New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-12-28
AIMING TO INCREASE FRENCH TRADE
ALARM IN ENGLAND OVER A SCHEME FOR LIBERAL
BOUNTIFs TO FRENCH VESSELS.

ALARM IN ENGLAND OVER SCHEME FOR LIBERAL
BoUNTIFs TO FRENCH VESSELS.
The plan for new line of steamships be-
tween this city and BordeauZ, announced IN THE TRIBUNE
recently which is to be assisted with subsidies from the
Bordeaux Chamber Of Commerce, the Orleans ana
Southern Railroads OF France and by aid from the
French Government, providing the bill passes the Sen
ate which thought very favorable, has caused much
comment among those interested in BrlIsh shipping III
tefests Mention Is made of memorial presented re-
Gently 10 Lag Granville by the sh-Owning interests OF
Great Britain, which shows the apprchonsons felt as
TO the result bill, which known under the title
OF the French Merchant Marine bill This is to remain
in force for years after its passage and proposes 10
grant bounty payable to the constructors OF the hus
and engines OF steel ships built in France OF
sixty francs per gross register ton OF hut and twelve
francs per 100 kos (sDOut 900 pOundsl OF engines )
second bounty payable to the owners OF foregn-song
French vessels Of and Onehalf francs per register
ten and per 900 miles run any direct maritime line
The memorialists fear that unless arrested the law
will 20 into operation III short time, and that the
object IS TO create and develop great mercantile ma
rne by Of which the carrying trade OF the world
NAV to greater extent than heretofore, be done by
French ships and powerful Navy may DE provided for
France that could be employed with effect In time Of
war The that the bounty is not TO be confined TO
vessels engaged in the trade with France, but may be
claimed by all French vessels running between any for
eign ports the belief that lines be run be-
tween England and other ports. Six large new com
panic, have been formed in France recently to run
regular lines OF steamers to NcwYork Canada, Mexico
South America AID Australia and existing companies
are Increasing their fleets French steamship plying
valued ~ 100000, would receive bounty of $40 900
$i5 600 on eight voyages or from IL TO 10 per
cent on her value This would enable the French
steamers carry rates which would simply pay the
direct outlay on rhe voyages, ana the company would
san have q good return the capital IN TIE bounty
provided. The memorial then calls attention 10 the
diculty that this country has had IA recOnstructlng
the merchant navy lost 10 II during The cY war a3
lesson not 70 be overlooked by Great Britain adding:
" IL mas rot be ignored, besides that 80 tar as
the CONNER lHl question Il concerned, the
British shipOWuer Is presented with a remedy.
IL Is freely represented to him from French
sources that traE5eIcncB Of ms vessels 90
the French flag is easy, and VIII secure o him the
bounty HIS would be ccered aud partly manned
by French crews and would be liable 10 be requslOned
for WAT purposes o. France. No loyal subjects VIII
readily resort 10 such remedy bit that BRUSH slup
owners VIII be proof against such inducements cannot
be assumed for we have an example OF "A British Hect
being transferred 70 Belgium % obtain the postal sub
sldy OF Thai country. We venture 10 submit 40
your LUrdsl that the question involved IN the French
bounty tU-sippIng 10 not merely commercial question
an citing Industry but Is national question Affect
Jug the wclbeing OF the Sate ana of the utmost gravity
the Nation TO which VIII DC well that the Legsla
ture give consideration 10 be 100 late. We do not
offer any suggestions to your LOrdshD TO meet tie
merely local remedy seems 10 Us suited 70 doa
with IL. II Is matter for instant diplomatic action and
for consideration in our commercial trcaues.'