The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-05-04
FREE TRADE IN SHIPS.

PROSPECTS OF BRITISH AND AMERICAN SHIP
PING IN REFERENCE TO THE EASTERN WAR.
To THE EDITOR OF THE HgkALD:-
have with much interest the article In to-day
HERALD which oreshadows the commercial! condition
Of England should she decide 70 take part In the
between Russia and Turkey. According TO the writer
American commerce, or 10 speak more correctly, tho
American carrying trade, will reap immense ad-
vantage the event OF such q complication, and he
goes far TO say that the greater part Of ngands
commercial marine will ultimately be transferred TO
tho American dag TO avoid the chances Of capture from
Russian prvateers and men-owar, which will be In
position to do greater damage 10 ships owned by sub
jects Great Britain than Confederate cruisers were
able 70 nnict on American vessels during our own war;
Now this view OF the subject may DO so far az
the perous position England In respect ship
ping interests concerned, though very much doubt
the ability Of Russian cruisers with the ports Of
own country blockaded, and considering tho dicul-
ties or getting their prizes into neutral pors including
the disposition Of the and passengers captured
on the vessels to interfere seriously with English
commerce. But II appears to me that you fail TO
appreciate the difference IN Engand's present position,
commercially speaking, and that OF our country
during the war VI the rebellion. England enjoyed Tree
could and some dd seek refuge under her dag where
there being OF REMEMBERING them according
70 our laws they ,.,!i remain In this way mucn
aud became 70 all tnsents and purposes
English, having either been acquired BY
transferred, nomnaly, for tho sake OF safety. Such
was Englands position In reference to acquiring and
able amount OF Amsrcan tonnage during period OF
emergency
playing similar role you will that IL Is very slim.
We have not, you are aware, tree trade In ships,
nor have we ever adopted that policy !. has. how:
to-day any ship bearing auy dag can always obtain
English registers Thus, during our war. she was
them. We could not get them back after The war; and
whyf Because stupid restrictive laws forbade
sas I'' Once ros,.sessd on The book Of foreign
Custom House there was no return. There they must
remain; But suppose We, looking q. the probable
repeal navigation laws and declare free trade in
ships and the influx Of English tonnage eager shell
then The war over, will that tonnage, having en-.
joyed the lions share OF tho carrying trade under NOM
not /. viii return to English ownership and English
registers as certainly as ours Tor at least great part OF
~ would have returned 70 US had our sapont iogisa.
try" not persisted in opposing It.
am and always have been ardent advocate Of
evo our policy OF prossc.ion and restriction 70 be
the most senseess criminal and hurtful ever imposed
upon civilized nation by Legislative iRnoramu 70
II we are indebted for large portion OF our present
difficulties May II speedily be swept away with tho
rubbish Of the past and It's advocates be mentioned
only with derist0n, a. they will assurcdly be. But
cannot share your convictions that step In the right
direction, oven now, will bring Us that commercial
R Sy Free trad. 1'H IN sSp. win und oUps
eddy Increase somewhat tonnage, but under
present conditions Il speak In view Of Engands
mage opportunity 10 continue y profitable business
AZ "neutrals," and whom the war is ended and the
danger passed 70 return 10 the psternal told and
sumo again the family name. That this will be the
have not the smallest doubt and suspect that
moro than one shipowner belonging 10 thai great
wishing, alter having run OF the by his supe-
facilities for competition facilities denied
by our own governmentl that Brother Jonathan will
and take charge OF his "fosting Investments"
chrlsten them with the sacred namo oil "ncutrals"
and return them him "whcn the cruel 10 over
all IN shape commence again the struggle Tor CON-
mercia supremacy, which, owing In great 70 the
foles Of legislation, has thus far resulted IN defeat
for ourselves CHARLES II. MARSHALL.
NEW York, May 3, 1871