The trend of emigration from the Balkans at the beginning of the 20th century affected all the countries of the region, and immigration to the United States (U.S.) was particularly attractive.
In this context, Croatian media published an interesting advertisement from the early 20th century in which a passenger transport agency from Trieste to the “promised land” was advertised.
“The Austro-American Line Fratelli Cosulich is the only domestic company for the transport of passengers and goods from Trieste to all the main ports of the U.S.,” the ad states.
In the language and expressions specific to that time, the company boasted 30 “transatlantics.”
“The company’s fleet consists of 30 of the most modern transatlantics. Large ocean liners built especially for emigrant service depart from Trieste to New York almost every eight days,” the ad reads.
The advertisement was primarily focused on the inhabitants of Dalmatia, the Banovina, BiH, and Montenegro.
“That is why for emigrants from Dalmatia, BiH, the Banovina, Montenegro, and in general from the Balkans, the most beautiful way to travel to the U.S. is with the Austro-American Line,” it says in this interesting advertisement.
The prices of these journeys were described as “moderate.”
“Prices moderate. Fast travel. On all steamships, domestic cuisine, electric lighting, and a doctor are available to passengers free of charge. For further information, one should write in the Croatian language to the Austro-American Line, Passenger Office, Trieste X, or one may contact the company’s agents who are present in all the cities of the mentioned countries,” it concludes.
According to official data from BiH in the period from 1892 to 1924, several thousand people emigrated to the U.S. Most people went to the U.S. from Herzegovina, but also from the Krajina area, Klix.ba writes.
