The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-06-02

| MAktS AN Atrial
| FOR ]. 5. ships
ALEXANDER R. SMITH URGES
RETENTION OF THE PER
CENT REDUCTION.
| WASHINGTON, June 1.--Declaring
that for American foreign commerce
to continue to support foreign ships
means Weakening OF the United
States upon the seas, while their
rivals grow strong. Alexander r..
port Of the provision in the Under
wood tariff bill allowing . cent
discount on imports in American ves-
sells This 10 the prnyision against
which foreign governments have pro-
tested. and which IL said to be likely
to be droppsd from the MEASURE.
Mr.. Smith il regarded AZ an au-
thority on maritime affairs, having for
many years published q weekly
marine newspa per in New York. For
several years ne was superintendent
Of the New York Maritime Exchange,
and II now president Of the Mer-
chants and Manufacturers Board OF
Trade of New York city, which or
ganixation has recently issued an ex-
tensive pamphlet on American mer-
chant marine.
CARRIED on Naval Rolls.
American foreign commerce. he
says. supplies profitable employment
to foreign merchant ships, which
ships, their officers and men, form
parts OF foreign naval reserves, and
are carried on the naval rosters Of
foreign governments. Our depend-
OF the building ana operation OF them,
and We also deprive ourselves Of tho
use OF such ships, their officers and
men, who would be an inyaluahle
naval reserve for the United States.
Our foreign commerce enriches our
foreign rivals and strengthens their
naval resources. Meanwhile the
United States steadily grows weaker
upon the seas as its rivals grow
Surely this explains why foreign
governments oppose the reesta blish-
ment Of this old American maritime
policy. But the utterly Incompetent
sible thing Is. why should congress
withdraw the section? 1t vas inserted
to help American shipping. 1t will
be withdrawn only to help foreign
feels that Its duty is to safeguard
foreign shipping interests: Are for
eign governments to dictate the mari
time policy of the United States. or
decree that we shall have neither a
maritime policy nor . marine?
Denies Treaty Violation.
rs It congress OF the United States
about to abdicate. its constitutional
functions and conform Its legislation
to the Wishes of foreign govern
menta?" Mr.. Smith asked. mo treaty
between the United States and any
foreign government" he answered,
Twill b violated II the per cent dis
count OF the duty on import In Ameri-
can vessels provided for. In the I'm
derwood tariff bill IL retained in the
bill as finally enacted. But ever since
the new tariff bill was Arst published
statements have frequently appeared
in the newspapers to the effect that
the Representatives Of foreign govern
ments have 1iled with our State de-
partment protests against this section,
on the alleged ground that II violates
treaties That this 10 untrue none
knows better than these representa-
|
should know 20 well a. our state de-
pArtment.
AT different times the United
States has entered into treda agpee-
Inents or onventione-~miecAlle
treatiss-vith other nations, in which
this country agreed not to impose
higher duties on Imports In foreisn
can vessel. But In making thsss
asReamsntA each party to them OK
! plicttly reserved the right ia terminate
/ them. and such reservations were .
part of the &grAen8ntA How can 1t
b. alleged that thls country will 'vio-
late IN aGrsenAent II madeeif II mers-
" sxsrcsss. ttqht It rsseFved 70
tsrninated alnIisT .egfseaAsnts With
violating tlAati4k
ssssa s sss ss.s. s.; : q
ton 1.-THE one that previ1aa fer this
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:'s |. ~: WI ssv e sSas
when Ams.,can shils eassieA eut q
yssss Esys .esm ~, q sS z ssst g y
"a our ships carried ~ e. esst q
our foyslfn. easnmSres-She. htshest
p,opcFtien OF AnSFlsaH faIcaSa Ar,
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