New-York tribune., 1908-01-16
SEA RATES AGAIN CUT.
Ten Dollar Trip Among Poss'b't'-
ties of the Future.

London, Jan 15-The Atlantic passenger rate
war assumed a phase tonight through the
Cunard Steamship Company making a partial
concession to the demands of its competitors
by the granting of diferential rate of ten shil-
lings on second and third class fares by the
Lusitanfa and Mauretania.
Whether this move is preliminary to at
tempt to end the disastrous struggle cannot be
ascertained. but it has the aspect of concilia-
tion. The White Star Company originally de-
manded a differential of fifteen shillings. 1t ap-
pears probable, however, that If the latter COM
pany is content 10 accept the smaller sum the
dispute may be satisfactorily settled.
The Cunard Company throughout has firmly
contended that conditions Of business did not
warrant a differential Of fifteen shillings, and
although the circular which it issued tonight
does not refer in any way to a dispute, the fact
that the company continues its rate cutting is
held by persons to indicate that it is not
inclined to make further concessions.
The question of differences in the matter OF
passenger rates among the various steamship
lines was expected TO come up for discussion at
a conference of the managers of the Atlantic
steamship companies, including Herr Ballin. di-
rector general of the Hamburg American Line,
which fixed before the rate war began TO
be held in London January Is. The Cunard
company, however, declined to be party to the
conference WHICH, Is announced. mas now Deen
Indefinitely postponed 1t probably will be held
at some future date, when there are better pros
poets Of an agreement being reached.
Liverpool. Jan. 15-The Cunard Steamship
Company made another cut tonight in second
and third class passenger rates in reply to the
White Star Company's recent cut. The new cut
amounts to ten shil1ings in each class, making
total reduction by the Cunard company, since
the beginning Of the rate war, of { 15s for the
second class passengers and 6 2 for third class
passengers. The decrease in the rates applies
to all the Cunard steamers, with the exception
of the Lusitania and the Mauretania, which.
therefore, now differentiate to the extent of ten
shillings.
Following the refusal of the Cunard company TO
come TO terms, the International Mercantile Ma
rine Company cut its eastbound steerage rates on
boats OF the White Star and American lines yes
terday, making total reduction in this class OF
81 IS since the began. It is probable that
further reductions will be made during the next
few days An official Of of the steamship COM
panes concerned sad yesterday that rate of SIC
TO Europe might be offered socn.
The rates made yesterday for such boats as
the Mauretania and the Carmania, of the Cunard
Line; the Adrlatic and the Oceanic. Of the White
Star Line and the better steamships Of the Aneri-
can Line $40 for the eastbound steerage-
On the oloer steamships OF the tnree unes II IS
possible to procure passage for H8 rs. and on the
Umbrfs and the Etruria, of the Cunard Line still
lower rate IS to be made The westbound steerage
rates have not been changed since the reduction OF
last week, when a general rate Of about s26 was
fixed.
During the first fifteen days OF January, N021
third class passengers left this country, against
47s during the same period in 1907 and 7.9 in 1906
The Oceanic Of tho White Star Line, sailed yester-
day with 1.020 steerage passengers for the Cont
nent and left more than one hundred upon the
pier as her capacity had been reached