The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-08-11
An Irresistible Argument.

demonstrated aDSoluteiy IN ADVANCE.
Generally we have 10 depend more or
less upon abstract arguments. But the
wisdom and necessity of encouraging
American commerce and building up
the American merchant marine By
proper Legislation is an exception. sta
tistics establish the fact as absolutely
as a proposition in geometry can be
proved.
The entire foreign trade OF the Unit
ed States in 1870 was. in round num-
bers. $500. oo0. 900: for the last fiscal year
II exceeded s2.2i4. 100000. The growth
in thirty years was nearly 200 per cent.
In exports alone the increase is over 60
per cent This immense expansion of
our foreign trade Is a consequence Of
the economic policies TO which we have
adhered ny protecting manufacturing
industrie. ve have seen them grow TO
sueh fs4neyfiars that they reach out
aftsFi snrits markets This growth.
vhsts So res-on OF II. is an indis-
pusssis #et
= A. least a proportional increase should
be manifest IN our carrying trade When
we send commodities abroad in these
enlarged quantities. we certainly should
do at least our share OF the added work
OF transporta tion. Do we? In 1870 the
tonnage of American vessels engaged
in the foreign trade was 1,44s.s4s. and
they carried 81 per cent OF all our ex-
was less than $40 600, and the percent
age OF our trade carried was Z. That Is
to say, while our foreign trade grew
to nearly three times Its original amount
in these thirty years. our merchant
ships engaged in carrying it fell OF
nearly one-haif. and their share OF the
business declined tremendously.
What is the explanation OF an excep
ton so startling to the general rule?
Why does every other American inter-
est prosper, and only this. whose pros
poets are brightest OF all. wane until 4
promises 10 become extinct? II It is
held that there Is some inherent rea-
son why the people OF the United States
cannot build and operate ships as sue
cessfuliy as they can do other things.
the answer Is found In the record OF
our coasting trade This Is reserved by
law for our own citizens II II protect
ed against foreign competition by the
exclusion OF all foreign vessels from
the coastwise business. In 1870 we had
2.s3s.247 tons OF shipping engaged in the
coasting trade; In 1900 we had 4160, 900.
There Is an increase In tonnage Of near
iy 100 per cent. during the same period
when our ships engaged In foreign bus
mess were passing out Of existence. The
conclusion Is as plain as II Is inevi-
table.
This one industry to which no as
sistance has been given has felt the full
stress Of that foreign competition
against which our other interests have
had protection. IT has succumbed to
the unequal hght with the merchant
ships of nations that give large subsi-
dies. II has not been able TO pay the
higher cost OF construction here, the
higher wages commanded by American
seamen, and II has resigned the unequal
battle. one result is that we alone have
no merchant marine worthy OF the
name. Another Is that we are paying
at least 5000, COZ. 900 annually in carrying
go to remunerate our own iabor and
capital.
Seldom can a case be so clearly estab-'
llshed. THIS Is one OF the exceptions
that does. indeed. prove the rule. One
great interest we have singled out and
excepted from the operation Of our pro
tectiye system. We have refused To
help Il: we have left il defenceiess to
the competition Of the world And the
effect Is written clearly In the story OF
its decline. The remedy is as plainly
suggested by the history OF our gen
erai Industrial progress and the sue
cess Of other nations In sustaining and
STIMULATING the growth Of merchant
marine The lesson Will not be lost
upon our people They demand that
this important but neglected industry
should have its share % national pro-
lection, should be built up by govern
ment assistance until We command as
proudly the business OF the seas as we
do the commercial empire Of the mnd.
IA Hung Chang Is nnding abundance
Of good reasons for keeping away from
Picking Al present. notwithstanding thu
imperial orders. The willy cid Diplomat
does not propose q share the fate ~
the r7r.1aeru.aagx-a r,,f-fass-., %. -, 49, 49,.