SENATOR SMITH: Looking at the message which you hold in your hand, signed by Bruce Ismay, addressed to Islefrank, New York City, containing a formal statement of the sinking of the Titanic and the great loss of life, and with the information which I give you, that Mr. Ismay, said under oath, that he had delivered that message to the operator on the Carpathia between 4 and 5 o'clock Monday morning, the 15th day of April, how can you account for its failure to reach Halifax until nearly three days thereafter? MR. BALFOUR: It should have been sent through the quickest means to Cape Race, which would have been, probably, the Californian, or some other steamer west of the Carpathia. Probably the message was carried forward by some ship losing touch with Cape Race, and sent ashore at Sable Island. That was the only way it could get through to Halifax, or it might have been held by the Carpathia's operator until he got in touch with Sable Island. That was quite feasible, and quite probable. SENATOR SMITH: But not very thoughtful? MR. BALFOUR: Not very thoughtful; certainly not. SENATOR SMITH: Did you receive any message from Capt. Smith, of the Titanic during her voyage, other than the ones you have described? MR. BALFOUR: Yes; we received a message from Capt. Smith in answer to our message sent about 11:50. The reply from the Titanic was received about 11:50 a.m. SENATOR SMITH: On what day? MR. BALFOUR: On Sunday, the 14th. These messages read as follows: S. S. "Baltic," Apr. 14, 1912. Capt. Smith, Titanic: Have had moderate variable winds and clear fine weather since leaving. Greek Steamer Athinai reports passing icebergs and large quantity of field ice to­day in latitude 41.51 north, longitude 49.52 west. Last night we spoke German oil tank Deutschland, Stettin to Philadelphia, not under control; short of coal; latitude 40.42 north, longitude 55.11. Wishes to be reported to New York and other steamers. Wish you and Titanic all success. COMMANDER. Capt. Smith's reply, received at 12:55 p.m. on the 14th of April, reads as follows: April 14, 1912. S. S. "Titanic" to Commander, "Baltic." Thanks for your message and good wishes. Had fine weather since leaving. SMITH. SENATOR SMITH: Did you get any other messages from him? MR. BALFOUR: No. We gave him the unofficial ice report at the same time as we sent the original message, simply verifying the ice report that we got from the Prinz Friedrich Wilhelm and from the Amerika. I heard those ice reports going to him from the Prinz Friedrich Wilhelm and the Amerika, and I just verified their position with him unofficially. SENATOR SMITH: What time was it you sent that? MR. BALFOUR: That would be about 10:30 a.m., on the 14th, Sunday. SENATOR SMITH: What was the position of the Amerika at that time, do you remember? MR. BALFOUR: About 40 miles ahead of us. SENATOR SMITH: Going the same way? MR. BALFOUR: Going east; The Prinz Friedrich Wilhelm was about 40 or 50 miles ahead of her, going in the same direction. SENATOR SMITH: Did you hear anything that you now recall from the Mount Temple? MR. BALFOUR: No; we never had the Mount Temple at all. She was too far away. SENATOR SMITH: Four very important things occurred that night which I want you to know as an experienced wireless operator: 1. The first ship to respond to the C.Q.D. call of the Titanic was the Frankfurt, which did not give its position. 2. The next thing is that Cottam accidentally caught that C.Q. D. call from the Titanic as he was undressing for bed, and in five minutes more he would have had the instrument off his head. 3. Third is the belated inquiry from the Frankfurt, 20 minutes after the C.Q.D. call had been received, asking "What is the matter?" and there was the rejoinder of the Titanic's operator, who did not know the position of the Frankfurt, "You are a fool. Keep out." 4. The fourth thing is the fact that when the Californian called the Titanic to tell her of her proximity to ice, Bride was figuring his accounts and held the message off for 30 minutes. Can you think of anything that will throw any light upon this inquiry? MR. BALFOUR: No; I can not. I would like, myself to find out where those messages originated, and the only thing I can suggest about finding out about those messages is to get the copies from the cable companies and trace them in that way. Witness excused. The memorandum referred to and read from by Mr. Balfour in giving his testimony is here printed in full, as follows: [Extract of P. V. book Marconi office, steamship Baltic, Apr. 14, 1912.] SUNDAY, April 14, 1912. 10:45 p.m.­­ Calling Titanic; no response. 11:10 p.m.­­ Jambing bad, but hear Titanic very faint, calling Olympic ­ latter strong; freaky. Heard Caronia calling. He tells me Titanic requires immediate assistance; gives position. 41.16 N., 50.14 W. ­ I advise bridge and call Titanic, but unable to gain his attention. He appears to be tuned to Olympic and cuts me out. 11:35 p.m.­­ Titanic tells Olympic, "We are getting the women off in small boats." 11:45 p.m.­­ Titanic says, "Engine room getting flooded." MONDAY, April 15, 1912 Message from bridge gives our position 243 miles east of Titanic. 12:10 a.m.­­ Signals Amerika and Prinz Fredk. Wilhelm. 1:05 a.m.­­ Virginian now calling Titanic and Olympic. 2:10 a.m.­­ Prinz Fredk. Wilhelm calls C.Q. I tell him stand by on phones and not call. 3:05 a.m.­­ Eastport, Me. (station on Bay of Fundy) asks Frankfurt re C.Q.D. calls (he was jambing me at 11:05 p.m.) 5:05 a.m.­­ Signals Carpathia. Unable to work owing to persistent jambing by Californian, who is talking all the time. 5:30 a.m.­­ Californian persists in talking to steamship Birma such remarks as "Do you see a four­master salmon, pink smoke­stack, steamer around," etc. Impossible for us to work. 5:45 a.m.­­ Antillian calls C.Q. Told to stand by. 6:55 a.m.­­ Signals Carpathia but can do nothing for jambing by Californian and Birma, who are carrying on long, irrelevant conversations. 7:10.­­ In communication with Carpathia; exchange traffic re passengers and get instructions to proceed Liverpool. We turn around at 7:15 a.m. We have come west 134 miles. 9:10.­­ Signals "United States." 9:20.­­ Two from Virginian 10:15.­­ Signals Virginian and Antillian. 10:30.­­ Californian still monopolizing the air with his remarks. Carrying on conversations with every station. Carpathia is trying to send me a message but communication is out of the question owing to Californian. 11.­­ Still impossible to work Carpathia owing to Californian and Prinz Adalbert. Noon.­­ By on phones trying for Carpathia. 12:50.­­ Signals Bohemian 1:00.­­ Balfour off. Gilbert W. Balfour, Officer in charge, Marconi Telegraphs, Steamship "Baltic." [Copies of message sent and received with reference to the Titanic.] April 14, 1912. 11:10 p.m.­­ Urgent message sent to bridge, "Titanic struck berg ­ position 41.46N. 50.14. Wants immediate assistance. 11:20.­­ Sent to bridge. "Capt. Smith says "Get all your boats ready, sinking'." 11:35.­­ Titanic sends C.Q.: "We are getting the women off in small boats." 11:45.­­ Titanic sends C.Q.: "Engine room getting flooded." 11:50.­­ From Baltic to Titanic: "Capt. Smith, Titanic ­ Baltic coming; we are 243 miles east." 7:07 a.m.­­ From Baltic to captain, Carpathia: "Can I be of any assistance to you as regards taking some of the passengers from you. Will be in the position about 4:30. Let me know if you alter your position." COMMANDER BALTIC. 7:10 a.m. From captain Carpathia to captain Baltic: "Am proceeding for Halifax or New York, full speed. You had better proceed to Liverpool. Have about 800 passengers aboard." Gilbert W. Balfour, care Marconi.