The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-03-23

standing" he says. Even Switzerland
has not escaped this desire to acquire
merchant marine"
Switzerland, 1t Is explained. intends
to construct a merchant navy when
canal improvements are made on the
Rhine, which will bring raw materials
in exchange for manufactured goods.
The ambitions Of some Of the other
nations in the matter of expanding their
merchant marine may be summarized
from the report as follows:
France-In view of her large losses
and the utilization of her shipyards for
the production of war material, thus pre-
venting new construction, France.
through her Navy League, representing
shipping companies and shipbuilding in
dustries, has asked President Wilson to
approve and support these three pro-
posals:
That German and Austrian shipping
be given to France to replace her losses
ton for ton.
That French shipowners be enabled
Immediately to buy 100000 tons Of
ships built in Great Britain and 1000. 900
tons Of ships built in America.
That French shipowners be enabled
Immediately to construct in American
shipyards 100000 tons OF cargo
steamers.
Italy-The war loss of approximately
100000 gross tons, more than half her
feet as it existed at the beginning of
the war, seems to have inspired Italy
with high ambitions for the future Of
her merchant marine. She Is encourag-
ing shipbuiiding and It has been esti-
mated that in three years the italian
merchant feet will exceed 1000, 900 gross
tons.
~ t. NAu
Japan--For the period Of the war
Japan has not only added strength to
her own merchant navy but has under
taken the building of merchant vessels
for foreign account. At the crux OF
the military situation in France the
United States, which had already OBJ
tanned through charter and purchase
about 2S0, 900 lightweight tons of ship
ping from Japan, gave her yards con-
tracts for thirty more vessels. which are
in rapid process OF construction. For
1919 japan has a programme or 19l
steamers OF l,lsg,2s0 lightweight tons
The maximum capacity OF her yards Is
], 100000 lightweight tons.
Sweden--At the end Of 1918 had fifty
ships of approximately $4,000 dead
weight tons under construction, a record
in Swedish shipbuildng. is hampered
Dy lack OF raw Hlaterlal, put IL pre-
pared to go ahead on enlarged scale
when raw materials become available.
Norway-Several new yards have
been built and old yards put in repair.
Is now getting necessary raw material
and will endeavor to replace her own
losses and expand her merchant fleet.
O,neI maritime nations among the
Allies and neutrals are looking to the
replacement of war losses and the up
| building OF their merchant fleets through
| purchase and new construction. Ger
many Austria and Turkey undoubtedly
| will have to wait upon adjustment of in
tcrnal conditions and final peace terms
before entering upon a programme for
overseas shipping.
1.-THE labor situation throughout the
| world is vibrant" Mr.. Hurley reports.
| Experience OF earlier generations has
taught US not to expect completely
noiseless turning back OF the war ma
chinery to the uses of peace. Men who
have labored under great strain yield
their attention more readily TO the agi-
tator. The agitators abound. The ten
! dency to DISCRIMINATION has penetrated
4 the labor unions themselves, notably IN
/ England, where strikes have been called
/ without the sanction OF the selected
| leaders.