The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-05-09
.MKELLAR WILL
WORK FOR GREAT
|. MERCHANT FLEET
Senator Regards This as One
of Most important Matters
Before New Congress-.
Leaves for Capital Soon.

Senator Kenneth D. Mcclellan intends
to use his every effort in the new con-
gress, which will convene in extra ses-
sion on May 10, toward securing a great
merchant marine for the United States.
He believes this is the most impor-
tant matter that will come before the
new congress, so far as the future
growth and prosperity of this country is
concerned.
He will leave for Washington soon,
possibly Saturday night, in order to
confer with other Democratic leaders
before the assembling Of congress.
he does not anticipate any special
diitlculty In the senate over the ratifi-
cation OF the peace treaty or the
clauses embodying the league of ma
tons, and is inclined to think that the
apprehension expressed by some sem
ators over the news that the president
military alliance with Great Britain
and France is unfounded. -
Speaking Of the important measures
with which the congress will have to
deal. he said Friday:
THE first business of the new con-
| gress, of course, will be the disposition
of the leftover appropriation bills.
Il take it that the disposition of the
railroads, the disposition of the wires
n our policy as to the merchant ma
rine will be the three great questions
before the new congress.
ut seems certain that the railroads
and the wires will be restored to their
owners.
II am greatly in hopes that our gov
eminent will proceed with all possible
dispatch to building up the greatest
merchant marine in the world. 1t is
u one opportunity to Become the lead
ing maritime nation Of the world, My
own view is that we should let nothing
deter us from taking u proper place
on the seas.
"Ah a corollarv to the building OF
our merchant marine we must provide
for acquiring foreign trade, and neces-
sarily we must establish agencies and
work, out plans that will secure this
trade,
"As a further corollary we must use
our inland waterways as feeders to this
merchant marine. There Is no reason
why the great Mississippi river should
not be SO used as to carry more ton
mage than any other river in the world.
We have got the tonnage n We have
got the waterfall Ii needs Is the nee
essary laws and enterprise and we hope
to furnish both"
Regarding the proposed military
treaty with England, which the United
States is asked to join for the protec-
tioi Of France from possible aggression
by Germany, Senator Mcclellan said:
"Of course, until we see what is rec
commended in the proposed alliance with
France and England. or whether there
Is such an alliance recommended at all.
it is impossible to give an opinion. ]
am absolutely sure that the president
Is not going to enter into or to recon-
mend any secret or private agreement.
l doubt If any agreement Of any kind
is recommended.
1T will be recalled that even when
we went into the war this country, un-
| der the presidents leadership, declined
to enter into any agreement with the
allies or any Of them. but WI declared
war on Germany and simply cooper
ated with the allies without agreement.
again, If Germany agrees to the
peace terms. and the morning dis
patches say that she is going to agree
to these terms, it would seem that
neither France nor any other country
need have any fears of aggression upon
the part of Germany. Her army and
navy are reduced to almost nothing and
she is placed in such a condition as not
to be dangerous to even Belgium. much
IeSq Franco