The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-08-11

wise forced to give UP much Of their
usual activity in handling the worlds
produce. Norwegian. Swedish end DAN
ish merchantmen. are all under severe
handlcaps in serving the sea trade OF
the world. for the Scandinavian coun-
tries are too close to the seat OF war
not to be In imminent danger OF being
drawn into ths conflict. The Same IL
true - Italy: 50 II remains for the
Oriental nations and the United States
to handle the maJo share OF the worlds
marine commerce. There is no ques-
ton that the Japanese and to a lesser
extent the Chinese. will grasp the great
opportunity as far as they are able but
the lion share is offered TO the United
states. with supplication from the whole
world for her to seize the great chance
and benefit TO an extent that has never
before been afforded a nation.
What an opportunity and yet tho
suggestion has been made from high
sources that as the world needs and
must have the products OF this country
II Is for the world to find and provide
the Ships to carry the commodities. II
they want our produce let them come
and get II is tho spirit expressed in
certain quarters. Could any policy he
more shortsighted and suicidal to the
interests OF the future foreign trade OF
this country Foreign trade gained by
such policy-ewn IL an increase In ex-
port trade could be so created, which Is
very doubtful on account Of the inabil-
ity OF any other nation to equip herself
Tor such activity at the present time
would necessarily he but temporary,
trade that would be lost, perforce, Just
as soon as the great producing nations
were able to revive their home indus
tries on the termination Of tho war
with cargo carriers legitimately flying
the Stars and Stripes, on the other
hand, great part, II not all, OF the
foreign trade gained during this awful
conflict could be retained by this coun-
try on the return OF peace, for there is
no question that all the belllserent ma
tons VIII be considerably poorer at the
end or the war. and. therefore, unable
Immediately to resume their former
rank as suppliers Of the worlds needs
During the period OF reeste blishing the
home Industries Of the warning nations
period that cannot fail TO be Of much
longer duration than that of the actual
war. the United States could unoues-
tionably still further increase her for
eign trade and establish herself so firmly
as maritime and world producing
nation as to make her future unseatlng
from such throne an impossibility-
could do all this IL she can edulp her
self SO that she can deliver her own
produce to the consuming markets, and
only II she so prepares
But how Is this desired merchant
marine to be acquired? Preferably by
outright purchase of foreign vessels by
private capital. Failing this there are
certain bills now before the Federal
Legislature that have some merit and
which would do something to alleviate
the situation. First, there Is the Adam.
son bill inviting foreign ships to regis.
ter under the American flag. a measure
that appears on the surface To be a
palpable subterfuge and one that is very
likely to lead TO much international
wransling II not even to serious trouble.
Great Britain. upon whom the task OF
keeping the high seas open to com
mcrce will devolve. would object. with
perfect right, TO having German and
Austrian ships plying their trade under
the protection OF this country immune
from capture because the Stars and
Stripes fioated from their sterns.
Floated Illegally. for there is no question
that such ships would resume their ma.
tional registry Just as soon as they were
able To do so with safety-ther owners
and the nations II which they right.
fully belonged would see TO that.
France, with her enormous navy as
sisting that OF England in patrollng the
seas would also object. In fact all the
warning Powers would consider such
act as an unfriendly one and not CON
sistent with the strict neutrality pro-
claimed 10y this country.
The Weeks bill aims to place Ameri-
can warships in commercial service and
thereby provide a way OF distributing
commodities to the various foreign mar
kets in need of our produce. This plan
doubtless will have to ne resorted to in
certain Instances, but as a solution OF the
transporting problem II leaves very
much To he desired and does not promise
10 be practical or efficient. In the first
place, the warships would be withdrawn
from commercial service at the end OF
the war and the American merchant
marine would he No more powerful than
before. Secondly, warshps are not built
with tho view OF engaging in such com.
merce and do not have the carrying
capacity VI NtSStls NOT INC
provisions for the efficient handling OF
cargoes. Thirdly. but a comparatively
small part of the none too great war
navy of the United States could be
sequestercd for such service. as the
major part of the war fleet would be
required to guard and patrol our great
coast line and safeguard our foreign
possessions, q task that the American
navy must assume as the dignity of the
nation could not allow this to be done
by a foreign Power. As socialistic
policy only could the plan OF converting
tho fighting navy ~ the United States
into common carriers be considered a
wise or satisfactory me For the Gov
eminent to take over the task of han
ding the ocean borne commerce II the
country would certainly be socialistic.
but in order 10 do 80 efficiently large
fleet OF merchantmen would be required
not the few armed fighting machines
that could be spared at the present
time.
The bill that promises the best solu.
ton, the bill that has been so highly
thought Of as to be referred e. the
Foreign Relations Committee. Is the
Williams bill. This bill authorizes the
Secretary OF the Treasury to purchase
outright any ships belonging to citizens
or subjects of belligerent Powers now
in American ports or which may /subse-
quently be brought to this country.
N-ltt o. ~ l.