Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1913-05-31
In Business Cncles--News and Review
TOBE keen
THROUGH Canal
[BY --latest Malll

=
LONDON. - In view of the ap-
preaching completion of the Panama
canal, all indications now point to
keen competition between the various
steamship lines interested. So far,
however. it is evident that the British
and German companies will be chiefly
involved. Their interests, in fact,
conflict at almost every point.
It is already known, for instance,
that the Royal Mail Steam Packet
Company intends to maintain a round
the-world service through the water
way AT present the Glen and Shire
line steamers, which are under its new
ownership, run to the Far East via
Suez, and it is planned that they shall.
extend their sailings as far as Vie
toria, Vancouver, Seattle and San
Francisco. and other ports on the west
coast of North America, so as to con-
meet with the Royal Mail boats from
Europe via Panama. AS a matter of
fact, with view to the development
of trade before the short water route
between the Atlantic and the Pacific
IS opened, chartered vessels under the
company's control began running
across the North Pacific to the Orient
ON April H.
Keen Competition Expected.
A somewhat similar itinerary Is pro
posed by the Hamburg America line
though the service at first will be for
cargo only. In addition, the German
concern is interested in a scheme
which has been put forward by Ber-
Z
Atlantic Transport Company before
its inclusion in tie Morgan combine,
for sailings between New York and
san Francisco, via Colon and other
canal ports. This is, OF course, coast
wise trade, which is at present con-
fined to American ships, but foreign
investors can hold shares in the own
ing companies.
About a year ago. Mr. Baker, who
Is credited with being the only Amer
lean shipowner VINO has been able 10
maye transatlantic service pay, en-
Geayored to raise capital in the Unit
ed States for an interoceanic line, but
in consequence CT the hostility of the
railroad interests he did not succeed.
German Capital interested.
During a recent visit to Berlin,
however. he discussed the plans with
Herr Ballin, director-general of the
Hamburg America line, with the result
that it was decided to put German mo-
ney into the enterprise. If this pro-
ject is carried out, ten steamers of
10000 tons each will be built for the
route in American yards, according to
designs approved by the United States
naval authorities, and with special
reference to their. employment as aux
Hilary cruisers or for transport pur-
poses in time of war. An effort will
also be made to obtain the mail con-
tract from the United States Govern
ment, which has been on offer for the
past two years, but for which no ten
der has yet been received.
No Opposition to Combine.
AS far as can be. ascertained, it is
not expected that there will be any
serious opposition on the other side
of the Atlantic to the German-Amer
lean combine Not, very long ago it
was announced that the Pacific Mail
Steamship Company intended to run
vessel via Panama. but as most of its
stock is held by the Southern Pacific
Railroad, and as the Panama Canal
Act prohibits railway-owned vessels
from using the waterway, the scheme
has been abandoned
1t is, however, expected that the
international Mercantile Marine Com
pany will embark upon an enterprise
of the kind. At any rate, two of its
steamers, the Red Star liners Finland
and Kroonland, were recently trans
ferred to American registry, while
Mr.. Harold Sanderson, who is to sue
coed Mr.. Bruce Ismay as president of
the combine on July 1 next. has al
ready examined the facilities avail
able at number of ports on the ca
nal zone.