South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-12-07
COUNTRY SHOULD HAVE
FINE MERCHANT MARINE.
United States Should Be Its Own Car
rier on the Seas.

If this full program should be carried
out we should have built or building in
1921, according to the estimates Of sur
vival and standards Of classification
followed by the general board Of the
department an effective navy consist
ing OF q battleShips Of the first line. 6
battle cruisers, % battleships Of the
second line. 10 armored cruisers, Is
scout cruisers, 3 first class cruisers, 3
second class cruisers, 10 third class
cruisers, 10S destroyers, IS feet sub
marines, 157 coast submarines. 6 mon
itOrs, 20 gunboats, supply ships, 10
fuel ships, 4 transports, 3 tenders TO
torpedo vessels, s vessels Of special
types and two ammunition ships. This
would be a navy fitted to our needs
and worthy of our traditions.
But armies and instruments Of war
are only part OF what has to be con-
sidered If we are TO consider the SUI
preme matter of national self suficien-
cy and security in all its aspects.
There are other great matters which
will be thrust upon our attention
example, a very pressing question of
trade and shipping involved in this
great problem OF national adequacy.
1t is necessary for many weighty rea-
sons Of national efficiency and devel-
opment that we should have a great
merchant marine. The great merchant
feet we once used to make us rich,
that great body OF sturdy sailors who
used to carry our flag into every sea,
and who were the pride and often the
bulwark Of the nation, we have almost
driven out OF existence by inexcusable
neglect and indifference and by hope
lessly blind and provincial policy of
so called economic protection. 1t is
high time we repaired our mistake and
resumed our commercial independence
on the seas.
For it is a question OF independence.
If other nations go to war or seek to
hamper each others commerce our
merchants, it seems, are at their mer-
cy to do with as they please. We must
use their ships and use them as they
determine. We have not ships enough
of our own. We cannot handle our
own commerce on the seas. Our indie
pendence is provincial. and is only on
land and within our own borders We
are not likely TO be permitted to use
even the ships of other nations in ri
valry Of their own trade and are with
out means to extend our commerce
even where the doors are wide open
and our goods desired. Such q situa-
ton is not to be endured 1t is Of capt.
tai importance not only that the Unit
ed States should be its own carrier on
the seas and enjoy the economic indie
pendence which only an adequate
merchant marine would give it. but
also that the American hemisphere as
a whole should enjoy like inc pend
ence and self sufiiciency, if it not
TO be drawn into the tangle Of Euro
pean affairs. Without such independ-
ence the whole question of our pOlit-
zeal unity and self determination is
very seriously clouded and complicated
indeed.
Moreover, we can develop no true or
effective American policy without ships
Of our own-not ships Of war. but
ships Of peace, carrying goods and car
rying much more; creating friendships
and rendering Indispensable services to
all interests on this side the water.
They must move constantly back and
forth between the Americas They are
the only shuttles that can weave the
delicate fabric Of sympathy, compre-
hension, confidence and mutual de-
pendence in which we wish to clothe
our policy Of America for Americans.
The task Of building up an adequate
merchant marine for America private
capital must ultimately undertake and
achieve. as 1t has undertaken and
achieved every other like task among
rs In the past, with admirable enter
prise. intelligence and vigor, and il
seems 10 me manifest dictate OF wis
dom that we should promptly remove
every legal obstacle that may stand in
the way of this much to be desired re-
vival OF our old independence and
should facilitate In every possible way
the building. purchase and American
registration OF ships. But capital can
not accomplish this great task OF a
sudden 1t must embark upon II by
degrees, as the opportunities Of trade
develop. Something must be done at
once. done to open routes and develop
opportunities where they are as yet
undeveloped. done to open the arteries
Of trade where the currents have not
yet learned TO run. especially between
the two American continents, where
they are. singularly enough. yet TO be
created and quickened. and IL is evil
dent that only the government can IN
dertake such beginnings and assume
the initial financial risks. When the
risk has passed and private capital be-
gins 70 fnd its way IN sufficient abun-
dance into these new channels the gov
eminent may withdraw. But Il can
not omit 10 begin. II should take The