New-York tribune., 1902-04-29
FEARS FOR BRITISH TRADE.
SHIPPING DEAL STILL A SUBJECT OF
ADVERSE COMMENT.
COLONIAL PREMIERs TO DISCUSS QUESTION
WITH MR. CHAMBERLAIN-A FASH
1ONABLE WEDDING.
Copyright: 1902: BY The Tribune Association)
ESpecial 70 The Trihr.ne by French Cable

LONDON April -. i a. m.-The excitement
caused by the shipping deal is subsiding. owing
TO the maze of contradictions and the lack of
authentic informal tion but the sense of irritated
uneasiness remains Enthusiastically for indepen-
dence. The British commercial marine a
uonal tradition we'll nigh acrosanct and even
if the Cunard and White Star lines. in joining
the American. Canadian and German coalition.
keep the same flag afioat the grip of the foreign
rnoney power is dreaded of danger
In time of war
fresh series Of questions asked in Parlia-
ment threw little light upon the subject, but
disclosed the fact that the government was fully
alive the Importance of establishing safe
guards against the transfer of subsidized Brit
ish ships a foreign fag. The heads of the
Admiralty and the Board of Trade have been
consulting. and there is likely to he something
than a reappointment Of the committee
on steamship subsidies Arnold Forster is both
& naval expert and of energy. and i'm
portant action is foreshadowed.
Whatever may he the real force of the equivo-
cal denials of the steamship owners at Liver
pool it is clear that Germany has direct
control over the merchalt It marine than the
British Government exercises. 1t is also plain
that the German lines, while not changing own
ership. have made a definite agreement with
the Anglo-American coalition respecting future
operations 1t is a natural inference that the
lation and direction are likely to do so.
Dominion officials here are highly excited over
proofs received at the Emigration Office that the
shipping combination. with two Canadian lines
in it. is already interfering with systematized
operations at present highly successful. The
Bureau Commissioner Mr.. Preston, confirmed
yesterday the report that two representatives of
the shipping ring had threatened to divert emi-
grafton from Canada unless the work of the
ted throughout United
Kingdom for promoting il without prejudice to
anv line were restricted Mr.. Preston told me
that important correspondence on the subject
would arrive from ottawa Thursday. show
ing that the ring is seeking 10 control the rates
of pa ssage to Canada, and to interfere with the
wise policy which has led to an enormous In
crease in Inquiries and departures of British
settlers. He predicted that the interference OF
the shipping ring with the immigration business
would be followed inevitably by the creation OF
g Canadian subsidized line for carrying emil
grants and that the British Government would
assist In the defence of imperial commerce.
The subject will pe brought up before Mr.
Chamberlain at the conference of the colonial
Preniers after the coronation
The most significant feature Of the shipping
excitement is the silence prevailing at the ship
wards at Belfast and on the Clyde and the Tyne
Tkere are no outcries from British shpbuilders
when it is suggested that the United States may
ndopt free ship bill and take over the Euro
mean merchant fleets. The truth is discerned |
that the Morgan combination is not helpful to
the shipbuiiding interests at Philadelphia ana at
other American ports. and that the adoption OF
q free ship policy would be tremendous gam
for the British yards.
There sharp relapse In the price ol
Cuuard shares yesterday
Ahou, q wear ago when Lord Charles Beres-
ford was second in command OF the Meo1ter-
,aneau feet a letter was published from him
disclosing the weakness of the British Navy In
an emergency The Admiralty officials, when
questioned asserted stoutly that an obvious |
breach of the rules of service must have been
committed without the knowledge OF Lord |
Charles and that private letter had been pup |
lished improperly, especially as II contained
evidence of confidential communications with |
the authorities. Lord Charles in the mean
while has been returned to Parliament as a re-
suit of the movement for strengthening 'he
navy started by this letter
Lord Charles admits in to-day's Times that
the publication of the letters was grave mis-
take, for which he alone was responsibl"
The derisive laughter with which the House |
of Commons greeted Sir Michael Hicks-Beachs |
attempt 20 dodge the unpopularlty OF the pro- |
posed extra penny duty on checks Is echoeo
f,v this mornings newspapers 1t is anticl-
rated that the tax Will be abandoned alto
gether.
4 remarkable article on motives to imperial
federation is contributed by Captain Mahan TO
the forthcoming number of The National Re
view The writer compares the movement In |
England and America, and argues that 1t was
2 sudden realization Of the pressing peril to
national unity that aroused both peoples
The marriage of Lady Sibyl Beresford and
Captain Dawnay, Earl Roberts's aid at 81
Marks Church was attended by half dozen
du ,fesses AID swarm of titled people 1hfee
children in simple muslin frocks followed the
bride with her long court train of Brussels
lace.
The American Ambassadors house, in the
evening was the scene of a large and brllnaht
reception, ATTENDED by the diplomatic corps.
members Of the Cabinet political leaders, titled
people artists and men of letters The fui1
embassy staff was plesent and all the arrange
rnents were well ordered. the flowers being ar
ranged with charming taste.
The fifth anniversary of the opening OF her
Majests's Theatre celebrated by the usual
performance of Ulysses followed by a stage
supper with a large company of guests hiahs
of whom had gone on from the crush at Mrs
Choate's party. 1t brilliant affalr' nlafheu
by good feeling and hearty congratulations
About one hundred and twenty-five guests
accepted Beebohm Trees hospitality. the Lord
Chief Justice md Sir Henry Irving being among
them. Mr. Tree responded to a toast TO his
health SO artistcally that IL suspected that
the witty Max 5eerbohm must have given him
cue.
Colonel Borun n aid General Wilson, has