The San Francisco call., 1904-06-08
GERMAN SHIP SUBSIDIES.

IT HE report received by the Department of Com
and Labor from United States Consul War
at Leipsic, Germany in relation to the German
merchant marine, furnishes example OF what coun-
try do in developing her trade, although badly
handicapped by natural conditions. He says:
Germany, OF all world powers, with the exception of
Russia and Austria, is the with the poorest natural
means OF communicating by with the outside world
However, spite of this fact she holds to-day env
able position in the worlds carrying trade She is ad
vancing the science of traffic upon the high under
difficulties OF no small proportions, faster and more
effectively than any other power. The Germans con-
slider that the factor in developing countys
foreign trade is perhaps the merchant marine that
is just necessary foster foreign trade
courage home industries
The report further shows the uphill fight Germany
has had make to maintain her position in the
carrying trade yet, how in the face of it all she has
steadily forged ahead Until years she has
had pay toll Denmark enable her vessels to reach
their front the Baltic One of the
given in the report for her is because of the
great development of the United States" Thus the
anomaly is presented of Germanys merchant marine
growing because of the evolution of industries, while
with that evolution merchant marine has de-
terorated
Probably the greatest factor in Germanys is
the economical and political considerations at present
existing between her states which has made concentra
energy trade has been shown and foreign
merce has been encouraged by the granting of export
premiums sand subventons to steamship lines 1t is only
within the last twenty years that she has fostered her
shipping really scientific lines. She now pays over
million dollars annually in subsidies and has agree
ments providing service China, Japan Australia and
the.more important ports with the North German Lloyd
and the Hamburg American lines Among her contracts
is with the German East Africa line for steamer
sailing around the African continent Another is with
the Jalu Company visit certain of the islands of the
Pacific for consideration of $2856o annually; and an
other with the Woerman line between Cape Town and
Swakopmund The ships in the of Germany must
be built in her shipyards of STEEL with stated minimum
speed and carry troops and supplies under certain
conditions.
In the report stated Germany teaches the United States
lesson. If other countries foster ocean lines by
subsidy we can. At time when railroads needed
to develop the natural resources of this country the
Government prodiga with its favors of money and
land. Railroad building through that impetus now un-
aided keeps pace with needs land while water
trade is at standstill We have sweep of
coast with harbors adapted to the boat building
industry and, generally speaking, all necessary timber
within easy reach, with production of over one-third
of the worlds output of pig iron and steel build boats
In spite of these facts shpbuildng dormant and
other countries building boats in which to carry away
enormously increasing exports.
great factor in the question is the advantage in time
of country has which possesses merchant marine
We keep navy sufficient for needs for fighting ma
chimes, but not for transport 1t in the nature of
things unnecessary to keep in commission ships
sufficient for carrying troops in event of war. With
proper complement of ships flying the American Aag we
could readily turn to them in of need
With ships built in foreign yards at lower cost for
labor and material manned by cheaper labor and sub
sidzed there is inducemen encouragement for the
investment of American capital in that industry and un
less something is done by Congress there can be no
hope for the present condition in which our merchant
marine finds itself.