Harry S. Knapp to Joseph C. Grew

I am returning the correspondence regarding submarine cables which came to me with your pencil indorsement. The subject is an important one, and one of increasing importance as time goes on and trawler fishing becomes more and more extended. While means of communication are being increased bty the use of radio, the needs of the world in the way of communication are probably increasing faster than the means of communication theselves, and it is very important to preserve those existing in every possible way.

The areas through which cables approach a coast can hardly comprise a very considerable portion of fishing fgrounds, although I am not speaking in this respect from any positive knowledge; but if I am correct in this assumtion, the general communication needs of the world should take precedence over the limited rights of fishermen involved and the need of the prodict of their industry from restricted areas.

It occurs to me that, with so many foreign delegations in Paris, having more or less complete powers of negotiation, it might be possible to conclud a protocol to the Convention of 1884, pending a more complete revision of that Convention. The point raised in the letter of Mr. Mackey is an important one, that there must be international action or else the fishermen of any one nation, if restricted by the orders of that nation itself, will protest when the nationals of other governments do not labor under the same restrictions on fishing grounds in high seas areas.

Although not appearing in the Peace Treaty with Germany, it is understood that the whole question of international communication will, by agreement of the Principal Powers, be madetthe subject of inquiry and recommendation by a special commission to be convened after the coming into effect of the Treaty. This agreement was made in consequence of the question of the disposition of the former German cables which were surrendered to the Allies and the United States. The question of the protection of cables ,might well be made a part of the agenda of this commission.