New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-01-24
MERCHANT FLEETS VALUE
Marine Congress Hears OF Its
Use in Time of War.
ADDS TO JAPAN'S STRENGTH
Her Mercantile Vessels Could
Transport 100000 Troops
Against 1000 of U. s.

Washington. Jan. 23.-Japan's auxiliary
naval strengt through its merchant ma
rine and the advantage which that country
might have In a war with the United
states and the extension OF sales abroad
as necessary to keep the American iacto'!
running full time were cited IN addresses
et the National Merchant Marine Congress
to-day as reasons for the immediate eS-
tablshment NJ merchant marine.
REPRESENTATIVE W. +. Humphrey, o.
Washington. declared that While war WIN
Japan was not now anticipated INC
United States was much nearer war over
the snti-Iapanese crusade In California
than most people had realized. comparing
the nrenaredness OF the two countries FOR
war he added that whereas Japan could
transport two hundred thousand troops ~
one time by employing it's merchant fnaii"''
the United states could move onl Taooul
ten thousand, and that while Japan nan
fifty merchant vessels I'm course Of 'oh-
struction tho United states had none.
John Kirby. ir.. president Of the National
Association of Manufa cturers, under whose
auspices the Merchant Marine congress
was convened, presided Instead OF ex-Gov-
ernor Myron I. Herrtck OF Ohio, who was
70 have been permanent chairman. MI
Herrick sent a message 70 the convention
expressing hope for the ultimate creation
OF the merchant marine.
Mr.. Kirby, in opening the convention, as
serted that important manufacturing cor
porations had written to him recently tna'
they must seek new markets abroad, ana
looked 10 the South American countries toT
trade expansion he characterized as one
Of tho melancholy and surprising phases
Of the merchant marine campaign the fact
that President Taft's plea for legislation
on this subject had been ignored
Restoration of the American merchant
marine was characterized az "a patriotic
duty" and mot a political e1pedient.' by
Representative Richmond r. Hobson, OF
Alabama 'Jt 81 true that bitter an
tagonisms have been aroused In the past,
he said. but believe that, preached IN
the proper spirit Of Cancellation. both par
ties can even yet get together before the
end of the present Congress and enact Tho
LEGISLATION necessary TO accomplish this
object.
In addition 10 high class vessels for
auxiliary naval purposes, our merchant
marine must have large tonnage OF cargo
carriers. In the present state Of interna'
tional competition II practically VIII be
necessary to induce or drive cargo into
American bottoms"
William s. Greene. chairman OF the com
mittee on merchant marine and fisheries
said in part:
Our great country OF over ninety mill
ions of the most vigorous human being!
on earth. has but eleven vessels engaged
in its foreign oceangoing trade. With hall
our population England has more thar
I 600 vessels. while Germany has oyel
| 1000 and Japan nearly 1000 II is also a
! derlorable fact that owing TO the lack OF
operating ships we handle practlcaIiy none
Of our enormous oversee trade. We no"
carry less than 8 per cent OF our own for
eign commerce. In 1861 we carried 50 per
| cent and in 1895 over go per. cent;
For the six years following the second
act Of Congress-. July 4, 1889, when first
discrimination was made In favor of Amer
lean vessels and trade, our foreign ship
ping gradually grew until from carrying
| only 10 per cent OF our commerce. 1t car
ried over 90 per cent. Even though nearly
! 40 per cent of that trade was lost by the
war with England. 1Sl2-'15. owing TO gov
eminent encouragement and continued ais
elimination In duties and tonnage dues IN
favor Of our mercantile fleet, quick re-
covery was made after the war From
! that time our country carried nearly al
Of her foreign trade until about 1850. wher
| England increased the subsidies IN favor
| Of her own vessels and reciprocal treaties
were made by us with foreign nations.
] believe the Gallnger bill IS properly
drawn and amply safeguarded; that IL is q
measure which, II enacted into law, will b'
] found 10 be productive OF the result which
| for years we have been aiming 10 accom-
| plish-namely, the upbuiding OF our mer
chant marine the extension OF our trade
| and the increase Of our mail facilities.