The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-07-25
FAvoRs STEAMSHIP SUBSIDIES.

The latest Democratic convert to Repub-
lican principles up to date is Mr.. George w.
Bell, United States consul at Sydney. New
South Wales. When President Cleveland
appointed Mr.. Bell to his present position
he stood squarely on the Democratic plat
form of opposition to all subsidies for the
purpose of promoting American trade. In
fact, according to the Democratic idea this
was but another form of the odious princi-
pie OF protection, by which the government
was made to foster and protect American
interests in preference to others. Therefore.
il was the bounden duty of all good Dem
ocrats to denounce it. and the less they
knew about the policy of other countries
or the practical operation of steamship sub
sides the more vigorously they denounced
them.
But Mr.. Bell has had his eyes opened.
The Sentinel Of yesterday published let
ter from him i'm which he set forth at con-
siderable length the resources OF New
South Wales and the Importance of secur-
ing it's trade The facts and figures pre-
scented by him leave doubt that it is
country of great resources and possibilities.
and that it should be the policy of the
United States to develop its trade with
that and other Australasian colonies He
shows that out of $3.50 entries and de-
partures of foreign vessels at the port of
Sydney during the year 1893 there were
but sixteen of American steamers. There
are. he says. sixteen regular lines of mon
ster steamers plying between Sydney and
the British isles and various ports of
Europe China and Japan, besides hun
dreds of tramp steamers from all parts
of the habtable globe. while the only yes
sells flying the American flag two small
steamers that ply between Sydney and
San Francisco. each of which makes eight
trips year In explanation of this humil-
iatng fact he says:
Most of the steamer lines making this
their terminus are heavily subsidized. and
this seems now To be a strong factor in
modern marine commerce, and whether
adopt it, others must follow the example
or surrender the ocean carrying trade
OF course il seems to be against the policy
OF the United States TO subsidze ocean
transit lines. though. before remarked.
we pay at least Sl50.00Q.000 annually To for
eign ship owners for carrying cargoes.
Six per cent of what now pay those
foreign ship owners would exceed all the
annual subsidies paid by all European ma
tions. and. If applied 10 the encoura cement
of American ships, il would bring into eX-
istence a merchant marine 10 construct.
supply and man which would employ a
number of men equal to CoXey's army.
Thus we have the confession of the Dem
ocratic consul at sydney that the immense
advantage OF foreign steamship lines over
American is that the former are subsidized
| by their governments. ''Of course he
| says. lit seems to be against the policy
| OF the United States to subsidize ocean
| transit lines" To be truthful he should
have said IL is against the policy of the
Democratic party TO do anything TO develop
| American trade. but he IS frank enough
10 admit that whether II is a wise policy
| or not when one or few countries adopt
| II others must follow the example or sur
| render the ocean carrying trade" OF