The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1915-12-10
COUNTRY SHOULD HAVE
FINE MERCHANT MARINE.
Omitted States Should Bs its Own Car
risr on the 6eas.

United States should Be its Own Car
risr on the Seas.
IL this full program should be carried
cut 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.
battle cruisers, 25 battleships of the
second line. 10 armored cruisers. Is
scout cruisers, 8 first class cruisers. 3
second class cruisers. 10 third class
cruisers. 10S destroyess. 10 neet sub
marines, 157 coast submarines. 9 mon
itors, 20 gunboats. 4 supply ships. 10
fuel ships. A transports. Q tenders to
torpedo vessels, 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 70 be con-
sidered II we are to consider the su-
preme matter Of national self sufficen-
cy and security in oil Its aspects.
There are other great matters which
will be thrust upon our attention
whether we will or not There is, for
example, 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 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 inexcusabIe
neglect and Indifference and by hope
iessly blind and provincial policy Of
SO called economic protection. 1t Is
high time we repaired our mistake aud
resumed our commercial independence
on the seas.
For 1t is a question of independence.
III other nations go to war or seek to
hamper each others commerce our
merchants, 1t seems, are ut 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
af thai. A.. xutt
out means TO extend our commerce
even where the doors are wide open
and our goods desired. Such a situa-
ton is not to be endured. 1t is OF CAPT
tal importance not only that the Unit
ed States should be It's own carrier on
the seas and enjoy the economic indie
pendence which only an adequate
merchant marine would give 1t, but
also that the American hemisphere AS
Al whole should enjoy like independ.
ence and self sulIiciency, IL II is not
TO be drawn into the tangle of Euro
pean affairs. Without such independ.
ence the whole question of our polit-
ical unity and self determination is
very seriously clouded and complicated
indeed
Moreover, we can develop no true OF
effective American policy without ships
OF our own-n0t 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
hensioD, confidence aud mutual de
pendence In which we wish to clotht
our policy OF America for Americans.
The task OF building up an adequat,
merchant marine for America privat,
capital must ultimately undertake and
achieve, ms II has undertaken ant
achieved every other like task among
as III the past, with admirable enter
prise. Intelligence aud yigor, and 4
seems TO me Il manifest dictate of wis
dom that we should promptly remov,
every legal obstacle that may stand Il
the way OF this much to he desired re
vival of our old Independence an,
should facilitate IN every possible way
the building. purchase and American
registration OF ships. But capital can
not accomplish this great task of ,
sudden. II must embark upon II b,
degrees. as the opportunities OF trad,
develop. Something must be done II
once. done 10 open routes and develoI
opportunities where they are as ye
undeveloped, done to open the arteric
OF trade where The currents have no
yet learned to run, especially between
the two American continents, wher
they are. singularly enough, yet to b
created and quickencd. and 1t is cvI
dent that only the government can IN
aertake such beginnings and assum
the initial financial risks When IN
Iisk has passed and private capital b,
gins to find its way In sufficient abui
Aonea Inf ..l.u al I,a