New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-02-04
A Distinguished Audience.

the United States, but who were eyes
for the community"
a Distinguished Audience.
The audience which heard President
Wilson speak was a distinguished one,
composed of the representatives Of
every great business interest in the
country. In addition, his hearers COM
prised Miss Margaret Wilson and Mrs.
William c. McAdoO, Joseph Wilson, the
Presidents brother; Attorney General
Gregory, Secretary of Agriculture
Houston and Secretary OF Labor VII
son.
Secretary Bryan and Samuel McRob-
erts, yice-president of the National CITY
Bank. OF New York, addressed the dele
gates earlier in the day on American
Investments abroad. Mr.. Bryan's ad-
dress was an important one from APP
lomatlc point OF view, IOr IN IT he lntl-
mated in broad terms that the rela-
tons between this country and Japan
we're never better than they are to-day.
at is the business of diplomacy to
maintain friendly relations" Mr.. Bryan
said. land ! think | can say that the
relations between this country and ASIA
on the west that Is open, and between
this country and all of the spanish
American countries, were never better
than they are to-day"
The Secretary of State added that
he knew of mo one thing that VIII go
further to advance US in the goou
opinion and the confidence OF the re-
nublics of Central and South America
than the ratification OF the treaty lma'
has been negotiated with COLOMBIA
II was when Mr.. Bryan took up the
question of the ship purchase Dill that
the sentiment of the delegates cam
forth without restraint, indicating Una,
so far as business men OF the ohllt"
States are concerned government,
owned mercantile marine IS not wanted
~ am in favor of a government
owned ship as an advantage 10 US III
our foreign trade" MI Bryan declareu'
Ship Bill Opposed.
And then the storm broke loose. NO!
MOI" came from all parts OF the nan
until il seemed for time as thoush
every delegate present was opposed 10
env such principles. A few, however,
liked the plan, and this seemed 70 give
Secretary Bryan heart, for ne came
back with this: ~. $500
II did not expect unanimity,. my
friends | am too well aware or the
inhuence of private investment 70 eX-
meet sny one interested in the merchant
marine that is owned by individual
ever to welcome a government compeu
tor. no matter how much the peoPIe
might wish it. know that the doctrine
of y government owned ship is assailed
on theoretical grounds, and Also as
sailed on a personal and pecuniary
ground under cover OF theore'ica
grounds" .Lo,,
associated with him would not purchase
belligerent vessels was gwen by Deere
tary Bryan. -.
"To nv mind il is a legitimate use o.
nublic money" he said, land this is al
opportune time; and with all my hear
! am in favor of shipping bill tina
will give the American people o chanc'
to buy ships, TO manufacture ships, tt
build ships-I will use a broad WORD
one that cannot be misunderstood a
this time-that will give the govern
ment q chance to secure SHIPS lol
cannot convert the word secure into
! an unneutral word.
az refuse to discuss how the PreSi
dent shall exercise the authority tina
is conferred upon him, and those asso
ciated with him, in the carrying out o
! the law. We give the President au
thority on every other subject, and
shall be the last one TO suspect tina
! our President will misuse authorit.
that is given to him in the shippini
bill"
Secretary Bryan said his department
was prepared TO give every legitimat
! encouragement TO the establishment o
! branch banks in Central America an
South America, and would also help IL
Asia.
: 81 believe" he said, that the estab
lishment OF these branch banks and
, am sure that within a few years w
: will have branches in all the Latin
American countries-is the longest sin
! gle step that this country has takel
toward the encouragement OF trade II
foreign lands, and that it will help u
! not only in Central America, but II
, South America and in Asia.
One Of the features Of to-dsy's meet
ing of the convention was the intro
, duction Of a resolution which provided
that the economic pressure of Amer
; can business men shall be exerte'
against foreign countries which in tn,
! future engaged In war. The Chamber