New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-01-12

thing left that can DC recognized as remnant oi
lis former prosperity and glory.
The United :, atcs during tIc laS' year mas "vc
asserting proudly IFS dignity rs conunch'aI
ana maritime Power j has summoned al III
republican States OF America To an international
conference IN order To iaciH'''e Von'h'"'"
exchanges, and to promote the cnd> ol peace.
IT, has effected revision of tine rules cf the sr0
hy Z. second conference of the maritime f0WciS
II has offered in the reciprocity policy fargo
measure of free trade 10 the southern RcpuDlc>
an thc basis of cuuitablc exchanges These have
been great transactions, which have converted
Washington into the diplomatic capital OF the
continent But this distinction cannot be re-
iained. unless active measures are taken not only
IN save the remnant Of the commercial marine,
bnt also 10 restore the maritime prestige Of III"
Nation. The Pan-Amerlcan Conference ana the
reciprocitv policy can be converted into ire
mendous commercial and industrial agencies ior
bringing the three Americas into harmonious
relations and for promoting tie highest ends OF
civilization; hut not without an immediate and
radical change of policy respecting the CON
mercial marine. That must first be restored ny
creative legislation. Then the promise OF me
last wear of American diplomacy may be iulhllcd.
All that is required Is u reverslon 10 the en-
lGhtered Democratic polcy whch pieTa'ed pPIoIc
the war-that of making the m2ll service !"
medium for the development of shipping interests
Narrow minded partSanS OF the opposition VINO
are clamOrng against the ocean mai service VIZ
and navigation bountics find il convenient 70 t"rGc'
that the largest mail subsidies ever glNch I"
American ships were sanctioned by Democra'lc Nou-
presses during the administrators OF Democratic
Presidents.
snls sailing under the American flag was Sl,93o,
10 and there was not n year OF tAa' d"c"'c OF
Democratic Administration when considerably
more than 81 100000 was not expended lor lhl'
uurpo sc-oftppcr nearer 81 5000 than Sl.OOO,-
600 In one of President Cicvclands years the
amount paid To American vessels for mail trans
narration was S433i9-ab0ut Onc-scventh OF the
sur, contributed to foreign lines. Even IN lSo"
rho American lines received only 81 09.S2s-a'me-
thing more than n quarter Of the receipts Of Tor
cirn lines from the PostOhcc Department al Wash
ington This barren policy has been IN force
when the actual cost OF the ocean mail service
has been 90 per cent Of the revenues derived from
foreign postage-or in round numbers about 81
OOO 900 against 500. 100000. Meanwhile the
commercial marine has been steadily and lneN-
itahy declining. Has not the time come az
last when the United States will cease to ne me
only maritime nation on earth that SYSTEMATICALLY
and deliberately neglcctS its shipping interests
The five American lines now carrying The nag III
The West Indies owe their maintenance during re-
cent years largely to commercial concessions ana
direct subsidies received from foreign Govern
mrnts-uuc Of them DOW having an annual SUD
sidv Of 500 900 from Brazil. Is II rot time Tor
tine United States Government 10 do something
on il, own account for the relief of Shipping M
tcrcSts that are dependent upon foreign charity :
How iCnominious will be the attitude of THAI
Government it, after inviting the American re-
puhlics to an international symposium on the
question of continental trade and prochlmlhg
Grct1roritv under cuutal'p conditions, IT re-
mains an idle and indifferent spectator 70 FOREIGN
yading of the commercial marine and Deliberately
refuses 10 adopt large and decisive policy OF re-
lief and restoration ]. y. +