New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-07-30
MEXICAN STEAMSHIP LINES.

TAILS OF THE PLAN
fFRoN AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT THE TRIBUNE
ZACATECAs, June 29.-As the bulk Of the COM
merce between the United States and Mexico is
transacted through NewYork, that city is closely
interested in the steps that are being taken to
establish Mexican steamship lines. 1t has lust
been announced that two companies have been
formed to carry out the contracts which Anger
Ortiz Monasterio and his brother entered into with
the Government in March and April last 1t APP
pears that Senior Monasterio transferred his con-
tracts to twelve persons and firms, but as they were
unable to agree among themselves he made over the
contracts anew to two companies. who nave re-
ceived from the Government an acknowledgment
that they have so far comp lied with the terms OF
the contracts. which include deposit OF $l0,oOo
as a guarantee for their fulflment.
Both companies are composed of the same people,
In the Transatlantic Company the subscribed
capital of S3,000,000 is taken as follows In
shares of $500 each: Bermejilo Brothers. 4,'oo
shares; Benito Arena and Brother ooo; r.
p. Portillos Sons 800 and gnacio Pomba 800. In
the Continental Company the subscribed capital oil
81, 900, 900 is taken by Bermeiillo Brothers. who
hold ,0O1 shares. and the others above named,
who hold 1913 shares EACH making 1000 shares
in all
The Bormeiillos are Spanish merchants and are
reputcd to have command of over - 100000. The
family has been over thirty years in this country,
having settled first in MOrcla. Pho, the elder
brother. who is a Deputy in the Spanish COrtes,
founded the firm before leaving for his native
country The Bermelos derived their wealth
chiefly from sugar plantations. of which they Tor
merly owned four. three of which were among the
largest in the valley OF Mexico The firm owns the
cotton factory called "La Magdalena" near St.
Angel. which is one OF the best known in the coun-
try The Arenas are ncphcws OF the Berme!os
and are also Spanish. They have established two
cotton factories with large capital in the City of
Mexico, and are preparing 10 establish another Tor
the manufacture of Mexican cotton prints. Senior
Echaza1rcta Spanlard. is associated with the firm
il business and is deemed progressive and enter
prising. Portlcs Sons own two woolen fac
tories, one of which, San lldefcnso, is tie most
noted IN the country. They are wealthy. DR.
Ignacio Pomba the other member OF the company,
Is Senator from the STATE of OaAaca, which he has
represented tor several terms. lie is considered
able and energetic.
There has since appeared a protest from four OF
the twelve persons and firms to whom the first
transfer vas made. in which they declare that the
second transfer under which these companies have
been formed, is null and void. Among the signers
is Antonio Escandon Estrada who is largely inter
ested in the Mexican Railway-that is, the line
from Vera Cruz to the capital. The official state
ment, referred to already, probably outweghs this
protest.
The Monasterios, who made the contracts at the
outset, are Mexcans who served in the Spanish
Navy, and still retain their rank therein. One OF
them is in the War Department at the National
capital; the other holds a Government office con
nected with the Port of Vera Cruz.
Tue three contracts stated by the official
il 30. La
between the Mexican Gulf ports and several ports
in the United States and Europe. They made
to take the place Of the contract with Alexandra IL
Sons. of New-Yurk, which expires September,
1881. In accordance with the first contract the
Mexican continental Navigation Company, rs the
new corporation may be called. is TO establish two
services, with steamers OF 1000 tons burden
from Vera Cruz to PrOgTessO Havana and New
YORK. and the other. with steamboats, of at least
800 tons burden, from Vera Cruz and Minltlllan,
Frontera de TabaScO, Laguna dc Terminus, Cam
peachy and Pro2ressO. The trips of the New-lork
line are to be weekly. and the coastwlse steamers
are to be run in connection with them. he com
pany engages to charge 10 per cent less than the
AeXandIe Line OH goods from the United states,
and to make a reduction of 10 per cent on the
freight OF such goods as are now exported from
Mexico at low rates, on all other outward bound
freight the reduction is 10 he II per cent on the
rates now charged by the Alexandra and BulneS
lines. The rates for passengers are also To he 10
per cent less than those now charged. The COM
pany IL to receive subsidy OF $1,000 Tor each
round trip.
The second contract is for the establishment of
two other steamship limestone from era Cruz to
New Orleans, and the other 10 TIE Gulf ports OF
IuXpam TampIcO, Bagdad and Galveston. These
Continental lines are To be IN operation before
November l, 1858. new steamer OF 900 tons
burden is to be placed the New-Orlcans line
and one of 800 on the Galveston line. Reductions
similar to those on the New-IOrk line are 10 be
made. The Government is to pay the company
1.-Two = al far. a.l min
The third contract coDtemp laes the establishment
of more steamship lines to ply between
Mexican Gulf ports and European ports. The ser
vice must begin on or before November !, 1885
The steamers are to make monthly trips on the Liv
erpoUl line. touching on the honeM ard voyage az
French and Spanish port well at Havana,
prorresso and Vera Cruz. The steamers are
also to call at the Canary Islands If the Govern
ment so requires. On the outward voyage tie
steamers are to touch al such ports as he company
may determine, including one or more III the
United states.
Within two years from the establishment of this
line, the company is to establish a monthly service
with Italy. The steamers coming from an Italian
port are to call at French, Spanish and Portuguese
ports as well at Havana and Progrcsso. On the
outward voyage the steamers may call at such
ports as the company selects. The Government is
to pay subsidy of 10000 for each round trip on
vide new dock if such sl0uld be found necessary
The steamers for the transatlantic lines are to be
new and to have accom- mediation for 200 FIRST and
second class pas engers. as well as for 900 colo
nists The steamers are also TO be Of 1 900 tons
burden. and their speed ut least fifteen miles an
hour. COlOnists are to be brought over on Govern
ment account at go each. The company engages
to make reduction of o per cent on the freight
charged imports by the French Transatlantic
Company while the export freight it Is to charge
20 per cent less than tbs rates OF the same line.
The company also binds itself to support at ITS own
expense q nautical school on the same basis as the
one recently founded by the Government at Cam
peachv. A. the steamers will carry the National
flag they authorized To engage IN the cOastwlse
trade. The steamers will all be procured abroad.
for Mexico builds no iron ships steamers herself
II she did they would no doubt be constructed here
az the sentiment in favor of encouraging home in
dusry is very strong The subsidies all payable
in Mexican silver.
Such is the elaborate plan which has been
tured for the establishment of n mercantile marine