New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-12-16
men NITTON1L POLICT.

HIGH NITTON1L POLICF.
The restoration Of the commercial marine Is Il
question of high National policy appearing 10
the patriotic impulses of every American G'i|eh
The prosperity of the coaStlng, lakc ana iii'dnu
shipping interests is an earnest ol what can DC
ACCOMPLISHED on the high seas II Il large meas
uIe of protection is substituted for lndl1ler-
ence and neglect. 1t must, however, he IA
IN, 90 measure OF relief in order 10 be elective
The commercial marine in foreign trade has
,oachcd so low stage of its fortunes that II
can only he revived by comprehensive lcG>-
la,ion. The Senate bills before the House are
not measures designed merely To assist the
dozen or more American steamship lines now
struggling for existence against 1orclgn com,
nctition: but enlightened and Wcl-dlgc>tcd
projects for carrying ont a National poHcN "I
the highest importance. These measures com
binc the principles of two systems adopted ny
maritime Europe for encouraging and develop
ing its shipping interests HE Navigation
Bounty bill embodic> the recent policy OF
France and Italy without directly putting a
prcmium upon shipbuiIding. The Ocean Mali
bill involves the current practice OF 6orWanN
and England in promoting the organization
Of new steamship lines and opening foreign
markets for exports. These measures VIII he
alternative in thcil operation. The sam" YES
>cl-ouncrS cannot derive benefit from both
simultaneously
Both these measures are necessary and should
be enacted The Navigation Bounty hill Will
operate in a general way 10 revive the com
mcrcql marine. steam and sail. i he Ocean
Mail bill will lead to the immediate establish
mcnt Of American lines IN the transatlantic
service ana by promoting RAPID steam COZ"
munication between the United Ni1''' ana
Brazil the Plate countries. the West '"IN' 81
~outb America. Australia. China and Japan
will develop the export trade 10 the advantage
of every industrial interest IN the country.
Let these two measures be IN operation '"I
zen wears and the prestige "i ~" American
Ha, on the high seas viii again ice restored.
We cannot understand how any American c'-
izon can be indifferent To- Til, grand National
policv. Public opinion i behind II. Inc
prosperity of the shipping interests involves
the prosperity Of every productive InGuN'r! oi
the countjy-of agricultural no less than manu-
! featuring interests. The Republicans OF the
House will make a serious mistake" II lh"N d''
upon The theory that the people ~ the recent
elections pronounced against the p"Ir\ "l Pc
Hv.ng american shipping. Ia view "i the
oupcrt unitic> offered hN The short session for
hlockIny legislation ia the senate We "'IIi
have preferred to have the House cnay, hoth
measure, withuut material amendment nc
Ocean Maui bill can. however. be passed with
on, alteration and possibly the amended
Eoun,v bill mly he sent to tEc ~cnatr IN tlWc
H. secure the acQjGc>ccncc of that body. We
earnestly hope hat the leader, Of ihc House
oiU adopl a course in the debates Of thI> week
which will secure al the least possible rl-,
OF obstruction in either body. favorable action
upon both measures.
The cost Of the Ocean Mail Till can hc large
" met ou, OF the profits Of foreign po>'apc
with American shipping Interests IN thcn
present state Of decline 1t j. simply m"n~'lou'
that the Government >boald be actually MAX
me money ont 81 foreign postage. Moreover
il will be plactical measure Of naval ccoro
my. since il will encourage the construction 4"
steamers Of high speed. which can bc chartered
and employed by the Government ia an cmcr
ooncy II Will be more economical for the
Government 20 create an auxiliary navy b.,
paving subsidies. a. England and Germany do
for mail transportation or for the pllvlc@" "
char;cIing them, than to pcrscVcrc III the pei
icy of building fast cruisers. rs for the naNI
CATION bOuntic> the expense involved by III
Ncnfc bill, with without amendments ]
trivial in comparison with the immense bcr"
fits to be derived from the development OF III
American export trade This j, the time Io
action. the movement Tor restoring the Ell
c!cncy of the Navy has impaired Il great i'm
pulse to the shipbuidng interests. Tn
, passage Of the shipping bills will enable tn
: >hipyald> to increase their plant and t. rcduc
the cost Of iron >hipbullding rs well rs +
improve the quality Of the work. RccproGt
with Southern countries will supplement III
C revival of the commercial marine and proinot
e the expansion OF foreign trade. Here j, a hig
@ National policy. Let Congress have the com
e age TO adopt il, and every sincere and patriot
G American will have cause for gratitude