New-York tribune., 1919-03-23
United States Ready to Lead World
In Expansion of Merchant Marine,
Says Hurley After European Inquiry

the war, the steam seagoing merchant
marine had increased to 1866 vessels
of 4,685,263 gross tons and the sail
ing vessels and schooner barges had
decreased to TAT vessels of S29 9,917
gross tons, making a grand total of
2,l13 seagoing merchant vessels of
5,515,180 gross tons.
Eighty-three Vessels Seized
"This does not include the seized
enemy vessels, which at the end of
the war aggregated 83 vessels of 562,-
005 gross tons, of which number 81
of 546,210 gross tons were steamers,
and seven of 1876 gross tons were
sailing vessels.
"The total construction in the United
States added to the merchant marine
during the war amounted to 875 vessels
of 2,94l ,S45 gross tons. The purchase
from aliens of 233 vessels of S33.854
gross tons, the movement from the
Great Lakes to the ocean of 66 steam
ers of 139,469 gross tons, and miscella-
neous acquisitions amounting to 81
vessels, Of 1929 gross tons, are other
sources of acquisition.
ia Ships Lost in War
"The loss Of ia vessels, of 322,214
gross tons, by enemy action, of 278
vessels of 405,400 gross tons by marine
risk, of 130 vessels of 268,149 gross
tons by sale to aliens and of "a vessels
of 149,761 gross tons through the sale
to the United States government, aban-
donment and other causes, accounts for
the decreases. Losses of Is German
and requisitioned ships amounting to
112.248 gross tons are not included.
"Io day we are potentially the great
est maritime power of the earth, for
the reason that we possess the great
est shipbuilding instrumentalities.
Britain Lost IS Per Cent
Mr.. Hurley stated that Great Britain
suffered net loss in the war of
3,443,000 gross tons, amounting to 18
per cent of her entire tonnage Other
nations which suffered heavy losses in
clude Norway, which lost 1,178,335
gross tons; France, 9O7,168 gross tons:
Italy, 852,124 gross tons; Greece, 337,-
545 gross tons; Denmark, 239,922 gross
tons, and Sweden, POI, ,733.
Every effort is being made by each
OF these nations, Mr.. Hurley asserted
TO regain their former maritime stand
ing:
The ambitions of some of the othe,
great nations in the matter of expand
ing their merchant marine NAV he
summarized from the report as fol.
lows:
In view of Frances large losses, anc
the utilization of her shipyards fo,
the production Of war material, thu.
preventing new construction, France
through her Navy League, represent
ing shipping companies and shipbuild
ing industries, has asked Presden
Wilson to approve and support thes,
three proposals:
l. That German and Austrian shin
ping be given to France to replace he,
losses ton for ton.
2. That French shipowners be en-
abled Immediately to buy 100000
tons of ships built in Great Brtai,
and 100000 tons of ships built il
America.
3. That French ship owners be en-
abled Immediately to construct il
American shipyards 100000 tons O
cargo steamers.
Italy's Ambitions High
The war loss of approximately /,
100000 gross tons, more than half he
fleet as it existed at the beginning O
the war, seems to have inspired ltal
with high ambitions for the future O
CnCOUf
aging shipbuilding and it has bee
estimated that in three years the ltal
ian merchant feet will exceed 4,0OO
900 gross tons.
For the period of the war Japan ha
not only added strength to her ow
merchant navy, but has undertake
the building of merchant vessels fo
foreign account. At the crux of tn
military situation in France tn
United States, which had already OF
tained through charter and purchas
about 100000 deadweight tons of shir
ping from Japan, gave her yards con
tracts for thirty more vessels whic
are in rapid courses of construction
For 1919 Japan has a programme O
191 steamers of 1,189,28O deadweigh
tons. The maximum capacity of he
yards is 100000 deadweight tons.
At the end of 1918 Sweden had fit
ships Of approximately $4,000 deac
weight tons under construction, rec
ord in Swedish shipbuilding. Swede
is hampered by lack of raw matera
but is prepared to go ahead on er
larged scale when raw materials be
come available.
Norway Builds Yards
In Norway several new yards hav
been built and old yards put in re
pair. Is now getting necessary ra
material and will endeavor to replac
her own losses and expand her mel
chant fleet.
Other maritime nations among tn
Allies and neutrals are looking to th
replacement Of war losses and the uI
building of their merchant fleet
through purchase and new construt
ton. Germany, Austria and Turke
undoubtedly will have to wait upo
u adjustment of internal conditions an
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