New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-04-25
SHARP FIGHT FOR CUNARD.
STEAMSHIP SHAREHOLDERS EXPECT
CONTEST FOR CONTROL.
ENGLISH RIVAL FOR BIG COMBINATION
NOT IMPROBABLE-CLASH OVER
SOUTH AFRICA.

NOT IMPRoBABLE-CLAsH OVER
SOUTH AFRICA.
Copyright; 1902: BY The Tribune Association
Especial TO The Tribune by French Caoie.l
London. April 25. a. m.-Cunard shares TOOK
an upward leap of another pound yesterday ou'
few were offered for sale on the Liverpool 10
change Whether Mr.. Morgans agents ma
been buying them or whether, as is more proo-
able English capitalists are seeking 10 oo'aiA
control of the stock and form a rival snipPiiis
combination il Is evident that the shareholuers
e,nect sharp conflict of some kind ana are
holding back their stock for higher prices Inc
excitement caused by Mr.. Morgan S aleseu 60
upon British commerce is steadily rlsihe ~
stimulated by sensational and alarnls' ai'
I'm the halfpenny press. Among the most ABUSIVE
descriptions of him is the Pirate kldd scot'ii'is
the British Fleet" and among the most CIV
tesque vagaries is the theory that wheh ne So
ceeds In obtaining the complete mastery Vi
transatlantic shipping he will work up a coine'
in food supplies of ali kinds and starVe out Ellis
land More reasonable views were expresseu
in Parliament where several incisive ques'oh'
were asked respecting the shipping co'iioii'' N-
and its bearing on subVentions lo'
eight Cunarders and as many White Star yes
sells The replies indicated that the Aoiiira'S
was IN communication with the steamship lines
of registry or transfer of flag in an emergency
that was not contemplated when the suo'eh-
lions were made. Shipping men consider that
undue excitement has been caused by the news
papers and that the British flag Will remain
over all British ships now In the transatlai''o
trade They also contend that one comoihatioii
will he met by another. for British capitalists
with the Admiralty behind them, Will not aiio"
control of the merchant marine to pass into for
20
patriotic feeling in favor of a vigorous defence
of British maritime interests against the grip Oh
the money power. The discussion. however can
not be intelligently conducted while there re-
main so many uncertainties and contradictions
respecting Mr.. Morgans policy.
THE Daily MALI publishes statement this
morning to the effect that the promoters of the
new shipping combination viii announce In a
few days that the arrangement is one for mu-
t,lal commercial convenience. and has no spe-
cial national significance. At the same time
The Mail" processes to know that the. vessels
of British lines which have been taken over will
pass under the American flag after three or
four years. 1t talks of new shipping Dill
which Will be promoted In Congress with the
object Of permitting vessels built abroad but
owned in America to be brought under the
American flag and quotes one of the promoters
as saying that. apart from sailing vessels pri-
vate yachts and the navy. the British flag Will
at the end of a few years have disappeared from
the North Atlantic.
Colonel Denson fears that the trust will buy
I'D the Canadian Pacific Railway and thereby
control all the lines that could possibly feed
shipping He says Englands> policy should be
to run a competing line. tax everything the
combination vessels bring into this country and
let things that the other line brings come in
free.
There is little comment in the press on the new
Panama Canal treaty. The whole question has
been regarded. since the adoption Of the Hay
Pauncefote treaty as exclusively American. and
the only legitimate English interest is the speedy
construction Of the interoceanic waterway.
The effect OF the final action OF the Danish
Landsthlng In postponng ratification OF the
treaty of sale OF the Danish West Indies by the
narrow majority OF four votes is not understood
here. 1t is compared with the action of the
United States Senate in hanging up treaties on
several occasions. There is an important diff
ference however since q vote in the islands. by
property suffrage, cannot be ordered without
the concurrent action OF the lower house There
is a possibility of the ultimate settlement OF the
question by n compromise. with the ratification
of the treaty to be followed by a popular vote
OF the people OF the Islands.
There WAS an acrid discussion IN the Commons
last night by Mr. Morley and Sir William Har-
court over the arrest and Imprisonment OF the
editor Cartwright in South Africa. with the only
possible retort by Mr. Brodrick that they were
challenging the administration OF martial law.
The affair was not well managed In South AZ
RIGA, and the ministers were embarrassed in
defending the unpleasant episode The govern
ment easily defeated Mr.. Moriey's motion to ad-
journ the House in order to call attention to
the matter but It is significant that the Liberals
were supported by such Unonists as Mr..
Bowles, Mr. Churchill and Mr.. Russell while
many others declined 10 vote. If an alternative
government possible the days OF the pres
ent ministry would soon be numbered.
l. y. F.