The times., 1898-04-12
THEY STAY AT HOME.
Great Falling on in Transatlantic
Traffic.


Traffic.
New York, April 11-TaIk of war has
cost the great transatlantic steamship
companies hundreds of thousands of
dollars within the last few weeks.
Agents of all the lines agree that there
has been a big falling off in traffic ever
since the first intimation that hostili-
ties might develop between this coun-
try and Spain. The falling off averages
nearly 80 per cent
Business men are not inclined to go
to Europe and leave their affairs in
such an unsettled condition as a war
might entail. and their families. in
many instances, are not inclined TO go
abrout without them. Besides, many
persons labor underthe false impression
that. in the event of hOstilities. Span
ish warships and privateerS would prey
upon the vessels of all transatlantic
lines, regardless of the flag under which
they sail.
1t is generally understood. and. in
fact frankly admitted by the officials
OF the American and Red Star lines
that they have suffered the greatest
loss in consequence of the pending
crisis. The American line is .he only
transatlantic line which sails under the
American flag. Clement a. Griscom.
the manager of the company, said to-
day that there had been a falling of
of more than so per cent in the traffic,
on account of the war talk.
Whenever there is any excitement
at home" said Mr. Griscom. "Amerl-
cans do not go to Europe. Besides a
decrease in the number of first cabin
passengers, there has also been a fall
H. e-s1
sengers. Bookings are very light COM
pared with the same time last year,
Yes, there is no doubt that just al
present people are afraid. The Paris.
which sails on Wednesday, VIII carry
less than fifty first cabin passengers.
If there was no war scare it is proDa-
BILE that there would be 200 in the first
cabin when she sails.
"At this time every year the rush to
Europe begins. AS soon as the trouble
is over business will undoubtedly
pick up.
The Champagne. of the French line.
which sails for Havre Tuesday, viii
carry no passengers.
This is not on account of the war
scare" General aPssenger Agent Trey
voux said. but because OF the Cham
pagne's recent accident. Many persons
are afraid to sail on ship which has
just met with an accident" explained
Mr TreYyoux. "Of course. the Cham
pagne has been repaired and is in first
class condition, but we decided 10 send
her across with nothing but freight
to prove it to the satisfaction OF the
more timid. Owing to the present state
of affairs. we received orders to cancel
bookings" continued Mr.. Treyyoux
The Gascogne. which sailed Saturday.
carried only $50 passengers in the first
cabin instead of $50, which would nave
been the case but for this war talk
In the steerage there were 200 passep-
gers. This was also falling Off No
there are no persons coming from the
other side. The war talk doesn't affect
the freight business"
Yes indeed. there mas been an ap-
preciable falling off in the number or
passengers going over by this line"
said an official of the North German
LLOYD Company You would be sur
prised at the number of persons wno
misunderstood the situation. Every
day men and women come in here TO
inquire if our vessels would be fired
on by Spanish warships III case war