New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-02-12

what we should have had, considering our
close proximity. have shown that much
OF this trade has been diverted from its
Legitimate channel, going to other conn
tries, mainly to Great Britain; that while
We have lost they have gained.
Now, Mr. President, why is it that the
trade of nei%hboring republic. the princi-
pal ports of which are within two or three
days sailing distance from the clttrepGi to
20 the Mississippi valley containing twenty
Two States anu six territories with Il popu-
atlon OF more than nine millions, with land
Cd estates outside of cities estimated at
more than $500, 900, 900, the town and city
property being estimated 1T more than $500
to0.0Uo, making a total of over 81 400. 0oO
QUO, forming part of our mainland, our nat
ural neighbor and ally. why is that this great
trade, as well AS the trade of the Spanish Am
erlcan republics south of us, is wrestcd from
us by the European nations, chiefly by Great
Britain Sir. it can not be denied tina, II is
mainly owing TO the settled policy of Great
Britain in granting liberal subsidies to steam
ship companies running to North and South
American ports, subsidies Tor aid. if you
prefer that term which enable those com
panies to put on their lines large fast. and
commodious steamers greatly superior to
those that any American line can afford.
thus enabling them to leave port and ar
rive with more certainty, make better time.
carry more and cheaper. procure rates of
insurance much less. and by these aG-
vantages crush competition or make i. eX-
tremely difficult and precarious.
1t is this policy which has enabled Great
Britain to grasp and hold a large and lucra-
tive trade which belongs of right to us. In
securing this trade alone. the policy OF
Great Britain i'll extending government aid
20 private enterprises is fully vindicated.
as it is largely remunerated. Experience
has shown that we can not compete IL
4 IL. 81 Il,
United States and European nations offer
equally favorable markets for Mexican and
Spanish-American products, the cheaper
transportation would give the treights to
The foreign vessel. The expense Of an
ocean steamer is SO great that ii is we'll
known no vessel can sustain itself without
return cargo unless by an exorbltant
charge upon outward freight. We must
carry as cheap or abandon the field to our
rivals.
The Cunard Line, established i'll 1889.
about the time that the loss of our trade
with Mexico began to be apparent. is an
illustration of this. 1t was ut this time
that Great Britain became fully awake 10
the policy of establishing closer commercial
relations with distant countries 10y mail
subsidies {; policy which has done SO much
10 give her the control, of the commerce OF
the world At this time Great Britain
granted TO the Cunard Company II money
subsidy of S325,O00 per annum for semi
monthly trips. Even with these advan-
tages, that company began with slow going.
cumbersome and economical steamships.
Their service soon grew TO be Il weekly one.
with "a subsidy OF $90O.00e per annum.
which they continued to receive until with
in the last two or three Years. when. hay
ing become thrifty and powerful by liberia!
subsidies granted for thirty years. amount
ing i'll the aggregate to more than twenty
IN. L.. Il Il ~
10000 sterling, or $3.50. 900 per annum.
which is now the amount received 10y that
line During the same time our govern
mcnt has paid this company more than i've
million dollars for the carrying Of our Halls
alone.
But. sir. LET us see how much better the
foresight and so;lnd policy of England
have provided her with commercial and
postal facilities. We constantly hear it
said that England is. Il tree-tradc country,
and her policy i'll this regard Is constantly
urged upon lis: but England protects her
foreign commerce aEG her steamship IN
terest as no other interest was ever pro
.ected by any country and Tor the simple
reason that it Is the most potent Way III
which she can develop her commercial in
.erests and the best and cheapest mode
OF sustaining her navy. Great Britain
has running to North and South Amcrl-
ca nine distinct subsidized lines. three
OF which sail direct from Southampton to
the Gull Of Mexico, one 10 Ialnplco Mexico.
one TO Aspiuwali and one to Puerto Cahello.
ia Venezuela There is also Il line between
Liverpool. New Orleans. and Bailzs. Al
ded to these. there is IA line OF steamers be
tween ST Thomas and Vera Cruz, which
couch at the other Mexican ports, trans
porting merchandise and treasure 10 ST.
Thomas. which are reshpped by the Royal
West India mail line to England. Besides
= i, Of t,rt n
transport treasure from Mexican ports,
which is also reshpped at ST. Thomas. and
sent by the same line to England. There
is also line Of British sailing vessels be-
tween Mexican Gulf ports. carrying ner-
chandlse to Vera Cruz, from whence II Is
shipped on steamers to st. Thomas.
The French Transatlantic Company also
run line of subsidized steamers to the
West Indies and Vera Cruz receiving their
proportion OF 81 100000 subsidy granted to
the three lines Of that company. Besides,
some wears since the French government
loaned this company $5,0OO,Ooo ter ten
wears, without interest.
These are some OF the enormously suhsi-
died mail lines which have enabled Great
Britain 70 stretch her commercial arm and
grasp and hold against all corners the trade
Of Mexico of Central America. and OF the
West Indies She has subsidized lines run
ming to Brazil. Buenos Ayres, ana other
portions of South America, the Australian
line TO Sydney and Melbourne, two ofheI
subsidized lines to the west coast
of Africa, and finally, the greatest line
of all, the Peninsular aud Oriental Man
Steamship Company, which alone employs
iorty-nine large vessels. torty-slX OF which
carry mails for Australia and the East
while. at the present time, our entire SER
vice of that kind employs scarcely more
than thirty steamships, fourteen OF which
are employed by the Pacific Mail Company
and it must he remembered that these are
all coastwise. With these exceptions. we
have but two lines of mail steamers on the
Atlantic side-onc running monthly from
New York to St Thomas, Pernambuco and
Rio de Janeiro and the Pacific mail, run
ming weekly from New York to AsLlnwail
In 1867, think. Congress allowed sl2o.nol
10 an American line for semi-menthly trlns
from New York to Rio dc Janelro, BraAl
The brazilian government had first pr"
posed to give an equal amount, and our con
tract was given. rredicated on the condition
that Brazil should comply with that prop"
siton.
The Fisheries-An Early sett-ement'
New YORK, February Ga special cor
RESPONDENT telegraphs that it is understood
at Washington. and stated as explanatory