Imagine people in 1890s or so, hearing about this almost instant transfer of messages, news to any part of the world - would be nothing short of magical modern technology.

?? The system was completed in 1902. There had already been transatlantic telegraph cables (and I assume others) for many decades.

If they had a positive outlook on technological development, yea. But that's cultural and perhaps didn't get into full swing until the mid 1900s and has now waned. Look at today how many pessimists hate LLMs despite them being even more magical modern technology.