Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1896-11-21
UNITED STATES LOSING. GROUND IN
MARITIME COMMERCE.
Japan Is Snpping the Trade WhAc"
Belongs to Our Merchant
Marine.

commissioner of navigation Tor 1885, dItoA
referring to tee necessity for the passage
of q free ship bill, states that our mari
time rank on the Pacific is now contested
nv q new rtyal-Japan-which, by hoerai
and progressive laws, has established a
trans-Paciffc steamship line to the United
States, and with the cooperation Oh
American capital is preparing to eXtehu
rapidly the service. in 1880 the tonnage
os American vessels entering the United
States from the ports of Asia and Ocean
lea was 283, 395 tons, and of foreign YES
sells, 442,251 tons.
In 1895 the American tonnage enter
ing was 3O8, 481 tons; foreign tonnage, 651-
206 tons. The large and profitable carry
ing trade once conducted between ASH
attic and European ports by American
vessels, which seldom entered American
ports, has almost entirely passed away.
We have already seen the American flag,
the commissioner says, almost wholly
disappear from the mid-Atlantic, save as
borne by the mail steamers of the Ameri-
can line, and the figures presented tended
to show that the carrying trade of the
Pacific is slipping from US Before it is
SOIAAA'A4GSAOAN~~
gests that congress inquire into the con-
ditions of the trans-Pacific transporta-
ton. For the control of this trade the
United States enjoy obvious natural ad-
vantages. Within the last five years jap
ans sea-going steel steamers have in
creased from 10 of q, 80 tons to 80 of &c.
1888 tons. The number of American steel
and iron steamers on the Pacific is 40,
of 68 $50 tons.
The reports recommend the immediate
extension of the act of 1892, under which
the steamships New York and Paris were
admitted to American register, and the
steamships st. Louis and st. Paul were
built in the United States. Under the ex-
listing law it is impossible to establish
a Pacific mail service.
Oppose More Duties.
The report opposes at length the prop
osition to impose 10 per cent additional
discriminating duties on all cargoes
brought into the United States by for
eign vessels. 1t points out that for over
50 years the United States have followed
the policy of reciprocity in shipping. Ev-
cry other maritime nation of considerable
rank has adopted and now pursues the
same policy.
Our total imports for 1895 were valued
az 1871, 96S, &c., Of which $500 526,362 were
brought in foreign vessels. The discrim-
nation duty bill would put an additional
charge of $1,000 900 on our international
exchanges, based on the figures for 1895,
an amount approximately equal to cur
entire ocean freight bills on imports and
exports
In 1895 we imported $95, OOO 900. Of which
$50, O00 900 came from Brazil. At least
nine-tenths of the $50 100000 was in coffee
imported into the country from Brazil,
and $4,000 900 came in foreign vessels.
For the extra concession, Mr.. Chamber
lain says, which under the discriminating
duty project the American people would
be required to pay for Brazilian coffee
alone. there could be established steam
ship lines, including % steamers, equal to
the st. Paul or st. Louis, or much larg-
er class required for South American,
Asiatic and African trade.
The report quotes articles from our
treaties with So principal nations in the
world, ali of which, it Is contended, must
be abrogated at the expense of disturb
ance of our trade relations with the world
if the policy of discriminating trades is
to be adopted by the United States.
As to Seasmen.
The report also favors the enactment
of the omnibus bills, relating to naviga
ton and to American seamen in the folIT
faVorably reported by the senate commit
tee on commerce at the last session. rath
er than in the form which these bills
passed the house of representatives.
renews the argument of repeal of com
puIsory pilotage on the coastwise sail
ing vessels, and points out that congress
has spent over $27,O00,OOO in improve
ments of II harbors at which compulsor,
pilotage is still exacted from domesti
sailing vessels. BY the abolition of use
less registry bonds the American ship