The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1902-05-08
NOINTERFERENCE
DEBATE IN THE BRITISH HOUSE
OF COMMONS
Regarding the Menace Of the Shipping Combine
To British Commercial Supremacy-Bal.
four Says the Ministry Will Not Take Any
Steps To Prevent Its Consumation-That
Would Interfere With Freedom Of Commerce

London, May 2.-An attempt was
madesin the house of commons to get the
government to pledge itself to prevent
the transfer of British steamships to
foreign financial agents, pending the re-
port of the committee recently appoint
| ed by the admiralty to inquire into the
subject. The government leader, A. j.
Balfour, pointed out that a suggestion
of such startling character could not be
carried out without the gravest consid-
Grafton. 1t simply amounted to pro-
posal that the government should pre-
vent a British subject from selling his
property to foreigner. No doubt the
matter referred to was very serious, but
such drastic action could not be under
taken lightly.
A few members having spoken of the
very great anxiety experienced through
out the country as q result OF the forma-
ton of a combination of such strength
and character as the American shipping
syndicate. A. j. Balfour expressed the
hope that the debate would be closed.
He quite appreciated the Importance OF
the subject, and the desire of the MEM
bers to discuss it, but no useful purpose
could be served by debate now. The
government had been privately informed
regarding the actions of private individ-
uals, and it was giving the matter anxious
consideration. If it disclosed this infor-
nation it would shut the door to further
conferences.
Position OF Government.
The government would be bound to
make such arrangements with regard to
the navy as the proposed changes might
necessitate, but regarding the effect OF
and what would be done to meet it, no
made, except after prolonged and anx-
ious consideration of the complicated
problem. Under the present arrange
ments the subsidized ships remain in the
service of the admiralty for another two
much blamable if in the interim it could
not either negotiate a continuance of the
existing arrangements or make others
equally serviceable to the admiralty and
the country. Meanwhile the government
did not propose on the spur of the mo-
ment to announce any departure from
the traditional policy of not interfering
with the freedom of commerce. The min
listers would be charlatans if they did
anything OF the kind. 1t was necessary
to most carefully and thoroughly sift the
whole matter, from commercial point
of view. 1t must be remembered that
this was not commercial enterprise en-
gineered by a foI eign and hostile govern
ment, but a trade combination. Those
who thought this combination so men,
aced the commerce of this country that
the government should interfere, were
admitting, whether they liked it or not,
that the doctrine of individual enterprise
had broken down.
Withdrawal Is Urged.
Justice Brice, Liberal, former president
of the boord of trade, advocated the
withdrawal of the motion, but urged the
government to make a prompt inquiry
into the subject. Other speakers held
that the arrangement was in no way un-
patriotic. 1t was an alliance. Steam
ship companies had simply made a rea-
sonable and business-like combination.
Sir James Woodhouse, Liberal, dis
claimed all antlpathy to or ill-feeling for
Americans, but, he asserted, British mar
thine and commercialinterestsw were men,
aced by the Americans, who had already
captured the British shoe and steel indus
tilCo, dIlO nC WdhUci tLc W
take action to stem the tide.
Press Not Reconciled.
The debate in the house of commons
and the explanations of Mr.. Balfour have
done nothing to reconcile the press 10 the
shipping combine. The morning papers
of all shades of political opinion continue
to attack the governments attitude, con-
trasting it with the more prudent meth
dds of Germany.