The patriot. (Glenmora, La.) 1918-1955, 1919-04-18

to point where the American fleet is balancing
the American factory and agricultural resources.
Plan Fleet of 100000 Tons.
Briefly, the American policy is to create Meet
of something like 100000 tons by 1921 and 10
100000 eventually. This will help replace the
ships lost in war and needed by the world at large
and will put the American merchant marine on its
feet
Eventually we will try to operate fleet OF JUST
a bit more than rightful so per cent, since we
expect to have constantly growing South Amer
lean trade that should be handled in American
boats much possible.
While America is looking at the ship business
on sort Of $3.50 plan. the British view the whole
situation from an entirely different point OF view.
They could not possibly operate on policy that
would fit American ideals and plans for the future.
The British, industrially and geographically, diner
too much from America to permit them to follow
q program similar to ours.
Here are the main points where the policies or
the two countries differ the authority of the
best-informed American ship men here In Paris:
America will operate her ships on a nonproht
basis The fleet will be considered, during the
next few years. as adjunct to Americas re-
sources, n servant of our farms and factories.
The British In the meantime, will continue their
policy of operating ships for profit. Shipping
with them is a business in itself, business that
Is supposed to pay, and does pay, satisfactory
dividends.
While the Americans consider ships as means
toward an end-that is the building up of a for
eirn trade the British will operate their ships for
the profit that is made by ships. They are in the
game TO make money out Of carrying tonnage
across the seven seas-they have acquired the
heritage of Tyre and they intend holding their
heritage
We will both be great sea powers. Britain will
endeavor to have all the tonnage she can; Amer
lea win strive TO keep up frst-ciass fleet that
can transport overseas so per cent of our imports
and exports which is our just share of deep-sea
traffic. And we will also take on, as the months
mass and as the world gradually returns to the
wovs of peace, goody proportion of the South
American trade. providing plans Of the American
officials do not 60 awry
How viii America and Britain achieve the aims
Of their big shipping men? What is the job ahead
for American ship yards? What will the entry of
America mean In the world business of shipping?
These questions represent some Of the out
standing points Of the whole situation.
British shipbuilders and owners, who are now
,,rotesting against continuation Of governmental
control. will build something like 100000 tons of
cbins In the next two years. possibly more, in or
dar to hiring the British mercantile marine up to
ia 100000 tons, according to the British chamber
Il of shipping in London.
II is expected that the American shipyards win
Ia eanable of turning out 100000 tons In the
naxt two years. If both programs are realized the
world will have returned to better than prewar
footing In the matter of ships. When the peace
conference started there was world shortage of
something like G,O00.000 tons. Some experts esti-
mated the deficit at 9.O0lO00.
One OF the things we can expect from the Amer
lean shpyn.ds Is better LOT Of ships than the