New-York tribune., 1907-01-25
OCEAN MAIL sUBTEYTIoNs.


President Roosevet's message 10 Congress
urging the passage Of an ocean mail subTell-
ton bill should find a quick response in legis-
latiOn. The House Committee on the Mer-
chant Marine and Fisheries has recently re
ported a measure passed year ago by tie
Senate. which in its amended form fully meets
the objections hitherto raised TO tonnage and
other wholesale subsidies, and limits federal
aid to steamship lines which are TO put us III
closer touch with parts Of the world in when
we have vital political and commercial In
terest. Even those who think that the time is
not yet ripe for arti1cially rehabilitating our
whole merchant marine and entering into com
petition with other nations for the worlds rap
IDLY increasing ocean carrying trade can With
out Inconsistency support n bill which aims
only az extending American influence in GER
tain regions in which we have accepted pc
culiar responsibilities and have acknowl-
edged mission. II we are TO maintain aud live
up TO the Monroe Doctrine we must cultivate
closer relations with the republics TO the south
OF us But trade is the best promoter of inter
national friendships. and. as the ocean is the
only path which trade with Central America
and South America can follow. we must use
that path and not let ourselves be crowded OF
II by European rivals. We must keep the lines
of communication open even II we have to do
as other nations do and spend a few million
dollars q year TO encourage our ship builders
and ship owners. Ii Is equally important To
strengthen our means of communication with
the Philippines. Japan. China and Australia.
and Representatives and Senators can easily
justify the extension Of government aid to spe-
cial enterprises which directly foster national
purposes even II thoy still halk at the idea Of
universal subsidies based miles travelled or
on tonnage carried
The proposed ocean mail bill also has the
merit OF strengthening the national defence
The thirty-six steamships which will be needed
in operating the new lines will all be built
under the supervision Of the Navy Department
and can be drafted into the naval service I'm
case Of war. They will provide an auxiliary
feet specially equipped and convertible on short
notice to military uses From their crews men
can also be drawn TO man the regular war
ships II so desired. for the proposed law re
qures that after certain period half the com
pIement OF each subsidized postal carrier shall
consist Of American citizens. The naval re
serve feature Of the Senate measure has been
altered TO the extent OF making enrolment en-
tIrely voluntary. thus removing the objection
urged by the seamens unions. that the obllga-
tory enrolment OF a certain proportion Of each
crew constituted an '1mpressment." Amy Off
GERS and men in the merchant marine. the fish
cries and the coastwise trade can. under the
terms Of the House BILL enlist In the naval
reserve and receive annual retainers ranging
from S24 TO S110. But no vessel is TO be com
PEELED 10 carry a definite quota Of men or Off
GERS 50 pledged 10 respond to the call OF the
government
As President Roosevelt justly says. IL we
to become a factor once more In the ocean
carrying trade we must face our rivals
their own ground. We must meet government
aid with government aid. There can lee no
question about the desirabity OF establishing
American steamship lines running 10 the east
and west coasts OF South America and TO East
ern Asia and Australia. Congress should not
hesitate, therefore. about furnishing the back
ing needed 10 launch such distinctly national
enterprises.