The Washington herald., 1910-05-17
Need for American Vessels I'm Times
of Peace and In Times of War Ex-
pIained-BattIe Ships Helpless
Away from Home Unless Accom-
panied by Transports and Golfers.


nation less than a year ago OF the
Musical Industry Merchant Marine
League at the Boston meeting J. A.
Coffin, president OF the league, made a
most eloquent speech. in which he clearly
outlined the benefits TO be derived from
/ an extension and enlargement OF our
merchant service; his statements resulted
In the adoption OF the following resolu-
tions:
Resolved. That We. the executive committee Of
the National Association Of Piano Dealers Of
America urge the passage by Congress Of the meas
ure nov pending known the Humphrey mail oil.
1 which would do much 20 bring about a national
development Of our merchant navy; and be II fur
ther
Resolved That it be the purpose and intent q
the individual members Of this committee 20 assist
in every way possible 20 the end that the bin should
become law. believing that us passage would he
Of great benefit 10 the people Of the United States
This subject, gentlemen, IS, in our
! judgment, the most vital that confronts
the people of the United States to-day.
and we shall ask that the resolution COM
mittee, at the proper time, frame a SINH
lar resolution. which the assembly will
! bt dShtA ~ dAbll uAdll-lleuSlA-
Dependent on Others.
Time IS too limited to go into lengthy
! explanation OF the absolute dependence
OF the United States at this time on
foreign ships for transporting our mails
/ and our commerce.
Mr.. John Barrett, director Of the In
/ ternationaI Bureau OF American Repub-
| lies. was slated 10 address Us at our
/ banquet on the subject, America s
/ greatest opportunity
( Unfortunately Mr.. Barrett. owing to the
J Illness OF his mother. Will not be able 10
/ join us-a matter OF deep regret-for
! do not believe that there is "A man IN
this country to-day better posted on the
/ subject or trade relations with South
America or the possibilities Of trade de-
velopment with our sister republics Of
the South than ne. The parsimonious
policy that has been pursued by Congress
toward proper encouragement and recog-
milton Of our needs in connection with
our shipping and naval interests is in
my judgment criminal Millions upon mil
lions are appropriated annually for build
ing battle ships and maintaining them.
but little or nothing IS forthcoming for
the purpose OF purchasing colliers and
transports OF suhSidizlng merchant yes
sells that would fly the American flag.
that would be manned by American sail
ors; that would carry our commerce into
the markets OF the world. and in case
Of war would Immediately become aux
HAIRY to our navy.
Situation Appalling.
when YOU stop 20 consider this matter
seriously. the situation Is truly appalling,
DO you know when our great S200.000. 900
battle ship fleet encirclcd the globe II
had to depend almost entirely upon for
eign bottoms TO supply it with that com
modify on which depends its very ex-
istence-coal. believe there was only one
transport, or collier. sailing under our
flag.
Suppose war had been declared while
this feet was thousands upon thousands
OF miles away from home. would II not.
because Of the lack Of such Golfers and
transports. have been at the mercy of the
enemy?
You ali know that the laws Of neu-
trality would have prevented US from en-
gaEing the services Of any Colliers or
ships sailing under the flag Of a foreign
nation,
do you realize that Japan has to-day
In the neighborhood OF 500 available ships
on the Pacific Coast, and more on the
way, against not over eight or ten Of
ours?
DO you know that but one steamship
1fua
leaves New York. the atlantic seaboard.
proceeding TO Porto Rico. then into the
Caribbean Sea, and thence to Venezuela.
the only South American port which it
touches? That the Pacific Mail steam
ship Line operates a small service to
Panama?
No Direct Lines.
Let it be firmly fixed in your mind
that We cannot develop our markets. we
cannot extend our commerce. and we
cannot compete with other nations Of the
world-no. not even get fair percentage
of trade proportionate to our size and
productiveness-as long as all freight and
mail for the other South American coun-
tries must first proceed to England or
perhaps TO the continent. and then be
brought back over the Atlantic, to be
taken to its destination in the far South
Few people have any idea Of the enor-
nous size Of the South American repub-
lies. of the tremendous wealth that is To-
Gated there and Of the vast opportunities
that present themselves for the extern
sion of our commerce But we must
have ships
In some quarters the cry has been.
develop commerce and YOU will get the
ships. I ask in return. has this been
the history Of the railroads? Has this
been the history Of the development OF
our great West?
Gentlemen, as progressive American
citizens. YOU cannot afford to side track
this issue or even treat II lightly. IN
fortunately. come from a section Of the
country where we have no vote; where
we have no Congressman; where we have
no voice in the nations affairs; but, see
ing the situation as do. and having had
ample opportunity To discuss ii with men
prominent I'm the councils of their country
I appeal to you TO get behind your Senators
and congressman and urge the early
passage OF a bin that will at least give
US a start in again rehabilitating and re-
establishing that great prestige which we
once enjoyed on the high seas and which
VIII put us in such a position that we
need at no time be afraid.
Public Not Informed.
II have often thought that had l the
means. I would leave my business, study
this subject in minute detail, and then
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