The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-12-30

Negotiations Between the Postmaster Gen.
eral and the COntractOrs-Wh Was
Accomplished = Pressure on the
German Lines The North
German Ll0yd's Yielding.

Tho HERALD yesterday furnished its readers with
fu and clear statement or the causes OF the difn-
culties now existing between the Post Once De-
partment at washington and tho several European
steamship lines, who have, up 10 this, carried the
mails both ways across the ocean. Merely referring
70 these statements OF yesterday, showing that the
reduction Of the rate OF ocean postage between
the United States ana Great Britain was the main
and only cause, 1t may be stated that from early in
the forenoon TIL late in the day yesterday Postmas
ter General j. A. j. Creswell and Mr.. Blackian, OF
the Bureau OF Foreign Mails, in the department at
Washington, occupied the private ONCE Of General
r. Ii. Jones, In the Post ONCE, on Nassau street,
engaged in attempting to come to some arrange
ment with these and other steamship lines by means
OF which tie carrying OF the mails might be dis
turbed "a little as possible.
Among others the National Steamship Company
tlimtedD proposed TO carry the British and Cont
mental mail to Liverpool for the stipulated rate Of
two cents per ounce, counting three letters TO the
ounce. But the proposition was not entertained,
the vessels OF this company making generally very
slow trips. The agent Of the company then pro-
posed carry IN their steamers, at the stipulated
rate the mail for Ireland only, claiming that the
bulk OF the mail for England goes to Ireland, by way
or Southampton or Liverpool, and that his company
could deliver this portion OF 1t at Queenstown about
the same time that 1t would reach ireland by way of
ENGLAND. Nonec,sive reply was given to this offer
and it Is held In allegiance.
An ARRANGEMENT was however, entered into, Yeb
for the day named only, that the mail to be de.
spatched hence to Europe on Wednesday next, Janu-
airy 8, will be forwarded in the Nebraska, OF VIII
liams h Guion's line to Queenstown and Liverpool.
Il la claimed that 10 swiftness ana safety these ves
sells are but little behind the foreign steamers and
hence the proposition Of Messrs. Williams & Gulon
to take the mails on that day ct two cents per ounce
was accepted.
The Cunard line, the Iuman line and the Ham,
barg-New York Company, 80 far, remain drm In
vessels ut anything like the compensation offered
They have made some propositions, either all or
or two of the companies named, for compromise,
but all such were 1atlY rejected, Postmaster General
Ureswe insisting that under no circumstances
would he pay an tnfInitesimal Iarthing more than
two cents per ounce. this being the sum fixed by
law, and he would not disregard the law.
Inc only other European steamship line-the
North GermaIf Lloyd, OF Bremen--did show some
signs OF wayertng. 1t appears that New York is
much more interested IN commerce with Bremen
than with Hamburg, and our German banking and
mercantile community. becoming aroused to the SIT
uatioD exerted strong pressure upon the agents OF
the North German Lloyd IN shis city to induce the
Inc argument was urgently pressed that ny the IRE
guarIty OF the mails which must certainly follow.
great inconvenience would be experienced by Ger.
man bankers and importers: that the per2istency OF
the German steamship companies not to aid In tne
popular movement, Tor cheap ocean postage would
ultimately react uDon the entire German business
community. Hence tue company was urged As
matter OF policy for Itself and 81 protection TO the
German business interests IN this CITY and country,
to accept the situation. Whether In Consequence 81
member q Tie lrm OF 0efichs & Co., the agents
OF the North German Lloyd, called upon
ie Postmaster General yesterday AFTERNOON stating
that he is sent csviv uvry- ,cn 70 the Bremen
directors , asking their pegnissiop TO detain the
steamer a h mem booked ID sa to-day until ss'q ar
Sss anu my. u1ails OF that day for"ss.ra0 W
at two cents an ounce. lie expected an answer
this forenoon, but stated at the same time that he
proposed tnis merely as q matter or accommodation
TO the American public for one mall day, and
q basis Tor permanent arrangement. Yet he was
the directors az Bremen consent to take the two
Genus per ounce, tho sailing days OF the Bremen
ness community, would probably be permanently
changea from Thursday !? saturday, This progosi.
bremen dTcctors Would this morning Telegraph pep
css iaS assent to IL. This IS all that was accoY4
n.sued yesterday, but more developments are 10y ed
N tn.f0v.