The Washington times., 1915-10-04


coast OF the United states and the
Orient to be practically paralyssd7
II there II truth in . report made
by Consul General George u. Ander-
son from Hongkons on the effects Of
recent shipping changes in the Pa
cific. American business In that part
Of tho world has been hard HIT and
will be struck still harder blows. Mr..
Anderson sees in the meantime great
gains OF business by Japanese ship
ping lines.
The report Of Mr.. Anderson 10 apro-
pos Of the sale of the vessels Of the
Pacific Mail Steamship Company to
also OF the fact that the vessels OF Of
the Dollar Line are no longer touch-
ing United States ports, but are sery.
Ing between Honskons and Canadian
ports only.
Crisis in Shipping.
Consul General Anderson does not dis
cuss the question whether the La Fol-
lette seamen's bill has had anything to
do with the situation. He does declare.
however. that crisis has come in ship
ping on the Pacific. His report is sure
TO arouse much comment In Congress,
where the seamen's measure will pro-
woke much debate. and where efforts
for repeal will be made.
The picture painted by Mr.. Anderson
Is decidedly gloomy one for Ameri-
can shipping and other business on the
Pacific. II he IL right. then japanese
shipping and business interests have been
presented with n rare opportunity to
increase profits and to expand.
Mr.. Anderson says the Pacific Mail Il
prepared to wind up Its business In the
Far East completely, The personnel "a
ssnT notified IN. Of fo, toS %s
steamers they can return on to America
and that they will not be employed
when they reach the United States. In
Honskong. the offices of the company
ceptionally favorable Office location ha.
teen taken over by the Nippon Yuser
kalsha. competing Japanese com.
pany.
Freight Pilins Up.
| The business Of the company, In
short. Is being wound up Immediately. .
Is the report Of Mr.. Anderson.
| Going into details Of the Pacin,
freight and passenger service situation
Mr.. Anderson represents that freight
has been piling UP more than shipI
|
the Pacific Mail vessels out Of the trade
he asserts passenger facilities will b,
utterly inadequate.
Ono statement In his report Is:
| This shortage will be serious. ant
viii materially affect American trad,
freight situation has been unfavorabi.
to American trade. particularly the ex
port OF American steel and oil products
ana .u, other heavy goods: Trade II
Ally bri.k because Of the war in Europe
Many lines Of American trade in thi,
part OF the world which have beef
built up after years Of effort and care
ful nursing depend very largely upor
steamship service. Other lines Of trad,
which the United States has com
menced to enter with notable success
are hampered and American interesti
lack Of freight facilities and the higi
price Of freishts due to inadequate
According to Mr.. Anderson. the &c.
rious shortage OF available ships before
all American trade In the Pacific. The
situation presented. in fact. Is an i'm.
possible one"
| Striking features Of the report dea
with the policy Of the Japanese lines tc
conserve Japanese business and serve
| Supuhcbe lHuubtTleb anu Shippers
preference to others: and with tho fac,
that the only expansion Of lines LEFT
in the service will be on the part oi
the Japanese. The Japanese lines art
said to be making every effort to seize
teh trade Of the Pacific Mail as II re
linauishes Its business.
Trade Will Be Paralyzed.
Mr. Anderson predicts that II there
Is a strain on freight facilities this au
humn and the Japanese government
sees that preference is given by Jap.
anese lines to Japanese interests. ther,
will be no cargo whatever taken to the
west coast OF the United States from
HangkonG and South China generally
from the Philippines. North China. OF
from India and the East Indies by usua
transshipNnent at Hongkong. In othel
words. the Zntire trade In Chinese prod
ucts, In tL- more valuable cargoes from
the Philippines and the gunny trade OF
India to the west coast will be par
| alvZed.
Mr.. Anderson says that bad as 1t |