The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1915-12-07
United States Must Be
Its Own Carrier

For It is question OF indepen j.
ence. II other nations 60 TO war or
seek to hamper each Ohter's COM
Inerce. our merchants. II seems, are at
tneir mercy, to do with as they please,
We must use their ships, and use them
as they determine. We have not ships
enough for our own. We cannot han :
die our own commerce on the seas.
Our Independence IL provincial, and
Is only on land and within our own
borders We are not likely to be per-
mitted to use even the ships OF other
nations In rivalry OF their own trade.
commerce even where the doors are
wide open and our goods desired. Such
q situation IL not to be endured. 1t IL
OF capital Importance hot only that
tho United States should be Its own
carrier on the seas and enjoy the eco
nomic Independence which only an
adequate merchant marine would give
1t, but also that the American hem
isphere as a whole should enjoy =
like Independence and self-Hufhci-
ency, IL it is not to be drawn into the
tanRle of European affairs. without
such independence the whole Ques-
tion OF our political 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 carrying much more; creating
friendships and rendering indispens-
able services to all interests on this
side the water. They must move con-
stantly back ana forth between the
| Americas. They are the only shuttlos
that can weave the delicate fabric Of
4 sympathy. comprehension, confidence
and mutual dependence in which we
/ yfoh IN oil Nc Toe
| for Americana.
The task of building up an ade.
quRte merchant marine for America
private capital must ultimately un-
| dertake and achieve, as II has under.
| taken and achieved every other like
| task amongst us in the past, with
admirable enterprise. intelligence, ant
/ vigor; and IL seems to me a mani.
fest dictate of wisdom that W.
| should promptly remove every lega
| obstacle that may stand in the way
OF this much to be desired reviva
of our old independence and SHOULD
facilitate In every possible way TIT
| building, purchase, and American
| registration OF ships. But capital can
not accomplish this great task of
degrees. as the opportunities of trad
develop. Something must be done a
once: done to open routes and devel
op opportunities where they are a
| Yet uOno TO open Tn
arteries of trade where the current
have not yet learned 20 run--especial
ly between the two American con
tinents. where they are. singularI
enough, yet to be created and quick
ened; and 1t Is evident that only tn
Government can undertake such be
ginnings and assume the initial nm
ancial risks. When the risk has pass
ed and private capital begins to I'm
It's way in sufficient abundance int
these new channels, the Governni en-
may withdraw. But IL cannot omi
to begin. II should take the frs
steps, and should take them at ono,
Our goods must not lie piled up a
our ports and stored upon side track
in freight cars which are daily need
ed on the roads: must not be LEI
without means OF transport to an
; foreign quarter We must not AVA
the permission of foreign Bhip-owu
: ers and foreign governments to sen
them where we will.