Los Angeles herald., 1908-01-05

to the United States, for the following
reasons: First. If the boats were not
less than 10000 tons burden, capable OF
making an average of 10 knots an
hour without forcing, with up-to-date
cabin accommodation, there would GER
tainly be steadily increasing travel
from Europe by this route, incidentally
leaving considerable sums Of money
in the United States; second, the trade
of the United States with Australasia,
now amounting to over $40.000,000 per
annum, would be conserved and in
creased. There are great possibilities
in future trade with these British COM
monwealths, considering their large
areas. abundant prosperity and in
creasing population; third, a great in
ternational route like this passing
through our most important Pacific
port would greatly aid the development
of our whole Pacific coast, and. fourth,
the United States would have the need
ed regular communication with its
possessions in the Samoan islands.
eff the United States wishes to Sc
cure the important advantages mem
toned it should act before a permanent
satisfactory service shall have been es-
tablished via Vancouver. New Zealand
is not getting the accommodation it
needs, for the Vancouver service Is
slow, does not touch at Auckland and
mail connections have to be made via
Fiji outward and Sydney inward. Since
the withdrawal of the Oceanic line
there have been many complaints from
the merchants of Auckland and other
parts of New Zealand Now that the
boats have been taken off 1t is realized
that more strenuous efforts should have
been made to retain the service. That
the merchants of Auckland are anxious
for a better mail service as soon as
possible was evidenced at a recent
meeting of the Auckland chamber of
commerce. A motion was carried that
the chairman be empowered, in the
name of the chamber, to make repre-
sensations to the government in the
direction of securing an improved
service
"a service such as has been de-
scribed, making it possible to make
the voyage from London to Auckland
in twenty-six days, and from San
Francisco to Auckland in sixteen days,
would have to be subsidized sufficient
ly to guarantee the owners from losing
money at the start. After few years
it might be necessary only to pay for
the actual cost of the transportation
of the mails"
The inhabitants of the Pacific coast
should congratulate themselves over
the fact that the war department has
recently exhibited some evidence of in
terest in the welfare of this important
section of the country. The operations
which probably will follow the inquiry
into the military needs of this coast
may direct sufficient attention to our
general affairs as to lead congress
ultimately to show enough interest in
our commerce with the orient and with
Australasia to take up the question of
ship subsidies.
1t is unbelievable that this country
intends so utterly to neglect the ship
ping of the Pacific as to give the
whole field to Japan or any other coun-
try. If our representatives In both
houses of congress earnestly desired to
perform a great service for the state
they would spend less time in wrang-
ling over the question of spoils IN the
postoffice department and more to
agitating the upbuilding of an i'm
portant industry that is fast going to
decay. Congress may be excused for
thinking so little of the commerce of
the Pacific when it sees Senator Per-
kins, Representative Knowland and
other members of the California dele ..
cation bending their energies in the
direction of strengthening the political
machine in this state rather than MAX
ing a fight for the salvation of Ameri-
can shipping on this ocean.