Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1914-08-27
EUROPEAN WAR
Will BUILD GREAT
MERCHANT MARINE
Conqueror Of Manila Sees Fin
ger of Destiny In Opportun-
ity Now Confronting u. s.

New York-Admiral Dewey. ranking
officer Of the American navy, declared
last evening, after hearing Of the war
news abroad, that he believed that this
country was on the threshold of a great
opportunity and that Its destiny was
peculiarly in the hands of Providence.
He is stopping for the summer at
the Oriental hotel. Manhattan Beach,
where he was informed by a represent
alive Of the Republic of the declaration
of war which Germany had made
against Russia The admiral has come
in contact with all the navies of the
world in his long career n he knows
well the avg forces of England and
Germany.
He has followed the news of the wal
YER closely in the last few days, for,
having regained his health in the in
MIGRATING airs Of the beach in the
month that he has been there, he finds
a new zest in life. Sitting on the piazza
Of the hotel, he gazed out rel the sea,
watching the coming and going Of the
steamships n commenting on the
making Of history.
Owing to his official position, the adj
miral refused to discuss the impending
struggle Of the fleets Of the powers.
He said, however, that now is the great
opportunity for the United States to
build up q merchant marine.
INOW I'D LIE opportunity, COIlIlIluou
the admiral, "if congress acts, for the
United States to have it's share in the
carrying trade of the world. I thor
oughly approve the proposal IF the
president to nave the ship navigation
laws SO amended that vessels of foreign
build may come under the American
flag. The present statutes are very Sc
we're and some modification Of them
would undoubtedly be necessary.
Aavo tho Mar Eor Naee.ls
TN recent years this country has had
practically no merchant marine. Its
transatlantic steamers have been con-
fined to such vessels as the st. Louis
and the st. Paul. There are coasting
vessels, to be sure. If the opportunity
opens for this country to obtain ocean
carrying trade there are thousands OF
well trained and vigorous Americans
Who could man the steamships. There
has no been enough inducement lately
for them to join the merchant marine
With a change in the law l have nc
doubt there will be a great increase In
our carrying trade and that many YES
sells will soon be under the stars and
stripes.
'One who follows American history
continued the admiral, Cannot but be
impressed with the fact that this coun-
try is in the hands of God. We are in
the present situation free from foreign
ENGAGEMENTS. At this time our gran
aries are filled with one Of the great
est crops on record. The United States
has before 1t the opportunity to re-
establish her once great mercantile
marine. 1t is an opportunity which
should De grasped."
Admiral Dewey sat for a moment
looking ove the blue water as though
turning owe in his mind the course OF
events.
II have lived many years" he said
Il have followed the history Of this
country in many phases, and to me the
thought has come that this land was
set aside for the realization of a high
destiny. Its mission no doubt, is to
provide a home of freedom for the OPP
pressed of all lands.
Recently at Saratoga I read an ole
book in which was an account Of the
Incidents which concerned the surren.
der of General Burgoyne. TheS order
was given that the American colonies
should be considered as in divisions
cleft by the Hudson river. From Can
d was to come a great column under
Burgoyne. From the east was to come
another column, while Sir William
Howe was to come up from New York