New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-03-09
among Democrats that he should go some
TRANSATLANTIC SERVICE.

JH2NSAILdNIlO rEA'AS
Tho arrival of the New-York at Southampton
nnder the American Has has been accompanied
by many evidences OF international comfy.
As the change OF flag was colncldent Win the
transfer OF a great commercial business from
thc NJersey to the Channel, local feeling was
readily reconciled to any loss OF National pres
tge from the disappearance OF the Engl'sh
coois over this fine steamship. The American
Line has acted wisely in changing its base OF
operations from Liverpool, where It would have
met with resistance from mercantile and ship
ping interests and from natural preferences for
the English flag At Southampton LEGAL preju-
dice has been disarmcd by transfer OF bust
ness interests which will promote the prosperity
of the port. 1t is. moreover more convenient
centre for the lines passenger traffic with the
Continent and for its freight business with
French and Belgian ports rs we'll as England.
Southampton will greet the Paris, the M'test
ship aaoat, with the same heartiness with which
the New-YOrk has been welcomed.
The great event OF this seasons transatlantic
trade is the appearance of the two new Cunard-
ers. which will soon be in commission. These
will be the largest ships in the merchant ser
vice, and will have the highest Development OF
engine power. Like the Paris and the Teutonic
and other recent additions to the merchant
marine they will be experimental ships, and
their performance in speed, in consumption OF
coal and in freight and passenger carriage will
be watched with keen interest on both sides
Of the Atlantic. While the last decade has
been one of surprises and marvels in the de-
velOpment OF the transatlantic steam service
practical shipbuilders and line managers recog-
MIC the fact that there must be limits within
which expenditures and receipts will cease to
meet economically. The success or failure OF
these new floating towns will indicate whether
these limits have been merely approached more
closely or whether they have been exceeded.
If they are successful not only in speed and IN
accommodations as passenger ships. but also az
commercial investments, there will be de-
mand created for greatly increased tonnage.
and competing lines will build ships as large, II
not larger. If the shipbuildcrs are shown to
have supplied the shpowners with vessels too
costly in maintenance to yield adequate re-
turns commercially, the judgment OF the Amcrl-
can Line in adhcring in their ships to be built
by the Cramps to the general tonnage condi-
tons Of the Paris and New-YoH will be vim
dicatcd
What must be regarded as perhaps the most
uncertain factor of the problem is the remark
able growth OF the Atlantic passenger traffic.
IL has surpassed the most elastic expectations
Of steamship managers during the last twenty
years and it is hardly practicable for any ono
10 forecast the future expansion of the bust
moss The Atlantic steamers were originally
designed mainly for freight, and were grad
ually enlarged and improved with reference t.
the summer passenger trade. Now they have
as many passengers during the duilcst winter
months as they carried ten years ago during
the busiest summer months. The big. fast and
luxurious ships have to a large extent created
this increase of passenger traffic by reducing
the time and discomfort OF the voyage. Tho
new Cunarders arc undoubtedly the logical
consequences of the enormous trade developed
and fostered by the construction CT such ships
as the Paris the Ncw-iOrk the Teutonic. the
Majestic and tho Bismarck. Whether the end
has Yet been reached, or has been prcmatureiy |
anticipated, is one Of the Atlantic mysteries to |
be solved this season.