The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-10-06

In his last great speech at Buffalo Pres
ident Mckinley dwelt upon several lines
OF policy which he declared the Nation
should purs e. ia the future, and one or
these was 49, development Of our mer-
chant marine. and President Roosevelt.
since his accession to office, has affirmed
his adherence to the same view. The pol
Icy thus declared refers particularly 20
ships on the ocean engaged in foreign
trade.
American shipping, in this sense, is a
national institution. or. as affirmed by our
Supreme Court, "a national service" The
American ship not only carries the coun-
try's dag. but, for the time being and to
the extent OF its deck, actually extends
national territory up TO the Jurisdiction Of
the foreign nation in whose harbor It an
chOrs. Exports, such as corn, cattle, steel
beams. sewing machines and bicycles,
forthwith become merged into the things
of the foreign country into which they are
sent. outside OF American books-encour-
aged by national and international copy
right recall no thing. except the Amer
lean ship, which takes with it to foreign
territory it's American nationality and
keeps 1t. II IS both narrow and incorrect,
therefore. 10 put any project to develop
I'LL I'LL AAEDAA6 "a AZ IaAAC RAAAO 80
a bill TO establish the tin-plate industry,
or TO promote the importation Of cheaper
wooden clothing, or to encourage the ex-
portation of dairy products. All of these
will concern special industries, and only
indirectly and remotely affect the general
growth. The development of shipping is
primarily national. Even in secondary re-
suits it reaches directly many more forms
Of human aoffvffv-af vUhfch GhfphuiIdinR
is but one-than any other industry now
recalled.
The influence Of Great Britain in shaping
the worlds history and growth-an infu-
ence entirely out of proportion to her pop
ulation and natural resouroes-has radi-
ated through her merchant shipping.
Through it the English language and
AngIo-Saxon ideals and methods have per-
vaded the world. We nave only lately
come to the last chapter in the history of
an earlier dominion over the world which
Spain held by virtue of her navigators and
her ships. ''Our future lies on the sea-
the w~atchword Of the Kaiser, tersely ex-
presses the Iaudable ambition of Germany
to attain leadership among nations. 1t IS
not an unworthy ambition to aspire to be
the most powerful nation in the world, the
most peTvasive influence in shaping man
kinds future. IL is a proper ambition for
Americans TO entertain at the beginning
Of the twentieth century.
A BENEFICIAL FORCE.
If. as we believe. our national ideals and
purposes are pure and elevated, the ex-
tension OF American shipping Will carry
with II not merely an increase Of trade
and an increase Of wealth, but also an ex-
pansion OF forces working for the general
welfare of the world. Like other nations,
we are now sending our warships TO for
eign ports Ito show the flag" The pro-
priety OF this course does not admit OF
question. The flag above the muzzles OF
steel guns, however, cannot, consistently
with our purposes or our industrial rank,
continue TO be the only display of Amer
lean colors in foreign ports. Even army
transports and navy Golfers, peaceful in
their way, will hardly suffice as our per-
mahent representation on the sea.
What may be termed our industrial indie
pendence happens 10 have been attained
almost simultaneously with the acquisition
OF Hawaii, Porto Rico and the Philippines,
and our inevitable appearance in the COM
mercial politics OF Asia. The opportunity
10 become a maritime commercial power
and the necessity for becoming such have
arrived together. There is now no real
question as to the need for American ships
IN the minds OF the leaders in practical
affairs in this country. That need is dis
puted accidentally by some on whom ira
ditioual theories have so strong a hold
that they have not as yet adjusted them
selves 20 the principles which must gov
ern the Nations course during this GEN.
fury. A relatively small but influential
number find It obvious to self-interest tC
ispute such need. Each class may have
lone something TO confuse the issue and
retard action thus far, but together viii
scarcely be able long TO keep the United
States in It's painfully absurd position or
the sea
POLITICAL NECESSITIES.
1t is a political necessity for the United
States to- carry all its mails to northern
Europe, Asia and Australia by American
mail steamers. precisely as all the mails
of England, Germany and France TO the
United States, Asia and Australia are car.
rieG by the mail steamers of each nation
respectively. 1t is a political necessity fol
the United States TO carry its mails tC
South America by American mail steam
ers, precisely as the mails OF England
Germany and France are carried TO Africa
by the mail steamers OF each nation, re-
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.