New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-10-22
WHY Not OCEAN LINERSf

All American citizens worthy Of the name, we
may confidently assume. feel deep satisfaction
and much pride IN the successful defence OF the
America = Cup. They are glad not so much that
Sir Thomas Lipton-most chivalrous Of compeu-
tors--and his Scotch planned. English built and
irish named yacht were beaten as that the
American yachtsmen and the American yacht
were triumphant. More than that even. Their
chief rejoicing. in their most thoughtful mo-
ments is not so much that American superiority
has been demonstrated in one of the most de-
lightful, il also most exclusive of sports ms that
Il has also been demonstrat ted IN those qualities
OF hand and bro in that make for supremacy as
well In the practical businesses and Industries
~ the worlds working days They rejoice in
the Columbia not merely because she IS the
swftest racing machine ahoat. hut because sic
is ap indication Of what American naval archi-
tccts can do. and Of what American shpbuldcrs
can do and of what American shippers and
sailors can do.
The gst Of the whole matter will. however. be
lost Il men fail to apply the lesson in It's fuller
and obvious extent. Why moi devote some OF
that same ability 10 achieving supremacy In
other directions? Or rather. to restoring the
supremacy we once enjoyed? For before the
old America won In pleasure sailing the prlmacy
the new Columbia has well maintained the
merchant ships of the United States had won
the prinacy OF the world for speed and stanch-
ness In that class The America was modelled
after the clipper not tho clipper after the Amer
lea Our Yachting achievements are outgrowths
Of our mercantile navigation. not the reverse
Is il wise or is II creditable 10 the Nation 10 let
the branch outgrow the trunk or the trunk he
shrivelled until II is smaller and more puny than
the branch? In brief. If we can build the hest
yachts in the world-nnd if can build the
best cruisers and battleships. too-why can we
not build the best ocean liners? If we can build
Columbus and Iowas why not Oceanics?
II will not do to say do not want them.
That would be 10 oppose the common sense or
the world or the other four great industrial
and commercial nations Of the world three find
one of their chief sources OF pride in their vast
ocean going merchant fleets. and the fourth Ia
ments with bitterness that hers Is not their
equal We are to-day having striking illustra-
tion Of the value Of such a marine to nation In
an emergency-an emergency that Is to be
Stunned rather than sought. 1t Is true, but that
must nevertheless always be reckoned among
the possibilities Great Britain Is at this mo-
ment hurrying troops to South Africa at the rate
and without the least disturbance OF her ordi-
nary merchant service How much would II tax
our fleets TO do the same? Neither Is 1t 10 be
coptended that Il does not pay. NO rational
man supposes that the great merchant fleets or
Great Britain. Germany and Japan are profit
legs or that the Oceanic has been constructed 10
be run at loss out Of pure philanthropy.
No: this country and especially this city or
New-York ought TO produce first class ocean
steamships for freight and passenger traffic JUST
a. well a. first class yachts and first class battle
ships 1t did 30 once. II could do so again ana
find profit In 30 doing But II It IL ever 10 do so
II Will be by the same ways and means thar
we're efficient here Of old and that have been
efficient in the development OF the mercantile
marines Of other countries, the same that have
enabled this country TO attain supremacy Ill
bridge building and railroad building and the
| manufacture Of engines and machinery the
world over What irony there is IN our being
able ia furnish bridges for Egypt and railroad
rails for India ond locomotives for England and
for Russia and not able TO provide the ships IN
which TO carry such merchandise to It's destina-
ton. The protection and the encouragement
that have given 70 Great Britain and Germany
their mercantile marines would give an equal
one TO the United States. Is II conceivable that
we shall go on much longer without learning
| that lesson?