Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1905-10-19


Britain and Germany combined by
more than three thousand millions ev-
ery twelve months. We transport this
matchless product of farm and factory
forest and mine, from the interior to
the sea at one third what similar ser
vice cost anywhere else beneath the
skies. We carry it from point to point
along the coast in better vessels, on
quicker time, and at cheaper rates than
others. But at out coast line we are
brought to an abrupt halt. Here we
are no longer independent. Our for
eign commerce is four times as large as
forty years ago, but we carry In our
own ships only one third as many gross
tons as forty years ago. We have pro-
tected and encouraged every interest
but our merchant marine, and every
protected interest has fourished. We
have every facility for international
commerce except every international
merchants, international bankers, and
an international merchant marine.
Shall we net have these? l am not ur-
ging ship subsidies. l am speaking OF
results not methods. If we will but
take advantage of our opportunities we
will send these products of farm and
factory under every sky and into every
port, and make our financial centers
the clearing houses of at least a frac-
ton of the worlds trade.
There is a strong probability that a
shop subsidy bill or its equivalent will
be urged in the Presidents message
and passed by The coming Congress.
There are other than commercial rea-
sons for urging such measure. We
are finding it more and more difficult
to man our great and increasing Navy
with effective seamen. The personnel
of the German and British and possibly
of other navies is superior to ours. On
" recently a German paper has written
with contemptuous disparagement OF
our sailors. saying that they were IN
trained and unfit and devoid of patio
tism. Germany and England recruit
their navies from their merchant and
passenger ships. We cannot hope to
be equal to Japan and Germany, to say
nothing OF Great Britain on the sea I'M
less we have equally good men behind
the guns. 1t is true that we very re-
Gently demonstrated our superiority in
naval warfare over a long decadenl
people, but those familiar with the
splendid equipment and personnel o.
up-to. date navies have reason to be
anxious about our insuf1iciently mann
ed ships. Secretary Taft has consent
ed to be interviewed on the subj ct Of
the German attack on the United States
Army, He attributes the statement
of the German paper to the extreme
pre- udice and hostility against an Or
ganization concerning which the de-
tractor has no knowledge" He says
further, "ln all respects, man for mar
our army will challenge comparison
with any army in the world" But. he
admits that "the army has not had the
educational benefit of extensive maneu-
vers that large European armies have
and perhaps there would be less ezper
fence on the part Of our officers in com
handing great armies in the field than
there would be among European com
manders." He attributes the grea,
number of assertions in the army to the
fact that ours is voluntary orgsniza-
lion whereas in Europe, except In Eng
land the whole populace is conscripted
into the service, and that further while
it costs the Government more percapi-
ia to maintain the United States army
than any other in the world that the
opportunities and attractions offered
men to make living are so much
greater in our country than any othel
that deserticns are sure to follow. The
subject has elected much interest and
may result in some interesting changes
in the management of our military and
naval establishments.