard reserved for general public service should have a minimum normal range of 300 kilometers (101.88 nautical miles) . This range shall be guaranteed by the managements in question by means of a regular supervision in order to be certain that the power of the installations is sufficient. Account shall be taken of the efficiency of the system adopted for transmission compared with a standard receiving system." REASONS. The adoption of Article Vl-a would tend to assure the efficiency of the stations on shipboard either for calls in case of distress or for the transmission of radiograms on the high seas sent from one ship to another for the purpose of reaching the Continent. In order to promote the efficiency of the control to be exercised over the installations on shipboard by the managements with a view to guaranteeing a range of 300 kilometers, the necessary power of the different SA^stems of radio telegraphy should be determined by ref- erence to a standard receiving system (aerials, type of electrolytic detector, known circuits of resonance, earth wires). ITALY (3d). Add a new article. Vl-b, to read as follows: "ARTICLE Vl-b. " Stations of high power specially indicated in the list of radio stations shall give periodically, and at stated times, the local time signal or that of the standard meridian of the district in which the stations are located in order that ships at sea may be able to regulate their chronometers. " In the case of stations of high power located in the same district, the signal above mentioned shall be sent at different times indicated in the list of radio stations." REASONS. The reasons for this proposition are self-evident 44 KADIO TELEGRAPH CONVENTION OF BERLIN. VII. If the management of the radio service of a country has knowledge of any infraction of the Convention or of the Eegulations committed in any of the stations author- ized by it, it shall ascertain the facts and fix the. respon- sibility. In the case of stations on shipboard, if the operator is responsible for such infraction, the management of the radio service shall. take the necessary measures; and if the necessity should arise, withdraw the certificate. If it is ascertained that the infraction is the result of the condition of the apparatus or of instructions given the operator, the same method shall be pursued with regard to the license issued to the vessel. 2. In cases of repeated infractions chargeable to the same vessel, if the representations made to the manage- ment of the country to which the vessel is subject by that of another country remain without effect, the latter shall be at liberty, after giving due notice, to authorize its coastal stations not to accept communications proceeding from the vessel at fault. In case of disagreement be- tween the managements of the radio service of two countries, the question shall be submitted to arbitration at the request of either of the two Governments at issue. The procedure in such case shall be the same as indicated in article 18 of the Convention. 2. HOUES OF SERVICE OF OASTAL STATIONS. VIII. 1. The service of coastal stations shall, as far as pos- sible, be constant, day and night, without interruption. Certain coastal stations, however, may have a service of limited duration. The management of the radio serv- ice of each country shall fix the hours of service. 2. The coastal stations whose service is not constant shall not close before having transmitted all their radio- 45 RADIO TELEGRAPH CONVENTION OF BERLIN. grams to the vessels which are within their radius of action, nor before having received from such vessels all the radiograms of which notice has been given. This provision is likewise applicable when vessels signal their presence before the actual cessation of work. PROPOSITIONS. FRANCE. Change the title as follows : " 3. Address of Radiograms." REASONS. (See below under Art. IX.) 3. FORM AND POSTING OF RADIOGRAMS. IX. If the route of a radiogram is partly over telegraph lines or through radio stations subject to a noncontracting Government, such radiogram may be transmitted pro- vided the managements of the radio service to which such lines or stations are subject have declared that, if the occasion should arise, they will comply with such provi- sions of the Convention and of the Regulations as are indispensable to the regular transmission of radiograms and that the payment of charges is insured. PROPOSITIONS. BULGARIA. Change the article as follows: " The transmission of a radiogram originating in a nonadhering country over the lines or through the radio stations of adhering countries shall not be permitted except on condition that the Gov- ernment of the nonadhering country in which the radiogram origi- nated has declared that, if the occasion should arise, it will comply with such provisions of the Convention and of the ^Regulations as are indispensable to the regular transmission of radiograms, and that the payment of charges is assured. " This declaration shall be made to the International Bureau and communicated to the offices of the Telegraph Union." 