Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1906-11-13
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BRITISH FLAG OVER U. S. TRANS
PORT

The following telegram recently ap
peared in the public prints:
The novelty of a United States
transport flying the British flag to-
day attracted the attention of peo-
pie along the water front.
The steamer Jacob Bright arrived
here from Havana with the British
ensign flying from her after Flagstaff
and the colors of the United States
auartermaster's department hoisted
to her main truck.
It was such strange combination
of nautical interests that some of
the beachcombers along South
Brooklyn rubbed their eyes to make
sure that they were not deceived.
One of the best known admiralty
lawyers in the city said SIS it posi-
ble?" when ne saw the strange &C.
currence. Then the lawyer added:
"The idea of the United States
having transport flying a foreign
flag is against all law and order, not
to speak of the effect it may have
upon delicate patriotic nerves. It.
seems odd and it is odd"
An official of the quartermaster's
department offered this explanation
of the fact that the Bright few the
British flag: -
1--WE chartered the Bright because
we were in a hurry to get troop-
ships. The Bright has fulfilled her
mission and although she arrived
here consigned to the department
. she is to be discharged today"
Commenting on this incident mem.
Der of the Merchant Marine League of
Athes United States says:
What do you think of this? Does
Z It not smakefyour blood boil to think
that the United States govern
ment--our goyernmenti-is obliged
to charter the auxiliary war and
naval vessels of foreign govern
ments in order to transport pitt
!. fully small number of American
troops less than a hundred miles
from the United States? Do you
know that no other nation of any
standing or Importance would for
moment think of doing such thing?
Are you aware that, if we were at
war with foreign nation, we could
not thus charter foreign vessels for
auxiliary war and naval purposes
for any purposes? ...-.
Do you know that the navy de-
partment would need all of the sea-
going merchant vessels that this
country now possesses for auxiliary
naval needs, If we should engage in
war with another nation? Do you
know that, in addition, the war de-
partment has said that to move an
army to a distant point we should
have 228 merchant steamships, Of
1,374,0o0 gross registered tons, from
which to draw?
NY you hAo# Ludt the UQlL6C
States senate last winter passed a
bill that would remedy this vital
national defect? Do you know that
1t has not yet been passed by the
house of representatives? Do you
know that President Roosevelt has
said that this bill should be passed,
and that he will do all in his power
Il to have it passed?
Do you know that we are in grave
national peril, lacking a great,
strong, adequate, useful merchant
marine OF our own, available when
needed for auxiliary war and naval
purposes? Do you think we should
no longer delay remedying this
Z the only weak spot in our national
{ armor? II you. do think so, then
tell your congressman what you
think. Keep on telling him until he
ss does his part in the house of repre-
sentatives to remedy this dangerous
and intolerab1e condition. Do Il
now! Keep on doing It, until there
Is no longer need for doing 1t.
ssgssis ------------- IN ~
Even casual observers OF econom
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