[Milsurplus] Re: Prosigns in Use in 1912?

[David Stinson]

Thank you to everyone who helped with this.

Some of the source material is conflicting.
Some sources say the "Q," which was attached to 
existing signals, was created in 1912 and formally
adopted in July of 1913:

  "...in 1908, the British Post Office, despairing of action 
   to agree an international code of abbreviations, issued its own list 
   of two letter abbreviations intended for use between 
   British coast stations and ships. The list, published in the PMG's 
   Instructions to Wireless Telegraphists, included abbreviations 
    RA to RZ and SA to SF. 
   The next International Radiotelegraphic Convention, 
   held in London in July 1912, adopted and extended the 
   GPO abbreviations. "Q" was added as the first letter 
   and so the "Q" code was born. The new code 
   now ran from QRA to QRZ and QSA to QSX. 
   On July 1st, 1913, the Q code finally became 
   an official international information code..."
(source:
   http://www.qsl.net/w5www/73.html#QZ  )

However, a handbook published in 1909:
    "Handbook for Wireless Telegraph Operators 
     & Working Installations licensed by
     His Majesty's Postmaster-General 
     Revised Edition 
     October 1909 "

already codifies the "Q" signals (excerpt):

  "In the use of these abbreviations, the signal employed 
   should be repeated three times. 
  The addition of the mark of interrogation ..--.. 
  indicates that the sentence is being put as a question. 
  Thus --- 

  "QRA QRA QRA Campania", indicates "I am the Campania." 

  "QRA QRA QRA ..--.." indicates "What ship or coast station is that ?" 

   Example of the use of this table between two stations 
   A and B which have established communications:- 

   A. QRA QRA QRA ..--..  (What ship is that ?) 

   B. Campania. 

   A. QRG QRG QRG ..--.. (What line do you belong to ?) 

   B. Cunard. QRZ QRZ QRZ (Your signals are weak). 

   A. would then increase power and make QRK QRK QRK ..--.. 
    (How are signals ?) 

   B. QRV QRV QRV (All right now). 

(source with list of Q sigs:
    http://www.telegraph-office.com/pages/q-signals-1909.html )

Has anyone an idea how to reconcile these points?
Thanks,
D.S.