The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-12-08

great problem of national adequacy.
II 10 necessary for many weighty rea-
sons of national efficiency and devei-
opment that we should have a great
merchant marine, The great mer-
chant fleet 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 buiwark Of the nation, we
have almost driven out OF existence
by inexcusablc neglect and indiffer-
ence and by hopelessly blind and
provincial policy of so-cailed' eco
nomic protection. 1t is high time we
repaired our mistake and resumed
our commercial independence on the
seas
For il Is a question OF independ-
ence III other nations go to war or
seek to hamper each others COM
i merce, our merchants, il seems, are at
their mercy. 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
Independence is provincial and liz
only on land and within our own
borders We are not likely to be
permitted to use even the ships of
other nations in rivalry OF their own
trade. and are without means TO ex-
! tend our commerce even where the
doors are wide open and our goods
desired. Such a situation is not to
he endured. II is of capital impor-
! lance not only that the United States
/ should be its 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 whole should enjoy like indie
| pendence and self-sufficiency, II 1t is
not to be drawn into the tangle of
European affairs Without such in.
dependence the whole question OF our
political unity and self-determination
is very seriously clouded and compii-
Gated. indeed.
/ Moreover, we can develop no trne
or effective American policy without
shlps OF our own--nOt ships OF war
but ships OF peace, carrying goods
and carrying much more; creating
friendships and rendering indis-
j., pensable services to all interests on
this side the water. They must move
constantly back and forth between
the Americas They are the only
4 sEuttiss that can weave the delicate
fabric of sympathy, comprehension.
confidence and mutual dependence In
which we wish to clothe our policy
OF America for Americans.
/ Merchant Marine.
The task Of building w al AIDE.
quate merchant marine for America
:; private capital must ultimately un-
dertake and achieve. as IL has under
taken and achieved every other Ike
task amongst us In the past. with
admirable enterprise. intelligence and
dictate of wisdom that We should
ytgor; and it seems TO me q manifest
promptly remove every legal obstacle
that may stand in the way of this
l. N~ ~
old independence ana should facilitate
in every possible way the building.
purchase and American registration of
ships, But capital cannot accomplish
this great task Of a sudden IT must
embark upon II by degrees as the
opportunities OF trade develop. Some
: thing must be done at once; done to
open routes and develop opportunf-
ties where they are as yet undeyel-
oped; done to open the arteries OF
} trade where the currents have not
Vet learned to run--eSpecially be-
= tween the two American continents
; where they are. singulariy enough, yet
to be created and auickehed and il f.
, evident that eniy the Government cdr
undertake such beginnings and as
, sumo the initial financial risks When
/ the risk has passed and private CAPT.
S tai beRins to find it's way in sufficient
$ abundance into these new channels
the Government may withdraw. Blu,
1t cannot omit to begin 1t should
! take the first steps. and should take
, them at once. Our goods must no,
Y lie piled up at our ports and stored
upon sldetracks in freight cars which
' are daily needed on the roads; must
! not be left without means of trans.
port to any foreign quarter. We must
not await the permission Of foreign
snip owners and foreign governments
! TO send them where we will
G With view to meeting these press
: ing necessities of our commerce and
l. awaiting ourselves at the earliest pos
r sibie moment Of the present un-
: paraileled opportunity of linking tht
] TWO Americas together In bonds Of
I mutual interest and service an CD
portunity which may never return
D again II we miss il now. proposals viii
e be made to the present Congress for
G the purchase or construction of sh ,tss
to be owned and directed by the Gov
eminent similar to those made to the
, last Congress, but modified in some
= essentia, particulars recommend
7 these proposals to you for your
i prompt acceptance with the more con-
, hdence because every month that has
D elapsed since the former proposal Is
D we're made has made the nee essity for
such action more and more mani
testify imperative. That need was then
fnreSaen@3;- Is new-afAtitetv- n I'd
everywhere realized by those for
e "hom trade is waiting Int who can
!. hnd no conveyance for their goods
9 am not so much interested in the
particulars of the program rs / am
In taking Immediate advantage of the
a. great opportunity which awaits. Us II
+ We VIII hut act in this emergency
IN this matter az In all others, a sniri,
OF common counsel should prevail
, and ont Of II should come an early
solution Of this pressing problem
!; Colonial Policy.
There is another matter which
$ seems to me TO he very Intimately as
2 ISOLATED with the question of national
SAFETY and preparation for defense
, That is our policy towards the Philip
/ mines and the people OF Porto Rico
, our treatment of them and their at
ttude towards us arc manifestly ot
tho first consequence in tho develop
ment OF our duties In the world and
IN getting free hand to perform,
those duties. We must be free from
, eVery unnecessary burden or emhar-
! rassment; and there lis no better way
+, to be clear of embarrassment than To
/ fulhl our promises and promote the
/ interests az those dependent ,.s-ta
the utmost. Bills for the alteration