New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-12-19
APPROVAL OF AMERICAN SEA CAPTAINS.

APPROVAL OF AMERICAN SEA CAPTAINS.
WHAT THEY SAY As TO THE POSSIBILITIES OF
TURNING MERCHANTMEN INTO WAR VESSELS.
Following are the views of several captains Of
American steam and sailing ships. as expressed in
response to questions by Tribune reporter yes
terday afternoon
Captain A. Il. Conner. Of the Mallory Line steam
ship Colorado, which runs between here and ports
in Georgia and Florida said: Il admire the firm
ness OF the President In bringing matters to a halt
until we can find out just where we stand. | like
his Ideas II ne understands the situation thoroughly.
have been Informed that no one wanted the dis
puted land until 1t was found to be valuable. Then
It was developed by English capitalists. who natu-
rally want TO be under British rule If the Presi-
dent should appoint commission, the controversy
might be settled in favor of England firmly be-
lieve in the Monroe Doctrine. but also believe in
international arbitration, and think the present
trouble can be amcably adjusted without any seri-
Gus trouble
I'm case Of war however. the United States would
come out all right Our fine Navy. small as it is,
would be speedily enlarged, and American cruisers
would soon drive English merchant ships from this
hemisphere and bother them pretty badly In all
other parts of the world Look at the trouble made
by Semmes. In the Alabama, during the Rebellion
We have plenty of captains In the American mer
camille marine that could infict fully as much
damage on British commerce Semmes did on
orr commerce. England might bother our Navy
and our merchant ships little at first. but al
| though her navy Is much larger than ours II
has big territory to cover and would have TO be so
split I'D that II would not be effective against us.
Great Britain cannot afford to declare war
against the United States, for she would be declar-
| ing war against the whole Western hemisphere.
| and this country would have Mexico and every
| South American nation as allies. Canada would
| then be overrIn and captured mighty quick. Eng
| land needs the United States too much 10 declare
/ ne would lose
our crops and market for her manufactured
| goods but also the immense trade she mas with
Brazil and other South American countries In MIN
ing and milling machinery railroad material ana
| and Engand's loss would be Americas gain Eng
bn sR may ya 6 n he n cd
Captain James Wilder, of the Mallory Line steam, steam,
sSp sens ia correct and the PresdSn is right in
| proclaiming it. Uncle Sam has always been able
time / decidedly in favor of ENGLAND letting I'm,
part of the world and let them keep their mon
arches in the Ola World In Gass OF war we are sra IN
merchant ships for British men-o'-war to Interfere
that could be lifted out as commerce s destroyers
and could quickly send out fleet OF cruisers
ships II might ali be Very well to play Alabama.
but the hard knocks would come in on the regular
memo war So far as actual naval ngnthg Is con-
Captain Joseph Mckee, Of the Clyde Line steam;
|
Jacksonville said: II am decidedly in favor OF the
people unanimously in favor OF UNFOLDING IT,
This country has the finest navy of IT'S size In the
world, and it could be quickly enlarged sufficiently
to cope with the British Navy, which Is necessarily
scattered almost all over the world Then our
Navy could be wonderfully strenS hened by the fine
fleet of American seagong steamships which are
available cruisers and transports.
stsrbuck. now loading for Portland, Ore. said:
'War with England would probably parayze
American shipping at first, but our Government
would be able 10 protect IL: while England
has. such an enormous mercantile marine that she
could not possibly give II adequate protection, and
we could soon nfict infinitely more damage upon
! her shipping than she could upon ours. War would
go pretty hard upon this country al the outset
| York. which might be shelled by British iron-cads.
| | believe in arbitration, but, war or no war.
! think that If arbitration should fail, our Govern
ment should take firm stand TO enforce the Mon
roe Doctrine even though 1t have to resort to the
severest measures"
Captain c. b. Wheldon, OF the American clipper
chip Sterling loading for San Francisco. had
this II American. and sufficient OF
an American to be decidedly in favor OF the Mon
roe Doctrine and in standing by II against all odds.
In case of war, OF course, our shipping; small as
| done to IT would be small in comparison with the
injury that could be inflicted upon the British mer-
camille marine