New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-14
SAYS NATION FAILS
TO PROTECT TRADE
w. Morgan Shuster Calls
Position of America
"IgnominiOuS."
PLEADS FOR STRONG
DEFENSIVE FORCE
Secretary RedfieId Also Speaks
on War Peril at Queens
Commerce Dinner.

"lf 10 bt our intention TO restore the
fac OF the Unitcd States to some re-
spectacle position on the high seas. let
as pay at the same time some attention
TO the protection Of the trade in which
we are urging our merchants TO in
vest"
This was the key sentence in the
speech Of W Morgan Shuster, former
Treasurer General Of Persia, at the
fourth annual dinner Of the Chamber Of
Commerce Of Queens, held at the Wal
dorf last night
OF am not in politics" said Mr.. Shus-
ter. land ! have not a provincial view
Of this question. for [ have spent the
last fifteen years outside of the coun-
try. ln my mind ~ rs a severe attack
against the intelligence Of the Amcrl-
can people that. with the facts always
before them. this nation should occupy
the IgnominIOus position II does with
regard TO ITS flag on the high seas.
with all our potential wealth, sci
cncc. brain and genius we have not
succeeded in meeting the great world
questions. II is only now, when
great calamity has tied the hands OF
the great nations Of the world, that We
turn our minds to their solution.
fortunately. there seems 20 have
come an era of betterment," he con-
tiuued. 81 feel that the most optimistic
sigr before As is the fact that there
is a marked tendency i'm those IN charge
OF our welfare to make sure that the
business interests OF the country are
on a sound basis"
Mr.. Shustor continued to say that
although only a miracle could involve
the nation IN war. except 1t be pro-
voked By the aggression OF some un-
scrupulous power, the United states
has never sufficiently taken TO heart
that possibility and the question OF
adequate provision against II.
There is q movement on foot nc
said. "to inspect our defensive equip
mcnt. cannot conceive of question
more IN accordance with business vel
fare than that. To The one objection
that If we strengthen our army ana
navy too carefully we may want 10
use 10 for aggression, ] answer That,
If America wants to MAINTAIN us
peaceful reputation by maintaining an
inadequate force. ]. TOO, want the IN
ADEQUATE force. but in the meanwhile
/ shall continue 10 believe IN more
adequate protection than We now have.
81 want us 90 have a sufficient force
fo nrotact ourselves If we are chal-
leuged. ! want IL because our high
mindeduess may be considered state
of weakness among powers that DO
not think as We do
Other speakers at the dinner were
William &. Redfeld, Secretary OF the
Department Of Commerce; Frederick
+. Crane. Justice Of the Supreme Court,
and Edward +. Mccall. chairman OF the
Public Service Commission.
Secretary Redfeld summed up the
condition OF the United States IN TINS
way:
"Of course. the shadow Of the war is
over US all. Happily. We ourselves are
not only at peace, but we are peaceful.
W. threaten none and no one seeks our
ill., The affairs Of the belligerents are
i'm our keeping. and, despite what patrl-
otto devotees may hear and say, thlnk
the world knows that America Is mold
ing the even balance OF goodwill as
far as is humanity possible.
"Our resources are undiminlshed. The
land abounds in wealth. Our Golfers
are full and running over. We are
sought for i'm all lands as the one Sc
cure source Of supply. But We are on
the road to still better things.