The Washington herald., 1911-01-24

I'VE arc to-day sending our mail. our
diplomatic correspondence. our ammuni-
ton and our guns to the Philippines.
our island possessions. in Japanese ves-
sels,'' said Representative w. +. Hum
phrey, of Washington, in an address yes
terday before the National Merchant Ma
rine Congress. held under auspices of the
National Association of Manufacturers at
the New Willard.
The first meeting was called to order
yesterday morning by John Kirby. jr.,
president Of the association. More than
800 delegates were present Addresses
were made by Representatives Hum
phrey and Richmond P. Hobson. Mr.. kir-
by. and William S. Greene, Of Massachu-
sets.
Representative Humphrey said that
upon land our country IL the envy o.
nations, but the shame of the world upon
the sea. He said our flag has practically
disappeared from the seas.
Foreign ships Used.
We have no. transports for our army
and no auxiliary for our navy" he said.
I'VE have no trained seamen upon whom
We can draw to furnish us with crews
for naval vessels. A little time ago we
wanted to send some Of our soldiers to
Cuba We sent them to the port of de-
parture. and there they marched down
the gang plank to the strain of the Star
Spangled Banner on foreign ship. and
sailed away under a foreign flag.
Representative Humphrey said that a
few years from now the two greatest
oceans will be united by the canal
dug. owned, and controlled by the United
States.
I'VE have no ships to use it. and if We
continue our present policy he de-
clared. I'VE will spend all these count
less millions in the construction and
maintenance of this great work mostly
for the benefit of foreign ships"
Has Reached Limits.
Mr. Kirby said that the domestic and
foreign trade Of this country had been
held up and starved until the patience
of the business men has reached its
Limit.
Many important manufacturers-cor-
poraticne employing thousands of men
and producing annually millions Of dol
lars worth of goods" said Mr.. Kirby,
have written me that they must seek
new markets: in fact, extend their bust
ness sales cyond the seas: They speak
of American markets and those of other
parts of the world. and they insist, yes,
demand, that the barriers now preventing
Our foreign trade extension be removed.
In substance. they authorize me to
say to this Merchant Marine Congress
that from now on they will employ
every legitimate means to force the
ena ctment of laws which will give US our
own ocean carriers. our own mail ships
flying the American flag, and our own
transportation link in the great chain
of activities which should and will en-
able us to keep our factory wheels NOV
ing and pay full time to the American
workingman."
Marine Now DeplOrable.
Representative William S. Greene said
that the fact that the foreign going ma
rine of the United States. once the finest
in the world. was now practically extinct,
is deplorable.
Our great country of more than 90
10000 people has but eleven vessels en-
gagged in its foreign ocean going trade"
said Representative Greene. With half
our population, England has more than
1900 vessels. while Germany has over
1900, and Japan nearly 1000.
1T is deplorab!e fact that. owing to
the lack of operating ships. We handle
practically none of our enormous over
sea trade. We now carry less than s
per cent of our own foreign commerce"
James L. Ewell, secretary of the mer-
chant r,arine committee. said in part
If we are safely to hold our export