Los Angeles herald., 1907-12-22
SUBSIDY
FOR SHIPS
DEMANDED
MERCHANT MARINE LEAGUE
ENTHUSES
At Meeting In Cleveland Prominent
Public Officials Tell Needs and
What May Be Expected
of Congress
BY Associated Press.

CLEVELAND, o., Dec. H.-For the pur-
pose of arousng enthusiasm and bringing
every possible pressure to bear upon con-
gress in the interest Of ship subsidy, the
friends If government merchant marine
gathered here today on the occasion OF a
meeting Of the Merchant Marine league.
Speeches were delivered by prominent
senators and congressman. Nearly every
state and large business interest in the
country, especially marine interests. were
represented. 1t is believed that the OBJ
tanning of the pending mail subsidy would
establish the general subsidy principle
which eventually will result In the gov
ernment giving support to marine in
terests.
Former Governor Herrick presided and
Truman H Newberry assistant secretary
of the navy, spoke in favor of subsidies.
Referring to report of Admiral Dewey
in 1905, that on the ba3is of strength of
twenty-five battleships the navy would
require from the merchant marine in
serious war approximately 100 vessels and
many tugs, Mr.. Newberry pointed out
that the vessels, especially of the larger
size, do not exist in sufficient numbers in
the American merchant marine.
Needed Now
The present cruise of the battleship
fleet, the speaker said, is giving sharp
and unwelcome proof of this point, All
of the coal required by the fleet except
small portion conveyed by regular navy
colliers had to be entrusted to foreign
tramp" steamers, because there were
not enough American steamships avail
able, even though President Roosevelt Of
fered to pay American ships rate of so
per cent higher than that given to for
eign vessels.
Never" said Mr. Newberry, has the
need of an American merchant marine
been so acute.
'tJust as In the nascent period of our
government, tho relation between the
navy and the merchant marine should be
onA of interest, reliance and co-opera-
tion."
Lewis Nixon of New York declared that
what is needed is that the government
make it possible for such shipyards to
become active agitation. Said he:
Have we got to stand forever and let
partisan politics play it's game? Have we
no American patriotism? What are the
causes of the present financial condition?
The constant drain of gold from the coun-
try is drawn by the foreign ship owners
This subsidy we are asking for the benefit
of every persons in the United States.
"Do you know that we pay for ships
3O0000,0OO a year, half the value of our
wheat crop, for carrying our exports
abroad?"
On the Pacific
w Humphrey of Seattle, in an address
upon why America Is Losing Its Pacific
and Oriental Trade enthused the audi
tors to frequent applause. He explained
what congress was doing regarding sub
sidy ana what 1T is to do. He devoted
most of his time to the condition upon the
Pacific coast. He said there were now
only eight American merchantmen upon
the Pacific ocean. whereas year ago
there were about fifteen, and in the near
future all will pass from the Pacific un-
less something is done by the government
I'VE have wasted our opportunities, he
said land have wasted our time in talk
ing about trade following the flag. Japan
has taught us valuable lesson. From
practically every standpoint Japan's great
victory over Russia in the late war was
due to ship subsidy. japan is gaining
the mastery of the Pacific. do not be-
lieve there will be war with Japan, and
will do all In my power to prevent 1t, but
if it should come want my country to
be prepared.
For Merchant Marine
I'VE are willing to subsidize our rivers
and harbors and our railways. but not
our merchant marine upon the high seas
1 do not believe the people of this coun-
try are content to spend s100,0O0000 year
in the building of a great navy without
providing for airy auxiliary fleet What
will 1t avail us to have scores Of vessels
If we cannot maintain them.
1--WE must have this auxiliary feet of
merchantmen to not only draw our sailors
from in time of need but to attend our
big fighting vessels. We can not borrow
vessels from other nations In time of
war. The best measures of peace is al
ways to be ready for war.
"It Is my hope that when the great
Panama canal is completed the first ves-
.,el to pass through will be national
ship built in our own shipyards and bear
tie name of NJ. A. Hanna. and would
like to see Theodore Roosevelt standing
on the deck under the Stars and Stripes
when the boat makes the trip through
the canal which will unite our two
oceans"