New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-31
u. S. Government Might
Cover Vessels of Other
Nations.
AMERICAN MARINE
TOO SMALL FOR TRADE
Route North of British Isles
Suggested to Avoid
Mines.

Inc nlted states mas tne ilBHb B"
law to send non-contraband goods TO
Germany in neutral ships without
interference from the Allies; England
and France have admitted that right
and have agreed not TO modest such
shipments; bu. because of certain re
movable natural and artificial OBJ
stacles trade between the United States
and Germany IS almost az stand5;ill,
and thousands of importers and eX-
porters in this country. as well as cot
ton growers and other producers Of
commodities In international trade, are
reduced 20 distress ana even facing
ruin.
Setting forth these facts, persons IN
this city intimately connected with
mercantile. Insurance and banking in
torests throughout the United states
have made strong representations to
the government. and there are now
being considered by the authorities at
Washington suggestions of the ilrst
Importance for the overcoming of both
the natural and the unnatural handl-
caps.
OF the several proposals that are
considered Of the most Importance is a
plan 20 have the government War Risk
Bureau extend its operations to cover
the ships not only OF the United States
but of all neutral nations. At present,
as was explained yesterday, the Ameri-
can mercantile marine is wholly in
adequate 20 carry abroad the cotton
so urgently demanded by Germany and
Austria and 70 bring back the goods
and commodities needed by importers
here.
The policy of the governments bu-
reau in cCnilnlng its war risk insurance
10 American vessels tends TO benefit
the American shipping industry, but
only az the expense of the American
merchant. The greater part OF the
ships now in the transatlantic trade, II
is argued, were in no need Of unusual
aid, because they were diverted from
lake and coastwise trade, already profit
able.
Extension Of war risk insurance to
all neutral vessels would, it is oe-
lieved. bring into the service of Amer
lean trade Danish, Swedish and Nor
wcgian bottoms and 50 would lower
marine insurance rates and other
charges. because these vessels, being
well adapted 70 overseas traffic, as
most American carriers are not, would
make possible better terms with
underwriters.
Under present conditions. under
writer's charges are high, and in many
instances risks have been refused al
together. The failure OF many ship
pers TO obtain satisfactory insurance
has made difficult the financing of
shipments because bankers are not
disposed 10 take risks they consider
unreasonable. II is estimated shat
something like 5000, 100000 Of export
and import business is being held up
for causes like these.
A an illustration of the inadequdcy
Of ,hips now under American register
20 handle the waiting traffic, IL is said
that If they were 10 carry cotton TO
Germany equal to one seasons normal
demand it would take them three
Yeas TO do NJ.
Another suggestion made 20 open
up trade with Germany is that vessels
abandon the customary trade routes IN
favor OF a course TO the north of the
British Isles and thence southeast
through the Skagger Rak into the neu-
trail waters Of the Scandinavian cOun-
tries. Maritime experts, who have
carefully investigated the matter, as
sert that the British government has
"builed" the rest Of the world into
believing that Germany is inaccessible
except through waters thickly sown
with mines.
If vessels kept TO track between
the Farce and Shetland islands, or be-
tween the Farce Islands and Iceland,
they would be perfectly safe, they say,
because the water Is everywhere too
deem there and the current too strong
TO make mine-laying practicable. Not
only that. but they would save time,
because the course Is very little long
er than through the English Channel
and tho North Sea and there would be
no delays such as occur on the pres
eut route.
In support of the arguments for the
northern course there have lately been
collected statements from captains and
agents Of Scandinavian vessels which
have traversed the northern route
without hindrance and have IN many
cases ignored the instructions of the
british government that passenger
vessels 90 north of the Orkneys, and
CARGO ships call at Kirkwall in those
islands And, as a further argument
II Is said that only with British pilots
can vessels hope to go through the
English. Channel-North Sea passage,
and then at considerable risk of mines,
hut British pilots, under the trading,
Nth the-eremy proclamation, would
be bound not to help the Shipment OF
goods into Germany.
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