New-York tribune., 1903-04-27
OCEAN BUSINESS BAD.
SHIP TRUST SUFFERS.
May Reduce Sailings-Not Anr-
ious to Beat Stettin Flyers.

Especial New-Yorz Tribune by French CaUie''
downright; 1903: By The Tribune Association
London. April 27, a. m.-Au so. of rumofs
are current in Liverpool as to the position and
prospects of the Atlantic slipping combination
These are due mainly to the fact that the Al
Iantic trade is in a bad way. Results OF wy
ages for some time past have SHOWN DOM III
cargo and passenger boats a disastrous ioss
and the leakage is at present worse thah ever
There is talk now OF reduction in the salllhgS
OF the vessels of the combination TO and from
Liverpool as one mems of stopping portion
of the wastage, for it is clear that no concern,
however powerful. can go indefinitely drop
ping money at the rate of $4,000 to S1o'ooo
voyage.
Meanwhile. it is quite on the cards tnat the
agreement between the Cunard company and
the British Government may never be carried
out. The maiden voyage of Kaiser Will
helm II was followed with great interest by
British shipbuiIders and they now less anx-
ious than ever to attempt TO wrest the transat-
lantic record from Germany-at all events, un-
less the terms of the contract are altered
while the Cunard directors have come to the
conclusion that the project for the construction
OF two steamers to beat the Stettin flyers would
not be very lucrative one for the company.
Shfpowners are frightened by the Chancellor
Of the Exchequer's announcement that he will
postpone the abolition of the corn duty until
July. Usually the budget proposals operate
from the beginning of the new financial year,
but Mr.. Ritchie says he has obligations which
must be respected and he cannot remove the
tax forthwith. Grain merchants say the i'm
port of grain between now and July will be
restricted TO an irreiucible minimum, since
there's every inducement TO defer importing in
tIoa As he
kets will be idle tonnage will be unable to find
homeward freights. and unless the shipowners
can compensate themselves by securing higher
outward freghts, which is highly improbable,
they Will be obliged TO lay up their vessels until
the inevitable rush of shipments comes in an
ticipation of July l.
Somaliland dispatches published this morning
are regarded as fairly satisfactory. Military
experts are, however agreed that for the pres
ent the British advance has come to an end. 1t
is known that there difficulties with regard
to the supply of camels, and General Manning
has not a sufficiently large force for striking
purposes after holding extended length Of
road back to Berbera. It is one more instance
of an invading force brought to a standstill by
exhaustion due to protecting a long line of
communications, which absorbs a great part
of its strength
The latest advices from Berlin report that the
German Government has decided to enter ener-
getically upon a tariff with Canada. and
will levy additional duties upon Canadian
produce equal to those imposed by the Dominion
Parliament on German imports. The main de-
terrning motive is alleged to be the hope that
this drastic measure may operate as a deter
rent on other British colonies which might feel
disposed to draw more closely the bonds of COM
nercial union with the mother country. Ger
! tain press organs are desirous that the govern
mont should go further still, and they point out
/ that Great Britain is no less responsible than
her colonies inasmuch as the preferential treat
/ ment complained of is offered to her with her
| consent and approval
| No official statement has been issued so far
with regard 10 the question Of the Prince or
Wales visiting the st. Louis Exposition, and II
| is believed that the matter has not yet been
| officially considered. The first meeting OF the
British Commission will be held tomorrow at
/ MARLBOROUGH House under the presidency OF the