New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-05-02
APPEAL TO GOVERNMENT.
ASKED TO PREVENT THE SHIPPING
DEAIc-NO INTERFERENCE PROBABLE.

| London. May Am attempt was made in the
House Of Commons to-day 10 get the government to
! pledge itself to prevent the transfer Of British
steamships TO foreign flag pending the report Of
! the committee (under the Craftsmanship Of the Earl
| OF Camperdowm recently appointed by the Ad-
miralty to inquire into the subj Ct The government
leader A. J. Balfour. pointed out that suggestion
| OF such startling character could not be carried
! out without the Eravest consideration. II simply
amounted TO a proposal that the government should
prevent British subject from selling his property
| 10 foreigner No doubt the matter referred TO
very serious. but such drastic change In estab-
| hshed practice could not be undertaken lightly.
After the president OF the Board OF Trade. Gerald
| Bafour had Informed the House OF Commons this
afternoon that ne had been conHdentially informed
or the terms OF tn" proposed transatlantic combine,
which did not necessarily involve "A change IN the
nationality Of the ships and the government leader.
A J. Balfour. had announced tina tho officials
! White Star Line did not appear 10 have violated
their contract with the British Admiralty. Russell
Rea Radical "A shipowncr and merchant moved
! the adjournment Of the House In order TO discuss
the matter. which OF urgent public Importance.
A few members having spoken Of the very great
anxiety experienced throughout the country
result OF the formation OF a combination OF such
strength and character tho American shipping
! syndicate. A J. Balfour expressed the hope that
the debate would be closed. He quite appreciated
the Importance OF the subject and the desire OF the
members to discuss II. But useful purpose could
be served by debate now. government had
been privately informed regarding the actions Of
!
anxious consideration. but II II disclosed this in
formation II would shu. the door to further conf
dences. The government would be bound to make
such arrangements with regard To the navy as the
/ proposed changes might make necessary; but re-
garding the effect of the combination on British
maritime interests, and what should be done TO
meet it, no announcement ~ its policy could be
maze except after prolonged and anxious Consid-
Grafton of tho complicated problem Under
present anEements the subsidized ships remain
in the service OF the Admiralty for another
years. and the government would he much blam-
able II in the interim II could not either negotiate
! q continuance arrangements o kc
others equally serviCeabie 10 the Admiralty and
country. In the mean while the government did
propose, the spur OF the moment. to announce
any departure from the traditional policy not in
terferng with the freedom Of commerce. The min
listers would be charlatans II they anything OF
the kind. necessary most carefully and thor
( ouRhly TO sift the whole matter from commercial
point OF view. 1t must be remembered that this was
commercial enterprise engineered by a foreign
and hostile government, but trade combination.
Those who thought this combination so menaced
should interfere admitting. whether they liked
II not that the doctrine of individual enterprise
James Bryce liberal. former president Of the
Board OF Trade advocated the withdrawal of the
prompt inquiry into the subject
Other speakers held that the arrangement in
way unpatriotlc. II was an alliance. not anneXa-
ton by Americans The companies had simply made
a reasonable and busnesslike combina ton.
antipathy to or i'll feeling Americans. but he
asserted British maritime and mercantile interests
captured British shoe and steel industries, and
he wanted the government to take action In order
to stem the tide
The remarks Of Rear Admiral Lord Charles
Beresford Conservative rather sided with those
British. He said he feared ;he American trust
would this combnatioI TO pour American
the producers here and that there would be a gen
era disruption Of the whole trade and commerce Of
ing steamers on the Canadian route.
Mr. Rea's motion was ultimately withdrawn.