FIGHT FOR PANAMA CANAL TRADE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1773, 11 June 1913, Page 8

FIGHT FOR PANAMA CANAL TRADE.

A HAMBURG-LIVERPOOL LINE, Tho Hamburg-America lino recently agreed with Mr. Bernard Baker, of Baltimore, to find half the capital of 15,000,000 dollars for a coastwise service through tho Panama Canal between San Francisco and Now York. Various British lines are preparing to compete keenly for tho Panama Canal trade, and an arrangement between tho Hamburg company and a Liverpool shipowner is now rumoured. Tho "Shipping Gazette" says:— _ "It is reported in usually well-informed quarters that Mr. J. 11. A\clsford, of Liverpool, has effected an arrangement with tho Hamburg-America line which will involve a 'shipping deal' of some coilsiderable magnitude, and have far-rcacli-ing importance so far as Northern Paciiio trade is concerncd when tho Panama Canal is opened for traffic. Iji addition to controlling tho Gulf Transport line, Mr. Wolsford has an establishment on tho North Pacific coast, where somo two or throe years ago ho purchased a local steamship lino in shrewd anticipation of tho changes and chances which tho opsning of tho Panama Canal would bring. Now, it is currently reported in London and Liverpool, Mr. "Wolsford has eoiuo to an agreement witli the great German company referred to. under which a number of Hamburg-American liners, will be put into u new concern, which is being established with a capital of half a million sterling to exploit tho trado of the Northern Pacific port s with tho United' Kingdom and tho Continent. During tho past six months the Hamburg-America lino has purchased a number of large cargo steamers of good power, ostensibly for this particular trade."-