Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1915-12-08

great problem or national adequacy.
1t is necessary for many weiGhty rea-
sons of national efficiency and devei-
opment that we should have n great
merchant marine. The great merchant
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
bulwark of the nation, we have almost
driven out of existence by inexcusable
neglect and indifference and by 4 hope
lessly blind and provincial policy OF
so called economic protection. II is
high time we repaired our mistake and
resumed our commercial independence
on the seas.
For it is question of independence
If other nations go to war or seek 30
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 a 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 u like independ
ence and self suficiency, If it 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 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
pendeuce In which we wish to clothc
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 it has underta ken and
achieved every other Ike task among
US in the past, with admirable enter
prise. intelligence and vtgor. and It
seems to me a 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 it 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 # is evi
dent that only the government can IN
dertake such beginnings and assume
the initial financial risks. When the
risk has passed and private capital he
gins to find fits way in sufficient abun-
dance into these new channels the gov
eminent may withdraw. But it can
not omit to begin 1t should take the
first steps, and should take them at
once. Our goods must not lie piled up
at our ports and stored upon side
tracks in freight cars which are daily
needed on the roads, must not be left
without means of transport to any for
eign quarter. We must not await the
permission of foreign shipowners and
foreign governments to send them
where we will.
With n view to meeting these press
ing necessities of our commerce and
availing ourselves at the earliest posi-
BILE moment of the present unparalleled
opportunity of linking the two Ameri-
cas- together in bonds of mutual inter
est and service. an opportunity which
may never return again IL we miss it
now. proposals will be made to the
present congress for the purchase or
construction of ships to be owned and
directed by the government similar to
those made to the last congress. but
modified in some essential particulars.
l recommend these proposals to you
for your prompt acceptance with the
more confidence because every month
that has elapsed since the former pro-
posals were made has made the ne
cessity for such action more and more
manifestly imperative. That need was
then foreseen. 1t is now acutely felt
and everywhere realized by those for
whom trade is waiting. but who can
find no conveyance for their goods. l
am not so much interested in the par
hculars Of the program as I am In
taking immediate advantage of the