Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury [Connecticut]) 1900-1903, 1902-08-30
BRITISH PRESS AROUSED
Speculation Over j. Pierpont
Morgan's Plans.

ed With Interest-His Scheme VIII
Probably Be a Recommendation for
a Fast Canadian Service
London, Aug 30.-The approaching
expiration of the time limit for the
completion of the Atlantic shipping
combine is arouSing the British press
to all sorts of speculation regarding j.
Pierpont Morgan's ultimate plans as
well as the governments scheme for
dealing with the combination. The
promised statement of the premier,
A. J. Balfour, on the re-assembling Of
parliament is awaited with intense in
terest The statement has already
been printed that the government
plans are complete and that the author
tiles are all ready to make an effective
counter-move against the American
syndicate. Inquiries made by the AS
sociated Press in the best Informed
quarters indicate that this announce
ment is not true. The government
has had to deal with so many power
full and conflicting interests that it has
not yet been able to definitely decide
on plan of action. In spite of the
opposition to a general subsidy scheme,
well Informed persons consider this
to be the most likely solution, on the
lines OF generous distribution of gov
ernment support, not In behalf Of one
but of several companies. The form
which such assistance will take is still
under discussion, there being consid-
erable opposition to straight subsidies.
There is no doubt that Mr. Balfours
announcement win include a scheme
% CO.. no.,
which the Canadian Pacific railroad
win probably participate, but not, as
originally planned, as sole promoter
and beneficiary. The indications point
more and more to the drawing togeth-
er Of the Atlantic lines outside of the
Morgan combine. One OF the alliances
which may be earliest expected is a
combination of the Allan line and FL
der-Dempster Il Co. The heads Of
the English lines are chary In express
sing themselves on the Atlantic out
look. Time is rather intensifying
than allaying their jealousy of the
Americans bid for the Atlantic trade,
and the government has been so thor
oughly stirred up that it will not leave
a stone unturned to aIlav the existing
commercial and colonial discomfort. IN
this connection it NAV be mentioned
that the tariA discussions at the recent
colonial conference were very init
matelY connected with the shipping
jsituation. "A leading ship owner and
close friend of the colonial secretary,
Joseph Chamberlain, said to a repre-
sentative of the Associated Press:
America must not think that the I'M
perial government Is going to leave the
colonies at the mercy of the ShipDing
or any other trust. The discomfort is
acute enough now in many quarters
of the empire. While Great Britain
does not want a commercial war with
the United States she win not stand
indefinitely being shut out. by the
American tariff while keeping open
house for American traders In the Unit
ed Kingdom. The question of retail.
atory duties is not so improbable as
many people imagine There is no
reason why the British colonial mar
kets should not be opened to British
goods on a preferential basis. We
have been asleep here In England for
long time. but when we wake up
America had better look OUT
Sir Christopher Furness (who has
been referred to as the possible head
of the English financial syndicate that
is likely to purchase the Cunard fleet
as the nucFeus for q British shipping
combine which may include s1e Allan
deet) limited at similar possibilities yes
terday in his speech before the steam
ship meeting at Manchester, but as he
was addressing a public meeting he
was not so outspoken as the leading
/ ship owner just quoted.