The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1915-12-08

Moreover, we can develop no true or ef- |
fective 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 |
indispensable services to all interests on |
this side the water. They must move |
constantly back and forth between the |
Americas. They are the only shutties |
that can weave the delicate fabric of
sympathy, comprehension. confidence and |
mutual dependence IN which we wish to
ciotne our policy of America for Ameri- |
cans.
The task Of building I'D an adequate
merchant marine for America private cap
ttal mast ultimately undertake and
achieve, as 1t has undertaken and achiev-
ed every other like task among US in the
past. with admirable enterprise. intelli-
gence and yigor, and 1t seems to me q
manifest dictate of wisdom that we should
promptly remove every legal obstacle that
may stand In the way OF this much to be
desired revival OF our old Independence
and should facilitate In every possible
way the building, purchase and American
registration Of ships. But capital cannot
accomplish this great task Of a sudden.
II must embark upon 1t by degrees, as
the opportunities Of trade develop some
thing 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
De created and Quickened, and 1t Is evil
dent that only the government can un-
dertake such beginnings and assume the
initial financial risks When the risk has
passed and private capital begins to find
LIE way IN sufficient abundance into these
new channels the government may with
draw. But 1t cannot omit to begin It
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 dali
ly needed on the roads, must not be left
without means Of transport to any foreign
quarter. We must not await the permits
sion OF foreign shipownsrs and foreign
governments to send them where we will.
Government Owned Ships.
With view to meeting these pressing
necessities Of our commerce and awaiting
ourselves at the earliest possible moment
OF the present unparalleled opportunity
OF linking the two Americas together In
bonds Of mutual interest and service, an
opportunity which may never return
again IL we miss 1t 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 con-
gress. but modified in some essential par
uculars recommend these proposals to
you for your prompt acceptance with the
more confidence because every month
that has elapsed since the former propo-
sails were made has made the necessity
for such action more and more manifest
ly imperative. That need was then fore
| seen. It Is now acutely felt and every
10 waiting, but who can find no convey
ance for their goods 1 am not so much
| interested in the particulars of the pro-
gram as ! am In taking immediate adj
vantage Of the great opportunity which
awaits US II we win but act in this emer-
gency. In this matter, as in all others. a
spirit OF common counsel should prevail,
| and out OF II should come an early solu-
| ton Of this pressing problem.
1 There Is another matter which seems
to me to be very intimately associated
with the question of national safety and
preparation for defense. That is our pol
icy toward the Philippines and the people
| Of Porto Rico. Our treatment Of them
and their attitude toward US are mani
i testify of the first consequence In the de-
veiopment of our duties In the world and
| in getting free hand to perform those
| duties. We must be free from every un-
necessary burden or embarrassment. and
there Ii no better way to be clear of en-
| barrassment than to fulfill our promises
and promote the interests Of those de-
| pendent on US to the utmost. Bills fol
| ment OF the Philippines and for rendering
fuller political justice to the people OF
Porto Rico were submitted to the Sixty
third congress They win be submitted
also to you. need not particularize theil
details. You are most of you already IA.
niliar with them. But I do recommend
them to your early adoption with the sin
cere conviction that there are few meas
i ures you could adopt which would more
serviceably clear the way for the grea'
policies by which we wish to make good
now and always. our right to lead in en-.
terprises of peace and good will and eco
nomic and political freedom.
Counting the Cost.
i The plans for the armed forces OF thu
nation which ] have outlined and for thu
general policy of adequate preparation fo
mobilization and defense involve, o
course. very large additional expenditure
of money. expenditures which will consid
| erably exceed the estimated revenues o
the government 1t Is made my duty b!
law whenever the estimates of expendi
ture exceed the estimates of revenue t.
call the attention of the congress to tn
fact and suggest any means OF meeting
the deficiency that II may be wise or pos
sible for me to suggest. 1 am ready {,
believe that 1t would be my duty to d,
so in any case. and ! feel PARTICULAR,
bound to speak Of the matter when 1t ap
. pears that the deficiency. will arise di
rectly out of the adoption by the con
gress Of measures which l myself urg
; it to adopt. Allow me therefore to speal
briefly of the present state OF the treas
ury and of the fiscal problems which tn
next year will probably disclose.
Il On the 30th Of June last there was a.
available balance in the general fund o
. the treasury of s104. 17o, lo5.7S The total es
timated receipts for the year 1915. on tn
assumption that the emergency revenu
measure passed by the last congress VIII
not be extended beyond its present limit
the s1st Of December. 1915. and that tn
. present duty OF cent per pound on suga
win be discontinued after the LIST of May
1916, win be sS7o.365.50o. The balance O
June last and these estimated revenue
! come therefore to grand total of STA.
. sos. Is. The total estimated disburse
, ments for the present fiscal year, includ
ing twenty-five millions for the Panam
canal, twelve millions for probable def
cheney appropriations and $4,000 for mis-
{ cellaneous debt redemptions. win be S753
, S91.eoo. and the balance in the general fun
lf1Ff ira, xr-stl H., H. 81