The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-04-09
O.E RUINED MARINE.
AMERICAN SHIPPING IN THE FOREIGN
TRADE WELL NIGH EXTINCT

Y1ags Of other Nations Flap In Our Har-
bors. but the Stars and Stripes Are Sell
dom Seen Some Startling Statements.
Benefits OF the Proposed New Law.
Excerpts from a speech of Mr.. Elkins
In the United States senate:
Under proper policy of encourage
ment to American shipping the United
States. with its 5000 miles of seacoast,
its nayigable rivers and lake coast, fine
harbors, variety Of climate, productive
capacity, rapidly increasing population,
its position on the globe-Asia on one
side with 60O 600. 900 and Europe on
tho other with 400, 900, 900 of people
should be the leading commercial and
maritime power of the world.
This would be the proud position of
the United States today had protection
to American interests on the sea granted
by the founders Of the government in
the early legislation Of congress been
continued. Our progress on land in a
century is unsurpassed in the history of
material development, while our prog
ress in shipping has languished under
the policy of maritime reciprocity until
our flag is unknown on many seas and
with some nations has almost become
myth.
No nation has ever been truly great
or an important factor in the affairs of
the world unless it has been great on
the sea. The United States cannot reach
its full growth and measure of progress
until its shipping and commerce are rel
atively equal to its industries on land.
During the last 30 years the people of
the United States have been so occupied
with internal development exploring
and exploiting the far west, building
railroads, opening mines, establishing
manufactures, that they have not given
that attention to shipping it deserves
The time is at hand, however, when the
opportunities on land have 80 diminish
ed that business men seeking careers and
fortunes in the commercial world must
turn to the seas The advice Of Horace
Greeley. good at its time, go west,
young man. and grow up with the ooun-
try, has ceased to be good advice now.
The west has been seized, occupied, and
the opportunities for making money are
no greater there than in the east, 50
that advice to young men Of the country
should be TO return to the pursuits, prac-
tices and customs Of their fathers, 60 TO
the seas for career and gather wealth
from shipping and trade with foreign
lands.
The United States pays $500, 900
every day, or nearly $S per capita per
annum. to foreign shipowners for carry
ing what its people sell and buy. This
enormous sum, or most Of it, should be
saved to the people and the country and
would be- under proper policy, Of aid
10 shipping.
. Apart from the importance Of encour-
aging shipping purely as branch of
industry that brings returns to those
engaged in it, employment for labor and
consumption Of raw and manufactured
material, it has an added Importance
and becomes matter Of national con-
cern from the standpoint of national de-
Tense
Any plan OF policy that may be de.
vised for building up American ship
ping will meet with serious opposition
from tho shipowning nations Of the
world. Even among our own people v,,-
position will be developed. But we
must not be deferred from the perform.
ance Of plain duty because of Difficult.
ties and opposition at home and abroad.
Difficulties lie id the pathway of prog.
ress. No great thing comes to nation,
a community or an individual without
effort and difficulties to be met and
overcome.
; The United States has common in
;terest in the oceans and seas OF the
world and should share in the fruits
and benefits that arise from occupying
them with its vessels. Especially should
it have the largest share in carrying its
own foreign trade. Because Of the op-
position Of Great Britain and countries
which control the shipping OF tho world
and enjoy What we once had and lost
we must not surrender our rights on tho
seas and fail to reach out and take again
what naturally belongs to us.
To restore our lost shipping and place
the United States where it belongs In
the carrying trade Of tho world will in
volve great contest, chiefly with Eng.
land. not Of arms, but as friendly rivals
for commercial supremacy. Great Brit
ain will resist every step in the direc'
zion Of restoring American shipping.
She would not be true TO her people, her
commercial instincts, traditions and in
tcrests were she not to make every effort
In her power to maintain her supremacy
on the seas What agriculture is to the
United States shipping is to England.
and England will use all her endeavors,
through wise statesmanship and di-
plomacy, to protect the same. Against
this there can DO no reasonable objection
on our part.
Il In the province Of English states
manship 70 maintain the commercial
supremacy Of Great Britain ON the seas.
It is manifest destiny that the United