27 JULY 1929, Page 3

The Bremen ' The new German Atlantic liner ' Bremen

' has beaten the Mauretania's ' " record " for the passage from Cherbourg to New York by 8 hours 17 minutes. Germany is rightly proud of the performance. It has often been said that the Mauretania ' has never really been pressed, and that she could beat her own " record," but it does not follow either that she could beat the new " record," or that the owners would think it wise to press this gallant old ship to her limit. Meanwhile there are stories from the great shipbuilding countries—whether warranted or not we do not know—of schemes for building ships larger and faster than the ' Bremen.' Perhaps, however, it is not useless or irrelevant to ask at this stage whether the fastest ship is the most comfortable.