The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1910-03-12

shruuk from 2i96Sgl tons in 1861 to 9O06S tons in
1905 *hrnkare of l55G.S26 tons Of American foreign
shipping i3 years
No American steamship line connects us with South
America, beyond Venezuela and Panama Not a single
American steamship goes to Brazil, Argentina, Chilli
Peru
The most convenient means Of travelling from any OF
the great Atlantic ports of the United States to South
America Is by way Of Europe. involving two voyages
across the Atlantic ocean That too is the regular
aud sometimes the quickest for mail between the
United States and South Amorca-our greatest natural
market which defend from foreign spoation accord
ing TO the Monroe doctrine. There is absolutely no
American mail service south OF the Caribbean sea
Two years ago the Oceanic Steamship Comuguv of San
Francisco withdrew It's steamers carrying the American
mails to Australasia. Even with the mail subsidy Of
$l6,t'9 voyage paid by the United States it could not
compete with German subsidies of $4lGo4 VOYAGE
French subsidies of $I1 si voyage Japanese subsidies
OF $2l'I' voyage and British subsidies Of $2&ol7
voyage
In three years tie number Of American steamships
resuary crossing the Pacific has shrun from nrocn to
six
Alas for our rcnown as maritime nation and for
tile past prestige Of our flag In the commerce of even
The most distant countries Where is the American
merchant fleet that once mastered every oathe nurs
cry and background of naval power
II is almost gone No more American vessels are
being built for the foreign trade and ships wear out
aud die few under present conditions viii see
The American flag disappear from International com
merce
Our hearts beat high when we think Of o,r ooh,e
array OF battleshps We cheer the mighty Utah IS
launched We watch with growing thrll of pride the
digging OF the Panama canal We are a great nation
nov" We sit in the world council Of great powers
We are the protector OF the American republics We
saved the Chinese empire from destruction We brought
peace to Japan and Russia Our foreign trade has ex
panded TO three and third billions dollars annually
But In 1920 50 years ago % per cent of our com
meree with other countries carried on by American
ships and to-day only 10 per cent. our imports and
exports is borne under the American flag More than
63 cent of British foreign trade is carried in british
ships
We have spent hundreds Of millions Of dollars 70
build great navy. We have added an emplre 10 opr
national territory and hosted our flag In the pbiinninos
ia""l' loIlo NIo ana the Panama canal zone Yet
ninetenths of all foreign commorcc is under foroign
flags ana II is estimated that American SINNERS nav
$2o0o0O0OO annually in freight rates ana fares 10
our rivals in American trade
Not new American ship being built for that. tralo
the remaining few rapidly wearing ont and our nos
being hauled down some OF these.
But beyond the dwindliug of the American shin build
ing trades; beyond the surrender 5000 GOO 600 IN
freight charges foreign rivals; beyond even nm
honest and Wholesome pride in flag ut sea- beyond
me moruEinE lack of an ocean mail service possessed
ny o'ueF nations there are consequences
TO the disappearance the American shin from nt,r
national trade ~
We send forth to show both the civilized
and uhelNuzed world the immensely of our armed power
Ihat meet is po"eriess without Yet all but 10 per
cent OF we coa sent to keep bateships alive is
carried in foreign merchant ships
il Is matter ot record that small army Drnviaa
by the Ihteu states for the last Intervention in Cuba
was taken there IN foreign ships foreign flags
Even American war material sent receot', :, .h,
Philippines carried Japanese shirs 3D. 49,,
Japanese flag; and that, while there VAS ,,i,,,
newspaper talk OF possible war between M Itnt,i
States and Japan
external commerce the protection naval force is