The Climax-Madisonian. (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1914-1917, 1915-12-08


penoence winch only an adequate
merchant marine would give T. but
also that the American hemisphere as
a whole should enjoy ike lndepend-
ence and self suffciency. II It IL net
to be drawn into the tangie Of Euro
pean affairs without such independ-
ence the whole question Of our polit-
ical unity and self determination -
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 70
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-
pendence in which we wish to cIothe
our policy of America for Americana
The. task OF building up an adequate
merchant marine for America private
capital must ultimately undertake and
achieve, as It has undertaken and
achieved every other like task among
US in the past, with admirable enter
prise, intelligence and vigor. and II
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 II by
degrees. as the opportunities or trade
develop. Something must be done az
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 Quickeaed. and II Is evil
dent that only the government can I'M.
dertake such beginnings and assums
the initial financial risks When the
risk has passed and private capital be-
gins to find fits way In sufficient abuR-
dance into these new channels the gov
ernrnSnt may withdraw. But II can
not omit u begin II should take the
nrst steps, and sl-nld take them at
once. Our goods must nv lie niled mo
at our ports and stored up0s 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 shpowners and
foreign governments TO send them
where we win.
With a view to meeting these press
ing necessities OF our commerce and
availing ourselves at the earliest possi-
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 II we. miss &c
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. bus
modified In some essential particulars.
| 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 moro and more
manifestly imperative That need was
then foreseen- 1t ts1novy acutely felt
and everywhere realized by those for
whom trade is waiting. but who can
find no conveyance for their goods. 4
am not so much interested In the par
iculars Of the program as I am In
taking immediate advantage OF the
great opportunity which awaits Us FL
we will but act in this emergency. Ia
this matter. as in all others. spirit Of
common counsel should prevail. and
out of it should come an early solu-
ton of this pressing problem.
cunIII n AHDEC nM mi INV