The sun., 1907-04-14
EXPECTS RUSH or AMERICANS.
LONDON HOPES TO WIN S2J, 900, 900
FROM TOURISTS.
Capacity OF Steamship Companies Insuni-
ctent for Tide OF TraVel-Dublln Exhl-
htlOn Hopes King Gives the word
for Gay seasOn-COIOnlaI PremIers.
Special Cable DsspateA 10 TIE SUN.

| tot O1y SeasOn-O0bOniA Rrcntcru.
Special Cable DeSDGteA TO THE SUN.
! LONDON. April lS.-LOn doners are looking
forward with the highest expectations to a
gay, busy season. The King. 1t Is said. has
caused his desire to be made known that the
leaders OF society shall entertain on as large
a scale as possible. This. Of course. means
prosperity for the West End tradesmen.
The theatres and music halls are already
generally doing well and the opening OF
Covent Garden on April 30 pro misses a
notable season. which will commence with
Der Ring des Nibelungen.' Interesting
productions promised are PonchieIli's Clio
conda. Verdis Don Carlos. with Mozart's
operetta -Bastien ct Bastienne." MAscaG-
mis- iris" which has not previously bee,.
heard at Covent Garden, is also promised.
The presence Of the Colonial premicrs for
the conference which opens on Monday will
also be the cause OF a large amount Of enter
tanning. but more than anything else in the
coming season Londoners are looking for
ward TO a record influx OF Americans as the
backbone of the summers prosperity.
The Tribune in an editorial yesterday
remarked: Not an insignificant item in
the balance OF trade between the United
States and Great Britain is the expenditure
in this country Of American tourists" and
figures of this as well as of previous years
amply justify the statement. Already
over 100000 Americans are booked for this
country or the Continent and practically
every one is expected to do London on the
outward or homeward trip.
The international Horse Show, which
will be a great feature Of the season. is
expected to bring hundreds OF Americans
TO England, while the Irish exhibition, il is
hoped, will attract numbers Of Irish Ameri-
cans to Dublin and make a busy season for
the Irish lake district. 1T is particularly
gratifying" says the editorial already
quoted. that the exhibition is certain to
have the result Of fertilizing that distressful
country with American gold
SN-AS@t4eS as-NS& SSAeebNgMEgHNA hN;
for many years been a familiar feattffe
Of the London season. but this year there
is a general expectation that the number Of
rich Americans here and the freedom with
which money will be spent will be greater
than ever As an example. the coming Of
$50 motorists TO tour the British Isles and
Europe is quoted. One expert says that
t25 900 is a conservative estimate Of
the money that will be spent by the ever
welcome American tourist. Many are e1-
pected to leave this country when the season
is over.
Inquiries of the shipping companies
and tourist agencies all point the same
way. The rush has begun earlier than
usual. Berths have been book ed go far
ahead that already there is considerable
difficulty in securing passages for June
and July. Hundreds were booked as far
Aao Ioa he -
pany has added one boat to its line. the
Hamburg American company has added
two, the White Star Line will put on the
big Adriatic in May. while additional berths
are being built into some Of the boats.
The London hotels, the greatest and
best OF which it is well known, could not
keep open but for American custom. are
ioyfully preparing to meet the demand.
The Carlton has Accommodations for $50
visitors, OF whom during the season about
2SO are usually Americans There are
already some $50 Americans at the Cecil.
The West End shopping districts also
have an eye on the coming tidal wave OF
American gold. but here the activity has
sharply defined limits. The motor car
companies are preparing for a prosperous
season. particularly in hiring cars. Mems |
yCWctcIbt uAdhcIb arc |
also looking forward to a welcome boom, /
but for the most part costumiers and !
milliners do not appear TO be particularly |
interested in the approaching invasion.
American ladies' do not shop much in |
London says a West End costumier. |
Most Of them who come to London are
either going TO Paris or have already been |
there. American ladies occasionally buy |
tailormade gowns here, but most OF the |
articles Of ladies' apparel are bought in
Paris. II is simply matter Of international
reputation. In New York society a gown |
made in Paris is an object OF admiration |
and envy. similar gown coming from
London is quite undistinguished.'
But in spite Of the ladies' costumiers,
it may safely be said that all London is
waiting with open pockets to welcome
their American cousins with open hands.