The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1919-05-24

to a 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 Seet
of something like 100000 tons by 1921 and 90
100000 eventually. This will help replace the
ships lost in 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 as much possible
While America is looking at the ship business
on sort of $3.50 plan, che British view the whole
situation from entirely different point of view.
They Gould not possibly operate on policy that
would fit American ideals and plans for the future.
The British, industrially and geographically differ
too much from America to permit them to follow
q program similar to ours
Here are the main points where the policies Of
the two countries differ the authority Of the
best-iHformed American ship men here in Paris:
America will operate her ships on nonproft
basis. The fleet will be considered, during the
next few years. as an adjunct to Americas re-
sources a servant of our farms and factories.
The British, in the meantime, will continue their
policy of operating ships for profit Shipping
With them is q 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
oon trade the British will operate their ships for
tho nroflt that is made by ships. They are In the
Same 70 make money out Of carrying tonnage
ecross the seven seas-they have acquired the
heritage OF Tyre and they intend holding their
heritage. 49,
We will both be great sea powers. Britain will
ordaavor to have all the tonnage she can; Amer
100 will strive to keep up frstclass fleet that
oon transport overseas 30 per cent Of our imports
ond exports, which is our just share OF deep-sea
+ofTc And we will also take on as the months
mass and as the world gradually returns to the
uovs Of peace goodly proportion OF the South
Amer;can trade providing plans of the American
officials do not go aWry.
How will America and Britain achieve the aims
:. .ho,- hip shipping men? What is the job ahead
for American ship yards! what VIII the entry OF
..,orjca mean in the world business Of shipping?
Tsoso questions represent some of the out
..a,,o noints of the whole situation.
pr,t,sh shipbuilders and owners, who are now
..;ro against continuation of governmental
p..o, r,Il build something like 100000 tons Of
49, q, The next two years. possibly more, in Or
s :. hr,ng the British mercantile marine up to
" 90 nOO tons, according to the British chamber
Of shipping in Lcnoon. .,,,,. ,,,,
- ;. .. axnected that the American shpyards VIII
.hle NJ turning out 100000 tons in the
Oo .rvo years II both programs are realized the
nsA IAN have returned to better than prewar
49,. n the matter Of ships. When the peace
o..rerce started there was world shortage Of
sonnoth,ne like 100000 tons Some experts est
mated the deficit at 9,OooOOO
One OF the things we can expect rom tne amer
..sn sh,nyards is q better lot OF ships than the