The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1915-12-10

whether we will or not. There is. for ex-
ample, q very pressing question Of trade
and shipping involved In this great problem
Of National adequacy. It 10 necessary for
many weighty reasons of National efficiency
and development that we should nave Q
great merchant marine. The great merchant
fleet we once used to make US rich. that
carry our flag into every sea, and who were
the pride and often the bulwark of the
Nation, we have almost driven out Of ex-
istence by inexcusable neglect and indiffer-
ence and by hopeiessiy blind and pro-
vincial policy of so-called economic protec-
tIon 1t is high time we repaired our mis-
take and resumed our commercial inde-
pendence on the seas.
For it is a question Of independence If
other nations 10 to war or seek to hamper
each others commerce. our merchants, 1t
seems are at their mercy, to do with as they
please. We must use their ships. and use
enough of our own. We cannot handle our
own commerce on the seas Our independ-
ence 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 rivalry Of their own trade,
and are without means to extend our COM
merce even where the doors are wide open
and our goods are desired. Such q position
is not to be endured. 1t Is Of capital impor-
tance not only that the United States
should be it's own carrier on the seas and
enjoy the economic Independence which only
an adequate merchant marine would give 1t,
but also that the American hemisphere as q
whole should enjoy like Independence and
self-suffiency, II II is not to be drawn
Into the tangle of European affairs. With
out such independence the whole question
OF our political unity and self determine
tion is very seriously clouded and complicat-
ed indeed.
Moreover, we can develop no true or ef-
fective Amrican policy without ships of our
own--not ships of war. but ships OF peace,
carrying goods and carrying much more:
creating friendships and rendering indis-
pensable 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, comprehension,
confidence and mutual dependence in which
we wish to clothe our policy of America for
Americans. 34F -
The task Of building up an adequate mer-
chant marine for America private capital
must ultimately undertake and achieve, as
1t has undertaken and achieved every other
like task amongst us In the past, with ad-
mirable enterprise. Intelligence and vigor;
and 1t seems to me manifest dictate Of
wisdom that we should promptly remove
every legal obstacle that may stand in the
way Of this much-to- be e-desired revival of
our old Independence and should facilitate
In every possible way the building, purchase,
and American registration of ships. But cap
sudden 1t 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 undeyeloped done to open the ar
teries Of trade whore the currents have not
yet learned to run--especially between the tive
American continents. where they are sin
Eularly enough, yet to be created and quick
ened; and 1t is evident that only the Gov
ernment can undertake such beginnings and
assume the initial financial risks. When the
risk has passed and private capital begins
to find Its way In sufficient abundance into
these new channels. the Government may
Ship Purchase Plan Declared Urgent
with view to meeting these pressing me-
cesstiss of our commerce and availing our
selves at the earliest possible moment of
the present unparalleled opportunity of link
Ing the two Americas together in bonds Of
mutual interest and service, an opportunity
which may never return again II we miss
1t now, proposals will be made to the pres
ent 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 par
ticulars / recommend these proposals to
you for your prompt acceptance with the
more confidence because every month that
has elapsed since the former proposals were
made has made the necessity for such action
need was then foreseen: 1t is now acutely
felt and everywhere realized by those for
whom trade is waiting but who can fnd no
conveyance for their goods. am not so
much interested In the particulars of the
programme as I am In taking immediate
advantage of the great opportunity which
awaits us IL we will but act n this emer-
gency. In this matter. as In all others a
spirit of common counsel should prevail,
and out of 1t should come an early solution
of this pressing problem,
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 policy towards the
Philippines and the people of Porto Rico.
Our treatment OF them and their attitude
towards us are manifestly of the first con-
sequence in the development of our duties
in the world and In getting free hand to
perform those duties. We must be free from
every unnecessary burden or embarrassment;
and there is no better way to be clear of en-
barrassment than to fulhll our promises and
promote the interests of those dependent on
and reform Of the government Of the Phil
ipplnes and for rendering fuller political
Justice to the people Of Porto Rico were sub
mitted to the esd Congress. They will be
submitted also to YOU. need not particu-
larize their details. You are most of you
already familiar with them. But do rec
ommend them to your early adoption with
the sincere conviction that there are few
measures you could adopt which would Llors
serviceably clear the way for the great poll
cies by which we wish to make good, now
and always our right to lead In enterprises
OF peace and good will and economic and po-
litical freedom.
The plans for the armed forces Of the
Nation which have outlined and for the
general policy of adequate preparation fol
mobilization and defense. involve Of COURSE
very large additional expenditures of none,
Expenditures which will considerably eI
coed the estimated revenues Of the Govern
ment. 1t is made my duty by law, when
ever the estimates of expenditure exceed th'
estimates of revenue, TO call the attention o.
the Congress- to the fact and suggest an!
means of meeting the deficiency that !
may be wise or possible for me to suggest
am ready to believe that 1t would be m,
duty to do so In any case; and feel partic
ularly bound to speak of the matter when ]
appears that the deficiency will arise directl.
out of the adoption by the Congress OF meas
ures which myself urge 1t to adopt. ALLOW
me. therefore, to speak briefly of the presen
state OF the Treasury and OF the fisca
problems which the next year will probabl
disclose.
Additional Revenue Required.
On the 30th of June last there was q
available balance in the general fund OF tn
Treasury OF $104, ITO, 1057S. The total esti
| mated receipts fir the year 1915. on the as
| sumption that the emergency revenue meas
ure passed by the last Congress will not b
extended beyond Its present limit, the Bis
OF December, 1915 and that the present dut
of cent per pound on sugar will be discon
tinued after the LIST of May, 1915. will b
$6T0, 365, 500. The balance Of June last an
/ these estimated revenues come, therefore, I
a grand total of s774,5s5. COSTS. The tots
estimated disbursements for the present ftscf
year including s25.0o0.0o0 for the Panam
Canal, $12,000,O00 for probable deficiency ar
preparations, and $4,000 for miscellaneou
debt redemptions. will be s753 3s91, 600; an
the balance In the general fund Of tn
Treasury will be reduced to $40. .644, sos. u
The emergency revenue act, II continued be
yond Its present time Limitation, would pre-
duce, during tho half year then remaining
about k4i, goo, 900. The duty of / cent ps
pound OF sugar, II continued would produs
during the two months OF the fiscal yes
remaining after the first of May. about SIS
100000 These two sums. amounting t
gether to $58,0oo000. II added to the rev
Bryan Cited In Libel Suit.
\ New York-William ]. Bryan ws
|