The sun., 1916-01-09
ON WAR AS SEEN BY "SN CORRESPOND
BRITISH SHIPS FEW,
TRADE ILLS GROW
Demands of War on TONNAGE
Affect Home Market. and
Possibilities Alarm.
Z. S. FEARED AS RIVAL.
Special co,yespoadesce TO TnE srS.

Special co,vespoadesce TO TnE stS.
LONDON, Dec. 3l.--Coming demand.
for large quantities Of shipping for trans.
port purposes for the allied armies
the nature OF which | am not permitted
TO state. but which will doubtless I've re-
vealed before lone--bid fair to pu, .h.'
British and allied mercantile marines
under q great strain and bring about +,
consequent increase Of frelgh,s, q natter
that Is already causing grea, concern I,
business interests and 10 n. British
Government.
British shipping interests fear that the
profit by this state Of affairs. Taking
- his toxt the rumored proposals for
the purchases OF German vessels la.d up
IN American ports. the naval core
spondent of the Times gives the f1los.
ing interesting review OF tho situation
from a British point Of view:
Tho Scandinavian nations are bent
on developing their mercantile reets and
sales OF their vessels are prohibited
They are engaging also In voyages
hitherto made by British ships. In me
annual message to Congress President
Wilson made a strong point OF the nsces.
s!ty for augmenting the mercAttis
marine OF the United States and resum.
Ing their commercial Independence On
the seas Reports are also cIrrent that
certain British lines have been for,i
10 reduce their sAillngs TO consider.
able extent. The subject is one OF great
moment to this nation. not only hecauss
the maintenance OF an effective and
sufficient navy depends uT.n fou-.s,
ing commerce, but also be vluse d.
scarcity Of merchant shipp,rs may cad
TO a deficiency of food and other noes.
saries Of life in these islan nds.
Prices vs. Tonnage.
Some time ago a complain. was made
THAI ship owners were charging eNcessys
freignts, thus bringing about al a..
van e in the prices OF many Necessary
commodities. The genera advance ~
prices. however, is really - used hy tho
scarcity Of shipping.
the gradual depletion OF Br.tisn to-.
mage available for commercial purposes
those most pressing being tire number Of
enemy vessels laid up in reign ppr's
losses and insufficient facilities for p,
placement and the demands OF the navy
for auxiliary warships and trans or's
The German and Austro-Hl "a .af
fleets have been driven out o. the ear
ing trade, Russian ships are mainly
shut up in the Baltic and Black sea
Those Of neutral nations find more ta.-
enough to do to cope with thc.r own 49,.
nanced opportunities OF trade. at ireir
exceeding those of our own ship owL,.-
The destruction wrought by sIe-
marine and mine on Britsh. allied aa-
neutral ships. although not larg, ~
portionately TO the numbers usr. ;..
seas, mas greater effect on those 81.
gagged In the commercial work, D. H;s.
( they are the chief sufferers Nev-r.
theless, for many months after ~, 0...
/ break OF war the tonnage emplUy,1 Q.
this manner continued at its normal vo.,
: ume, showing that the losses due ~ ;as
activity OF both oyeIsea and uaaerse.
raiders did not AFFECT It TO any apPre,
able degree. II these losses from ,a,
action OF the enemy were beng mas
good by shipbuiders, they would no; e..
/ barrass the trade 10 any great ,Nte.t
our resources in this direction. LUa-
ever. are being utilized for another 'gr.
pose. There has, indeed been "a = NJ
revival of the production OF new M.r.
! camille tonnage, but the h.ga s,lIGtrI
Of prices for ships built ig reasonable
time initiates against any large OF !.n-
mediate relief in this Direction
The principal cause of tie scar,,ty
is the large number OF merchant vesses
/ !sif D.. - Iaf