The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-05-30
RIOCKADED BY TREATY.

washington dispatches tell of formal protests
BY ambassadors of Germany and France prob
ably with the other powers supporting, against
the provision In the Underwood tariff bill to
allow FIVE per cent reduction in duties on mer-
chandise brought to this country in vessels
owned or controlled here.
The provision is intended to encourage Ameri-
can ownership of ocean going shipping. 1t is
reported that the president has no serious OBJ
lection. to emitting it from the bill. We hope
tits report is an error and that the president will
object very seriously and effectively. The
frreign powers contend that discrimination in
favor of merchandise coming American
owned bottoms would be violation OF treaties
between themselves and others.
It must be that we have remarkably benevo-
lent and self.sacrihcing collection of treaties.
When California undertakes to exclude japanese
from ownership of land, we are confronted by
treaty. When we propose TO allow our own
vessels to go free of tolls through our own
cnnal. built by with our own money. we are
told that cannot do 1t because our treaty with
Great Britain forbids. Now when we suggest
use of our tariff laws to revive and stimulate
our own shipping Industries we find protests
that we are forbidden by treaties. We seem
to be wrapped and tied In a mesh of treaties,
hindering every step we try to take. every move
ment we make for our own advantage.
The real fault with the provision or clause,
against which these last protests made Is
that 1t is too broad. 1t allows the discount on
our people. The discount should apply to vessels
brit or owned here. Some of ship build
ing interests contend that It should apply only
to shipping actually built in American yards,
but this, probably, would be too narrow. The
purpose In view is TO secure American control
OF the seas and the ocean commerce, to develop
not only the building but the ownership of
ocean carriers. Now the American flag is
stranger in many ports where millions of
dollars and our exports go. We send and re-
ceiye on foreign-owned bottoms. We have es-
tablished for the event OF war our own blockade
against ourselves. We might have our every
port open and be unable to ship to bring
In pound OF freight because we would not
have vessel could for commercial pur-
u
cure as quickly as possible these conditions,
which are expansive dangerous and humiliatng.
Unquestionably, IL vessels owned or built and
owned in the United States were allowed TO
deliver here goods five per cent cheaper than
any others there would be rush not only to build
hut to buy ships to sail under our flag Our
builders and owners would earn the profits
now earned abroad Another important consider
alton is that the supply Of trained sailors and
Of auxiliary vessels for use in war would be
increased rapidly and enormously. There is
one place the shoe pinches, especially Great
britain. Germany and France. All have great
naval reserves, established largely with our
money We have no reserve worth mentioning by
comparison.
Mr. Underwood has been the foremost and
strongest advocate Of tariff discrimination in
favor Of American shipping. He has coptended
that 1t was the sure and constitutional way to
establish an American merchant marine. 1t has
the effect OF a subsidy, but is not subsidy.
II takes nothing from the people. makes no de-
Mand on the general fund for any special In
*&erest 1t is protection of the right kind be-
cause It exacts nothing from our consumers
but gives them something. divides bounty be-
tween the ship owner and the home buyer. 1t
lessons instead Of increasing the cost to the
K American people of imported articles.
M Treaties are not perpetual and are not in
fended 70 81. Always they can be abrogated