46 RADIO TELEGRAPH CONVENTION OF BERLIN. REASONS. The question here seems to be rather that of permitting the trans- mission of radiograms originating in a nonadhering country over the lines or through the radio stations of adhering countries, similar to the stipulations of Article XVII of the Universal Postal Conven- tion of Rome, regulating the relations between the countries out- side the Union and the countries of the Union, by intermediation of a neighboring country belonging to the Union with a country outside the Union. In fact the question arises: Are the present stipulations of Article IX obligatory or optional in the case of a nonadhering country, and what would the position of an adhering country be with respect to a nonadhering country which was not disposed to make the declaration required by this article in case the adhering country should need to have recourse to the service of the non- adhering country? The present stipulations seem to contain an advantage for the nonadhering country in transmitting radiograms in transit over its lines or through its radio stations, and at the same time such trans- mission is made dependent upon the condition that the declaration in question has been made. Now, is it to be understood that in the absence, for example, of such a declaration on the part of a non- adhering country, adhering countries will be under the necessity of refusing to post radiograms the transmission of which would neces- sitate borrowing the- telegraph lines of a nonadhering country, while paragraph 2 of Article XXXVI of the Regulations (similarly par. 6 of Art. LXII of the International Service Regulations, revised at Lisbon) provides that for transmission over telegraph lines radio- grams shall be treated in accordance with the International Telegraph Regulations ?. The Bulgarian management considers that in any event the pres- ent stipulations of Article IX should be elucidated in order to avoid misinterpretation. EXTRACT FROM INTERNATIONAL TELEGRAPH CONVENTION AND SERVICE REGULATIONS. MENTIONED ABOVE. RADIOGRAMS. Reg. LXII. 1. A special nomenclature contains the particulars necessary for radio cor- respondence with ships at sea. especially the designations of stations and the radio charges. 2. Radiograms bear in the preamble the service instruction " Radio." 3. Radiograms are written in conformity with the rules in chapter -4, and subject to the application of the provisions of Reg. LX. The use of groups of letters taken from the International Code of Signals is permitted. 4. The charge for a radiogram comprises: (1) The charge for transmission over the lines of the telegraph system, calculated according to the general rules. (2) The charge proper to the transmission over sea. viz: (a) The coast charge. (&) The ship charge. These two latter rates are indicated in the Nomenclature of Radio Stations. The total charge for a radiogram is collected from the sender. 5. Radiograms which, notwithstanding their defective reception, are consid- ered by the coast station fit for delivery, bear in the preamble the service instruction " Reception doubtful," which is transmitted to destination. 47 RADIO TELEGRAPH CONVENTION OF BERLIN. 6. In respect of transmission over the lines of the telegraph system, radio- grams are treated, for accounting purposes, in conformity with the provisions of chapter 18. As regards the maritime transit, the coast and ship charges are included in special monthly accounts. These accounts are made out by the administrations responsible for the coast stations, radiogram by radiogram, with all necessary particulars, within six months from the month to which they relate. 7. In respect of radiograms destined for ships, the administration which has collected the charges is debited directly with the coast and ship charges by the administration responsible for the coast station. 8. Modifications of the provisions of the present regulations relating to radio- grams, which may be rendered necessary in consequence of decisions of future radio telegraph conferences, will be brought into force on the date fixed for the application of the provisions adopted by each of these latter conferences. FRANCE. Transfer Article IX to section 13 " Miscellaneous provisions." REASONS. The modifications proposed relate to questions of form. It seems preferable that the provisions of Article IX should be placed in the chapter on miscellaneous provisions. In the same way rules concerning the constitution of the preamble, should be inserted in the chapter of rules referring to transmission, analogous to what has been done in International Telegraph Regula- tions. It results from the foregoing that the title of section 3 applies only to the address of radiograms. X. 1. Kadiograms shall show in the preamble that the service is radio. 