New-York tribune., 1902-06-10
THE SHIPPING SCHEMES.
SIR ALFRED JONES AND THE PROPOSED
BRITISH COMBINATION.
epEcTAI, AMBASSADOR REID TO BE HON
oRED BY Observation-Disclosures FOR
COLONEL LYNCH.
COLONEL LYNCH.
Copyright: 1902: By The Tribune Association,


shipping combination. and it is difficult to diff
ferentiate between them. 1 am convinced, after
careful inquiries that Sir Alfred Jones is still
on the fence. and may join either Morgan's
forces or the British combination. Denials Of his
meetings and negotiations with Herr Ballin and
Mr. Wilding must be taken in Pickwick1an
sense He has received offers from the Morgan
combination, and has neither accepted nor de-
-,,ned them. He is waiting TO ascertain whether
the British Government Will take up the defence
of British shipping interests and join Canada
,n making 2 strenuous fight Sir Alfred Jones
is cannv welshman, Of exceptional energy and
-ractical ability He is one of the shrewdest
business men in the shipping trade, and knows
how 10 keep his own counsel and drive good
bargain. He has been drawn in recent years
into Mr. Channberlain's circle of friends, and
has taken strong imperiaistic line on shipping,
colonial and other questions He is committed
by public utterances TO the defence of British
shipping interests on imperial grounds. but is too
rracticai q man TO decline advantageous offers
from Morgan and Ballin unless he has assur-
snces that q new combination would be ade-
rT1ateTy supported by the home well the
Canadian Government. II he accepts Mr.. Nor
gan's offer rates between Canada and Ger
rnsrv will be advanced if shipping men can be
believed, from 100 TO 200 marks; but his friends
assert that he will remain true to British and
colonial interests, and organize the new COM
b,nation. They admit that the issue is not de-
cided and that everything depends upon the
readiness and thoroughness with which the Brit
ish Government adopts the subsidy system on a
large scale; otherwise, neither the Cunard nor
the Elder-Demp5ter Line is safe from what Brit
ish shippers describe as the clutches Of Morgan
and the American money power.
Canadian officials go even further. They say
that the Canadian Pacific Railway is not out Of
reach OF Mr.. Morgan, and that the Dominion
Government will be compelled in self-defence to
90 into the shipping business on its own account
and organize with large subsidies steamship
lines which cannct be brought under foreign
control.
The defence Of the shipping interests Of the
erepire was one OF the undertones of conversa-
tion at the Royal Exchange Colonial Exhibition
dinner in the Hotel Cecil last night Lord Strath-
coma being in the chair to welcome the Lord
Havor sferiffs and the Gresham committee, and
prominent representatives Of Canada, Western
Australia Rhodesia, British North Borneo and
the West Indies being present 1t was a dull
evening for, although there were many speeches.
those who had something to say were silent
Among these reticent men were Sir Alfred Jones
himself looking denure and innocent, and Com
missioner Preston with full faith in the mari
time resources Of Canada
The American Special Ambassador will go to
Cambridge to-day TO receive the degree Of Doctor
Of Laws from the university. His sailing ar
rangements from America were changed in
order that he might be present at this academic
function. He will attend, with Mrs. Reid, the din
ner at the American Ambassadors on Wednes-
dav at which the King and Queen will be the
chief guests. Mr.. Choate will entertain MI.
and Mrs. Reid Thursday, and on Friday they
will be present at the court in buckingham
Palace.
Nine Bernhardt had hearty welcome from
an enthusiastic audience ar the Garrick Theatre
last night when she appeared in Marion Craw-
ford's play Francesca da Rinini" under the
direction OF Maurice Grau and Charles From
man. The play was essentially different IN form
from Stephen PhIlTps's version Of Dante's
story being less Greek and more Italian In
spirit less poetic and more frankly meloorafna
L was enacted with intense dramatic earnest
ness by & strong French company. Bernhardt
herself seemed more youthful than ever, ana
her mastery OF the art Of expression by voice.
gesture and feature was complete
England has been amply revenged for her de-
feat in the first international polo match OF
week ago On that occasion America won
rather lucky victory by goals to l. but the
reorganized English team turned the tables COM
q
the margin at the finish in the favor of the
home quartet being 6 goals TO L. Honors are
now easy. and there is sure to be grand strug-
gle for the odd trick: but on yesterdays play
the c11p which has been in England's possession
since 1886 is likely to remain here some time
longer.
Two important ministerial statements we're
made in Parliament yesterday. Mr.. Wyndaam
said that unless the Irish Land Purchase Dill
could be treated as "non-contentius' it would
not be worth while bringing it forward for
second reading. This remark is regarded as
indicating the intention Of the government TO
abandon the measure, at all events for the pres
ent session Sir Michael Hicks-Beach stated
that the corn duty was imposed for revenue pur-
poses only, but without prejudice to any discus
sion which might take place at the forthcom-
ing Colonial Office conference which, he hoped.
would have good results in promoting freer trade
between England and the colonies.
Very great interest has been aroused by Sir
Michael Hicks -Beach's reference to a possible
zolIverein Of Great Britain and the colonies
The Chancellor Of the Exchequer's statement OF
HIS own views in the matter was intehuonaHS
guarded but members of the House Of Com
ynons have read into his speech modified ac-
oeptanee of preferential trade. The language
used by the Chancellor has excited special at
tention on the opposition side of the house, as
many Liberals had brought themselves TO De-
lieve that Sir Michael Hicks-Beach and MI
Chamberlain were widely opposed in their opin-
ions on this matter
The plans Of the Australian cricketers, after
their present tour in England is completed are
indefinite at present. Major Mardill' manager