Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1914-08-23
Has Almost Become I'm
perative By Reason of
European War
GARRISON FAVORS IT
Secretary OF War Places Blame On
Our Legislators For Not Prepar-
ing, Or Making Preparation
For Such Emergency.
lBY EidneV EspeN.D


Washington, Aug. 22.-Thc need OF
merchant marine through which
the United States can control its
own commerce and yet afford vessels
for either war or relief proposes, mas
become imperative by reason of the
European crisis. No more startling
example can be shown than at the
present time when there is a lack
of ships with which to furnish relief
TO the stranded Americans abroad.
Secretary of War Garrison is the
only member of the cabinet whose
forceful expressions point out the in
ability of this government to cope
with the present situation. He places
the blame squarely on those who
have had charge OF our legislation
for not having the foresight to pre-
pare for an emergency OF this klld.
Never in the history of the world
has world power such as the Unit
ed States been so completely cut off
from rendering aid to their national
tiles in foreign countries. Japan,
then a comparatively new power, in
her late war with Russia, had plenty
Of ships and auxliaries to cope with
the situation confronting her at that
time. Her statesmen had been pre-
pairing for an inevitable crisis sure
to come to pass in the East
War Comes as Surprise to U. S.
The United States, on the other
hand, never dreamed that world
war was a possibility and, for this
reason, together with the fact that
America is isolated from direct con-
| tact with European nations, never
believed merchant marine neces-
sary. In this connection, the strong
movement against a ship subsidy in
this country will be pointed out To
pay enormous sums of money Out of
the United States treasury yearly for
the support of private vessels Is a
policy described by some as an "un-
democratic thing"
The practical use of merchant
marine flying the American flag is
now demonstrated and the piiable
state of 10000 Americans in the war
zone abroad, many of whom are
! without money, and all of whom are
unable to buy or beg transportation
to this country, gives proof Of this
assertion. q
1t is safe to say that Congress, at
it's next session, will take some ac-
I, ton favoring a merchant marine;
perhaps not calling for a large eX-
| penditure of funds, but providing
| funds enough fos it's establishment
or sufficient sum to make available
enough vessels to take care of any
emergency.
This condition will be brought
about by the shipping owners them
selves some of whom have demon
strated their u2patriotic feeling by
trying to :syphon honey out of the
United States treasury" in the pres
ent crisis At least, Secretary of
War Garrison is authority for this
statement and, judging FROM the way
he has canvessed the entire WORT, for
ships for use abroad, he ought to
know.
AS high naval official stated re-
Gently, this is another example of
congress narrowmindedness and pen
ury. If appropriations had been
Forthcoming for the navy as asked
for by the general board some time
ago, there would not have been
lack of vessels in this country and
Americans could have been brought
back from Europe without much
trouble"