2. In the transmission of radiograms of shipboard sta- tions to coastal stations the date and hour of posting may be omitted in the preamble. Upon reforwarding a radiogram over the telegraph system the coastal station shall show thereon its own name as the office of origin, followed by that of the vessel, and shall state as the hour of posting the hour when the radiogram was received by it. PROPOSITIONS. FRANCE. Transfer this article to section 6e. " Transmission of radiograms." REASONS. (See above under Art. IX.) 48 RADIO TELEGRAPH CONVENTION OF BERLIN. GREAT BBITAIN. (See proposition under par. 2.) ITALY. Change the first paragraph as follows: " 1. Radiograms shall contain as the first word of the preamble the designation of the service : ' Radio.' ' ! REASONS. The word radio serves to designate a special class of telegrams similarly to the words press, urgent, state, etc., which are given the first place in the preamble. There is no reason why the same method should not be followed for the designations to be given to radio- grams, especially as the word radio placed at the beginning of the preamble could scarcely fail to be transmitted. NETHERLANDS. Insert, between paragraphs 1 and 2 of this article, paragraph 2 of Article XVII. and change the number of the present paragraph 2 to 3. REASONS. It seems logical to transfer the provision in question to Article X of the division " Form and posting of radiograms." AUSTRIA. Paragraph 2, second item. Replace the text of the second item by the following: "Upon forwarding a radiogram over the telegraph system the coastal station shall show thereon its own name, followed by that of the vessel and that of her nationality, as the office of origin; the hour when the radiogram was received shall be given as the hour of posting." REASONS. The indication of the nationality of the vessel is desirable in order to facilitate the settlement of international accounts. GREAT BRITAIN. Replace the present text of paragraphs 1 and 2 by the following: " 1. In the transmission of radiograms from a station on ship- board to a coastal station the hour of posting may be omitted in the preamble; the date of posting shall be indicated only when it is different from the date of transmission of the radiogram to the coastal station. " 2. Upon forwarding a radiogram over the ordinary telegraph lines the coastal station shall show thereon the name of the vessel of origin or, if necessary, that of the last vessel which served as in- termediary, as the name of the office of origin. These designations 49 RADIO TELEGRAPH CONVENTION OF BERLIN. shall be followed by the name of the coastal station, to which shall be added the word radio, for example " Ushantradio." There shall likewise be indicated the date and hour of reception of the radio- gram by the coastal station, followed, if necessary (see par. 1), by the date of posting at the station on shipboard." REASONS. It is desirable to indicate the date of posting on shipboard when it is different from the date of reception at the coastal station, as well as the name of the last ship which served- as intermediary in the case of forwarding radiograms. The omission of these designations might lead to misunderstanding. It is desirable to suppress the word radio in the preamble and to add this word to the name of the coastal station, believing that there would be less probability of this w r ord being overlooked in the course of transmission, and with a view to avoiding any confusion with a telegraph office of the same- name. The present practice being capable of giving rise to mistakes, the name of the ship or ships should precede the name of. the coastal station in the preamble. XL The address of radiograms intended for ships at sea shall be as complete as possible. It shall embrace the following : (a) The name of the addressee, with additional des- ignations, if any. (b) The name of the vessel as it appears in the list, supplemented by her nationality and, if necessary, by her distinguishing signal of the International Code, in case there are several vessels of the same name. (c) The name of the coastal station as it appears in the list. PROPOSITIONS. GEE-MANY. (&) Add at the end the following words: k> However, the name of the vessel may be written as a single word and shall then be counted for as many words as the number of its characters divided by 15." REASONS. With a view to removing doubts which have arisen on this subject. 3514412 7 50 RADIO TELEGRAPH CONVENTION OF BERLIN. BELGIUM. Change (6) as follows: "(&) The name of the vessel as it appears in the international list, supplemented by her nationality, and, if necessary, by her distin- guishing signal of the International Code; each of these designa- tions to be counted as one word whatever may be the number of characters which they contain." REASONS. The present wording permits the belief that the designation of the nationality of the vessel is obligatory, while it should be mentioned only when there are several vessels of the same name! On the other hand, it is reasonable to rate as a single word the name of a station on shipboard, as such station constitutes the ad- dress of the radiogram in the same way as a coastal station, although Article X of the Convention provides that the latter should be con- sidered as the address. FRANCE. Replace the text of this article by the following : " The address of radiograms intended for ships at sea should be as complete as possible. It shall embrace the following : "(a) The name of the addressee, with additional designations, if any; "(&) The name of the vessel as it appears in the list. In case there are several vessels of the same name, this name shall be sup- plemented either by the nationality of the vessel or by her distin- guishing signal of the International Code of Signals; "(} Her true course in degrees counted from to 360. "(