The Washington times., 1915-12-07
United States Must Be
Its Own Carrier

For it Is a question of indepen J.
ence. IL other nations go to war or
seek to hamper each ohter's COM
inerce. 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 for our own. We cannot han
die our own commerce on the seas.
Our independence Is 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
and are without means to extend our
commerce even where the doors are
wide open and our goods desired. Such
| q situation IL not to be endured. 1t is
| Of capital importance hot only thet
tho United States should be It's 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 q
| like independence and self -sufici-
ency. IL 1t is not to be drawn into the
tangle 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 TINS
| side the water. They must move con-
stantly back and forth between the
Americas. They are the only1shuttlos
J that can weave the delicate fabric Of
1 sympathy. comprehension, confidence
and mutual dependence in which we
wish to clothe our policy OF America
| for Americans.
The task Of building up an ade.
quate merchant marine for America
private capital must ultimately un.
dertake and achieve, as IT has under.
taken and achieved every other like
task amongst us in the past, with
admirable enterprise. Intelligence, ant
vigor; and 1t 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 shoult
facilitate in every possible way tn,
building, purchase, and American
registration OF ships. But capital can
not accomplish this great task of
sudden. II must embark upon Il b,
degrees. as the opportunities of trad
develop. Something must be done u
once: done to open routes and devel
op opportunities where they are n
yet undeveloped: done to open tn
arteries oi tTaue Wnere the current
have not yet learned to run-especial
ly between the two American con
tinents. where they are. singularl
enough. yet to be created ana quick
, ened; and 1t is evident that only tn
Government can undertake such be
, Iinnings and assume the initial I'm
, aucial risks. When the risk has pa ss
, ed and private capital begins to fin
, its way in sufficient abundance int
these new channels. the Governrh en-
|, may withdraw. But IT cannot omi
to begin. 1t 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 ship-owr
ers and foreign governments to sen
| them where we will