The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1914-03-27

/. We must have a merchant marin
{ it we are to hold our place as
n world power. Our navy is the hes
equipped and manned navy that eve
! sailed the seven seas. Without
e sufficient merchant marine, it is rob
D bed OF half its efficiency in time O
: war. This was amply demonstrate
: in the Spanish American war, wheI
the United States, before hostilitiel
commenced, and the laws of neutrali
ty shut us from the European mar
ket had to buy. at excessive prices
merchant ships from foreign nations
to use as auxiliary cruisers and trans
ports because there were not enough
American vessels of a suitable elias,
available. 1t was proven that ou
merchant marine was not large
enough to provide naval reserve
for even brief conflict with a third
rate power.
Our national independence was
won and maintained for us upon the
sea by the splendid consistency, val
or, and skill of the armed crews oil
our trading ships, whalers and fishing
boats. Our armed swift sailing pri-
vateers in the war of 1912 were the
first and only power that ever made
England tremble for her proud title
| OF mistress of the sea. In the Civil
war, It was the sea power of the
Union, composed largely of merchant
ships, and four-fifths of merchant Of
hcers and men, that swung the bal
ance against the seeding states
Even in our short war with Spain.
our merchant marine, if such it may
be called, proved reserve ready and
indispensable. As a military meas
ure, merchant marine is essential
to our highest efficiency.
a merchant marine is the most eff
flcient protection that we can have
against war. The time is coming in
the not far distant future, when con-
tests between nations will not be con-
tests between the armies and navies
OF war, with their work of destruc-
ton, desolation and misery; but by
the armies of industry, and the navies
OF commerce, with their work of pro-
duction, wealth and happiness. The
world power of the future will be the
nation that controls the commerce
of the world. The battle-ground Of
the future will be the field Of com
merce. We can do nothing which |
will more effectively insure US SUI
premacy in the future-nothing which |
will more effectively hasten the eyo.
luton of peace and good will-than
the rebuilding of our merchant ma
rine.
We must have a merchant marine
to make effective our national policy.
By the Monroe Doctrine and other
accepted acts, by which we shut out
foreign interference, we virtually
pledge ourselves to maintain peace on
the American continent, and to pro-
tect foreign interests. Yet today. we
are losing the respect of, and our
power in, the Central American
states. Why? Because we are be,
coming less just and powerful? No,
we are losing this respect and power
because the merchant ships OF Eu-
'ope are tying the interests of these
states and Europe closer and closer.
Because OF a lack of efficient mer-
;hant marine, our power to make eff
'eetive on. national policy is becom-
ng less and less; our ability and eff
lciency as power for peace, weaker
Ind weaker.
Our commercial and industrial in
erests, II they are to be developed
Q their fullest extent, demand a nier-
liant marine. Today American-made
FOODS aer exported and sold to every
lation. Are they carried to their
destination in American ships? 1t is
With humiliation and shame that we
re forced to admit that they are car
led IN the merchant vessels of our
orelgn rivals. Money and patronage
1hich should go to American officers
nd sailors, to develop American ,
upwards, to American shipping, to !
american industries in general, are ,
ow going to support and increase
Ne shipping capacity of foreign lines, '
hose ships go and come" at the
beck and call" of foreign nations
his is detrimental to the best inter !
SITS OF every American and of every
.merican industry.
A nation which is reaching out for =
he commercial mastery of the world
annot long suffer nine-tenths of lis !
wn ocean carrying to be monopoliz- p
by. its foreign rivals" This is the
tuation which must appeal to our :
lrcwd sense of humor. as well aS !
lr own passion of patriotism. When q
lie American people once realize the '
,otesquenesS of this situation. thew 2
Ill not rest until the same over i
helming power which forced a heed u
s.. congress to build our first steel y
users and armorclads, compels n y
clear the way for the creation OF g
adequate feet of swift mail ships ,
d heavy freighters. n
We have constructed the Panama s.
mai at an enormous cost, but can y
yer reap the full benefit from it nm %
we rebuild our merchant marine g
owever, the Interpretation of the "
ay.Ponceforte treaty, allowing us IN
discriminate in favor of American az
FPS, gives us a powerful incentive w
ward starting the rebuilding of our pi
,rchant feet, The Democratic adj a
in removing the tariff tr'
aid the rebuilding of our ships 10 10
Preat extent, by removing il only WI
IN those articles imported in ships IN
lit IN America, built by Americans ne
ned by Americans, manned by ll
nericans,, and sailing under the WI
1erican flag, Our government can M
lSe to ignore our marine and grant tn
the recognition and respect that il De
serves. There are numerous v1aX,s m;