The facsimile apparatus of the present invention is featured, by the functions of selecting transmission modes of picture signals according to a receiving mode informed of from a called party, for example, of transmitting picture signals representative of a picture reduced in size in case an original documents is larger in size than a recording sheet of paper of activating, in case a called machine is in a automatic reception mode, an acoustic output device incorporated in the called machine through a preliminary telephone talk function to request telephone talk with a called subscriber; and of maintaining a transmission line in its active state to call a called subscriber after transmission of picture signals in case a telephone talk is reserved or, otherwise, releasing the connection after transmission of picture signals in case a telephone talk is not reversed.The above-mentioned functions may be incorporated into a certain transmission protocol thereby accomplishing communication compatibility with other transmission-reception modes of picture signals.