New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-04-03
War lin Ocean
Freights Ends;
Jump in Rates
Conferences i'll Continental
European Trades Again in
Force After Break Which
Dates Back to Last Fall
Rise, 200 to 800 Per Cent
Adjustment Reached at the
Shipping Boards Offices
in Effect Immediately

The war in ocean freight rates to
Continental! European ports. which had
heen in effect since last fall, came to
an end yesterday.
Increases in frcights of as high as
600 to 500 per cent over the existing
ones have been announced, to take
effect Immediately.
establishment has been effected OF
the conference which had been disrupt
cd since the French Line broke away
from the agreed scale of rates some
months ago. because. it claimed. the
shipping Board was overtonnaging the
trades in which the French vessels
taken By the Lloyd Royal Beige Lines,
and the other lines joined in a general
slashing of rates. In some cases freight
which had been carried at about $50
ton was taken at less than 81, and
there were sharp reductions oil along
the line.
British Trade Affected
The four trades affected were those
to French Atlantic, Belgian, Dutch and
German ports, in all of which the
French Line had services. Reductions
some time ago reached the point where
British importers found it cheaper to
have their goods sent from the United
States to French ports and trans
shipped thence to British ports than to
have them sent direct to Great Britain.
The United Kingdom Conference, which
was maintained throughout the rate
war. sought to meet this situation re-
Gently by making % per cent cut in
its rates In addition to the increase
in rates already announced for freight
to Continental European ports, it is ex-
pected that an advance will be made in
the United Kingdom rates.
Previous efforts made by the Ship
piping Board to effect an adjustment in
the situation, which was causing losses
10 the majority OF the transatlantic
lines, were unsuccessful. Recently,
however, q statement issued by the
representatives of the Lloyd Royal
Beige here indicated that a resumption
Of conference relations was desired.
A meeting was held at the Offices of
which was attended by representatives
Of the French Line and the other in
terests involved, and it was announced
yesterday that an agreement had been
reached.
Rates Sharply Advanced
Committees have been appointed for
these have drawn up schedules Of rates
for the various classes OF freight. To
French Atlantic ports, 1t is stated.
freights will be advanced on agrcul-
tural implements from 50 a ton to IS:
on provisions, from 20 cents 100
pounds to 90 cents; on general cargo,
from 81 a ton to SIG, and on OIL from
IS cents barrel to 1925. Rates in the
other trades are reported to have been
liked at slightly higher levels.
There has been some Improvement
recently in the volume of freight Of
fering for transatlantic shipment, with
a stiffenng tendency in rates. The
sharp increases now put into effect
are expected to cause some temporary
check in the increase in volume of
goods seeking cargo space. Increase
i" foreign demand is expected to off
set thus tendency. however, although
much shipping laid up because profit
able careoes could not be secured will
now probably be returned to service.