New-York tribune., 1901-03-18
PLEA FOR THE SHIPPING BILL.
URGENT NEED OF \ COMMERCIAL MARINE
POINTED OUT.
To the Editor Of The Tribune.

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: So much has been said about the Shipping
bill being the community that 1 venture
TO make few remarks the subject. We
constantly trying TO expand trade. but how
hope to do with countries with which
have direct communication by steamship
lines? Take sister republics Of South America.
Any person from there wishing inspect buy
goods would have TO come by way OF England
would all the letters. and IL does take a
very intelligent mind to understand that he would
be induced TO make his purchases in England.
People will go the way the best routes Of travel
established and commerce always follows in
the wake Of travel.
With the extension Of our possessions larger
fields have been opened and have be guarded.
and a larger navy Is required commercial
nation IS safe without il; this entails larger
farinS force. and unless We have a commercial
marine schooling our young men in
seafaring life, as our German and English rivals
are TO the fullest extent We never know wher'
war will come. Remember the affair Of the Tren:
when We had To eat humble pie. and the close ap-
preach to trouble In the Venezuelan boundary
question few years ago There three nations
now in the field great rivals in traGe-Cie-mauy
England and the United States. Both Germany
and England res;ive under our rapid en-
croachments upon their trade Germany is
ious to extend her colonies What II she takes a
slice Of South America? The Monroe Doctrine
you say. Bother your Monroe Doctrine says
she. Il want TO establish colonies and l propose
We get transports and vessels for auxiliary cruis-
ers TO transport troops ard supplies
The small and insignificant with Spain taxed
our efforts To the utmost. and had 10 hurry
and buy vessels from abroad. Suppose war was
declared between England and Germany where
would our be- No other nations have
ships enough 10 carry products. IS law o.
nat4Cns II IL supposed thzt goods not contra nd
ci war are not liable 10 setzuTe. That Is all
Wei, hut the shtEg are. and they Will be carried
tc foreign port and the gOcda unoaded and
d cargo OF w.ear or cotton 10 Liverpool: the ves-
sci, being English. IS captured by a German man
or-war anc taken TO kieL There the cargo Is un-
loaded and stored. How would you get II to Liver
pool and where would be the profit?
Our able Senators from the West are opposed 10
granting a bounty 10 our shipping. alleging that
II encourages a monopoly True. IL Is Il monopoly
IN which seyeuty-tive millions Of people are most
rageous bounties granted Western railroads Of
miles and miles Of land. each side track
land which has paid IN I'm than the cost OF
building the roads. That to their minds IS not a
subsidy or bounty.
Unless establish a commercial marine and
teach our young men seafarinG life and train
a h"dy or sailors foreign will simply laugh
al us. no matter whether We have few big ships
or not lteInfWher, II Is the behind the gun.
on sea or on land, who wins the battles OF today
number or able hOdied seamen 10 the vessels
IT we want 10 push trade successfully with for
eigH nations We must establish commercial inter-
course by cH.tenienJ routes Of travel by steam
TO in comparison with the increased trade brought
20 tire country at large by proper communication
with South America. India and China? What In
aeed compared with the S5o00o0O paid annually
10 foreign shipping? Not drop in the bucket
COMMERCIAL MARINE.
divers Mills, Penn. Feb 25. 1901.