The Washington times., 1915-07-30
NO NEED TO PASS SPECIAL LAWS.

There's no need Of passing special
laws to establish Government ocean
shipping lines. or any kind. at this time.
1t would be bad business and worse
politics.
"Japan's annexation Of China-for that
Is practically what has taken place, and
1t Is the biggest result Of the war In
Europe. perhaps the biggest one that
will come-means that in the next few
years Japan will absorb all the China
trade away from the Germans and the
British. 1t is the biggest trade Of either
country. and 1t Is going to be taken over
by Japan. There may be some need Tor
manipulation Of tariffs and administra-
tive regulations. but all that will be
managed easily enough BY the Japanese
diplomats. They have been working for
years toward this end: the var In Eu-
rope opened the opportunity unexpect-
'When the japanese are able to exc
cute their plans. the China trade will go
into Japanese bottoms, which Will be
built to accommodate it; It Will go by
way of Japanese ports. and will be to a
great extent in wares manufactured In
Japan.
Many Ships Idle.
That change will leave vast tonnage
of European ships idle, and these ships
will be available for American use at
prices 90 much lower than present fig
ures. based on wartime tolls. that we
can hardly conceive what 1t will mean.
No need to worry about ships to carry
American trade five years from now.
They will be fiocking here from all quar-
tiers Of the world"
The speaker frankly avowed that he
did not. look forward to the future In
the commercial east with much salts
faction. He knows China. Japan. India.
and their commercial positions. apd he
decade after this war ends. Japan.
securely dominating China. will be the
most powerful nation in the world. 1t
will be able from the myriads Of Chine
that be necessary; and It will organize
China to a military and economic
t efficiency i that mtr,G wi! make it huge fig
But the frst striking effect on
America. 1t was insisted. will be felt
in the revolution OF maritime shipping
conditions. The Japanese are great
tions to dominate the marine Of the
East as Britain has controlled that OF
the West. The war will give them their
opportunity, for a great deal OF Occl-
reason of wars extraordinary demands.
and thus the Japanese will work their
way in.
Unprecedented Opportunities.
For like reasons Japan will have un-
precedented opportunities to establish
itself in a stronger relation to China's
general business. Japanese manufac-
lures will expand to- take care Of the
needs that Europe has in the past sup
piled.
1T Is all we'll enough" proceeded this
commentator, ito talk about the repeal
or reorganization Of the La Toilette
seamen's act at the coming session OF
Congress; but 1t will not be done. Why?
Because, no matter what its merits as
an economic measure. whether 1t Is or
is not driving shipping away from
American registry. the Eastland disas-
ter in Chicago will serve to prevent any
that constitute SO important a part Of
the law. 1t Is possible that the law
might have been reformed somewhat by
the coming Congress. had not that hor-
ror in Chicago served to rivet attention
again on the very problems of safety
at sea that inspired the law With
that fearful affair fresh IN the public
mind. talk about making it possible to
operate American ships more cheaply
will get a poor hearing
This view Of the shipping situation. 1t
may be said. Is entertained by good
many people IN Washington' 1IS.9 The i'm,
mistake has been without doubt gain
ing ground. and there was in process of
organization strong movement 70
have it repealed or fundamentally modi,
fed. Today. the best advice that could
be given to people anxious to secure
such ends. is to keep very still for an
Indefinite time; congrsss will meet In In
December, and very shortly VII order
cident; an inquiry that will go into the
whole matter of safety. inspection, and
the like.
May. Strengthen Act.
The chances are that instead of re-
pealing the seamens act there will be
more effort to strengthen it. The men
who carried on the long campaign end
Ing in its passage. are equipping them
selves with store Of data concerning
its workings. and the claim that II
should be repealed. and they have nc
Idea OF being defeated. The attack on
their law will be met with an insistence
that the act be made more rigorous
than ever.