The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-08-02

obtaining bottoms to carry American
exports to European markets" The
bill valves all restrictions upon the
admission of foreign-built ships to
American registry. except the pro-
vision of law which requires vessels
Of American registry to be owned by
American citizens or corporation.
Democratic leaders had planned to
put through the two war" bills to-
day, but this was prevented by an
adjournment of tho house, forced by
Republicans, while Leader Under
wood was In conference with Mr..
Wilson.
After tho house adjourned. an eff
fort was made to assemble the COM
mittee on banking and currency TO
act on the emergency currency bill
passed by the senate yesterday. 1t de-
veloped that quorum WAS not In
town and the committee was forced
to defer action until Monday. At the
same time, an effort was made to as
semble quorum OF the committee on
merchant marine to give considera~
ton to the proposition OF ships In
volved in the bNi prepared by Nj.
| Underwood This also failed of re-
suit. The Democratic leaders do not
apprehend opposition to the passage
| Of either bill on Monday
IAtTSitIS NattAA EhSts
| The Underwood bill repeats that
provision of section of the Panama
canal act, which requires foreign ves-
sells applying for American registra-
| ton TO be less than five years old"
| 1t further permits the president TO
waive the present lawful requirement
that watch officers aboard ships flying
! the American flag shall be citizens or
the United States. The bill also en-
! a hs,
law that requires inspection. survey
and measurement by the federal au-
| thorities of all foreign-built ships that
| apply for American registry. The
! provisions of law requiring vessels OF
American registry to be wholly owned
! by Americans is permitted to stand.
| The changes In law proposed therefor
| would neceSsitate the purchase out
right of foreignb built vessels if Ameri-
can commerce Is to be relieved in the
event Of a general European war.
Difference of Opinion.
! The authorities here differ as to the
effect of the Underwood bill in pro-
vidiug vessels for the relief of Ameri-
tcan commerce..
| Some think 1t will result In the ac-
QUESTION in short order of a sufficient
number of vessels to carry American
exports.
Other declares II will afford no re-
lief at all Those who take the posi-
ton that few foreign ships will accept
American registry under the new CON-
ditions argue that practically all the
efficient ships engaged in the merchant
marine are tied up to the maritime ma
lions that threaten to become involved
in war, and that their respective gov
ernments will commander all such
crafts for their own uses
The government authorities do not
expect any relief through the diver
sion to the foreign trade of ships en-
gagged in the coastwise trade. They
have concluded that 1t would require
extensive changes in the bunker ca
pacity of such vessels to make them
fit for transatlantic service. Even
with enlarged bunker capacity and
consequent reduced cargo capacity,
coastWise vessels would be required to
take coal abroad. AS coal is contra
band OF war under international law.
coastwise vessels would be unable to
I'LL coal bunkers at foreign ports The
authorities have practically abandoned
hope Of gaining relief from the coast
wise service, so far as ocean traffic
Is concerned.
Demand for Merchant Marine.
1t is the opinion Of Republican as
well as Democratic leaders that the
present situation will result In an in
slant demand that the United States
shall pass laws providing merchant
marine Of it's own instead Of depend
ing On foreign vessels for the trans
portation OF oversee trade.
In statement made public tonight,
Representative Glass. of Virginia,
chairman OF the committee on bank
ing and currency, gave assurances that