The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1893-04-15

suit oI 1euSudy STORM.
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1t is now about twelve years since
the French Tonnage Bounty Act took
effect. In 1881 It was shone that there
had been decided falling off in the
tonnage of that country. There had
been decrease Of 10 per cent in about
eight years. The shrinkage Of more
than hundred thousand tons Of ship
ping was the cold fact. Then the ex-
pertinent of bounties began. England
had devised system of subsidies for
the increase Of her shipping, but was
free In her advice to other nations to
discard that policy. In 1881 the mer-
camille steam tonnage of France was
$4,000 tons. Three years ago It was
492,6S4 tons. Since subsidies began to
be paid the steam tonnage OF that
country has been increased 2199l2 tons.
The amount paid to shipbuilders In the
way Of bounties from 1881 to 1887 has
been s9.622.53O.
The most significant fact is that
France. has just extended her naviga-
tion and shipping bounties Yor ten
years more. increasing at the same
time the bounties for construction.
Under a free-trade system, French
ship-bullding declined. There was
material shrinkage of tonnage 1t does
not appear that the bounties for nall
vessels has stimulated any increase
in that direction. On the contrary,
here has been a falling off OF this class
Of vessels. But the rapid extension OF
ing facts OF the day. France has
undertaken to dispute the supremacy
Of the seas with Great Britain. Her
ambition is to become the leading sea
power of the world as well as the lead
ing military power. This marine SUI
premacy is sought to be obtained by
system OF bounties. If there had
been any inherent evil In that system,
after an experiment of ten years.
France would have dropped 1t. But at
the expiration of that period, still
more liberal system of bountles Is
ldopted,and the country makes as 1t
we're a new departure FOR maritime
supremacy.
Under the former Act, the French
subsidy for iron and steel ships was
s11.5S per ton. Under the new act 1t
is $12 5S per ton. In addition to this,
the subsidy for engines and boilers has
been increased from 81 15 per cwt
1nder the Act OF 1881 to 81 81 under the
present law. The tonnage subsidy for
modern vessels is not quite half as
much as that provided for iron and
steel ships. There is also bounty OF
21 cents per ton for each 1000 miles
run on long voyages. Since the first
subsidies took effect In 1881 the re-
duction in pigiron and steel has been
very great. This difference all inuree
to the benefit Of the ship builders.
One authority places the reduction In
the cost Of raw materials at nearly one
half. This new contest for maritime
supremcy is to be made to a large ex-
tent with iron and steel steamships
The metal sailing vessel is not to be
but the wooden ship is no
longer counted as playing any proml-
nent part In the new competition.
Leaving out Of view the naval arma~
ment, France has undertaken to build
up the largest commercial marine In
the world. That Is the meaning Of this
new system OF bounties.
A recent authority has pointed out
hat this has become the settled policy
If France. She has already reserved
Algeria as part or her coastwise trade
Ind Is extending her flag in all direc
ions. This new competition is ini-
lated at time when there is unusual
lullness in the maritime world. occa-
Iionally the statement is made that this
5 the result Of over-building But
arge number OF steam vessels now idle
ire found to be old craft.or those not
furnished with the latest improve
nents and for that reason cannot be
operated with the requisite economy
rhe free-trade theory Is utterly dis
'arded as soon as France strikes out
'or commercial supremacy. It is tarff
Inder another name.
What is good for France in this re-
'pect is good for our own country.
rhe race for maritime supremacy -
about to be renewed. Under system
which has practically free-tradc, the
merchant marine went down nearly 10
zero. Whenever an attempt has been
made to encourage the building up Of
| mercantile marine in this country.
/ has been met with a protest form
III the Freejtrade doctrinaires But
n spite OF all this opposition, there Is
oday something like national aspi-
alton to reach just such results as
france is now striking out for with
,o4 11nur avcfeu1 Of hounflae