New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-06-29
,,..oinc of Panama Will Re-
0p S,me TranSpaCifiC Tonnage
Rates from $35 to SIS.
covERNMENT SLOW TO ACT
establishment of Great Seaport
:, papeete, in the Tahiti
Islands, Advocated by
Financiers.
rBy cable to The Tribunel

,.ss lime 2S.-French bankers and
,.,,.trial leaders have for the last five
- been systematically working for
.,sre Of the commercial advantages
b. secured by the opening Of the
,...ra Canal The French are much
'-..-.s,ed in the opening of the canal
-, because French enterprise opened
~. nay bv the financially unfortunate
-.s.-taking Of the engineer Lesseps.
..5 second. on account Of the old and
-.,nable French colonies. such as La
,,sseloupe. Martinique and other West
,.s;sn colonies. and, last, but espe-
s,llv. the Pacific colonies which the
French term oceanic.
these several French possessions
..-oss the seas stand in privileged
,os;.ion in regard to the Panama
r,nal once opened, the waterway
lining the two oceans will create a
-.-i-able commercial revolution. The
french public does not Yet fully realize
,,s profound modification Of economic
nd commercial conditions that this
rsat geographical change will effect.
p-onosals for the enlargement and i'm
movement Of the harbots Of Fort de
france and Of Pointe aux Pitres. in
he West Indies, are being studied, but
,ssse nevertheless. Will Mt take the
s-st place in future commercial de-
velopments
Financial men are anxious TO press
he matter on the government at once
m account Of the usual slowness Of
French administrative departments.
Tahiti is a French colony admirably
situated for the purpose OF forming a
commercial station, and the construc-
ton Of a port Of call at Papeete Is, as
he French say. indicated The col
oav Of Tahiti lies about ALSO miles
from Panama and about 1910 miles
from Sydney. The creation Of a coal
rs station al DjiboUt has already
gwen satisfactory results, French trade
and maritime expansion having bene-
hted greatly thereby. a great mari
tine centre'at Papeete would give d
considerable impetus 70 French trade
snd colonial development. and the ad-
ysntages TO merchant shipping would
be Immediately appreciate. Steamers
would have 20 carry only half the
quantity OF coal because they could re-
penish their bunkers midway across
The Pacific. thus reserving for ordinary
Merchandise the space otherwise
wanted for coal
The works az Papeete would surely
b important and expensive. The
building Of eight lighthouses would be
The first step to serve as beacons for the
neighboring islands The bar at the
mouth Of the harbor requires enlarge
ment and is 10 be deepened Quays and
landing stages will have TO be con-
sructed, as well as coal wharves.
Steam cranes, pontoons and other
plants would be necessary 10 fit up a
vel equipped seaport.
Il is estimated that a sum OF al least
100000 is needed 10 accomplish the
work Immediately 10 be done But the
commercial expansion that this enter
Prise would bring TO Tahiti and the
1sighocring colonies should be a suf-
icient inducement TO the French gov
'rnment 10 undertake the task at once.
such is the view not only Of Monsieur
Stronger, Senator from Guadeloupe,
concerning the West Indies. but also Of
-olonial politicians, maritime interests,
raiders, engineers and economists.
These French colonies have been
'eglected and are almost dead. If the
authorities take advantage Of the open
hg Of the Panama Canal in good time
lev life will be given 10 the French
possessions overseas. The change Of
ne tonnage rates would amount al
most to a revolution if Papeete became
ne great midocean calling station pro-
'osed.
me present freight rates across the
'aeihc are heavy, for they amount 10
'oout $50 ton, whereas If these plans
-
narge would fall 10 about Sl5. The
numerical and financial interest Of the
natter TO the French nation is evident,
" the ocean traffic might exceed
MIN two years the total Of 100000
ons. The Minister Of Commerce has
ne matter under consideration, and
avs that necessary measures will soon
e submitted TO Parliament.