The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1919-04-18

to point where the American feet is balancing
the American factory and agricultural resources.
Plan Fleet Of 100000 Tons.
Briefly the American policy is to create a feet
OF something like 100000 tons by 1921 and co.
oOOOOO 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.
bit more than our rightful so per cent. since we
expect to have a constantly growing South Amer
lean trade that should be handled in American
boats as much as possible.
While America is looking at the ship business
a 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 ft American ideals and plans for the future.
The British, industrially and geographically. differ
too much from America to permit them to follow
a program similar to
Here are the main points where the policies OF
the two countries differ on the authority Of the
best-informed American ship men here in Paris:
America will operate her ships n nonproft
basis. The fleet will be considered during the
next few years. an adjunct to Americas re-
sources. servant of our farms and factories
The British, in the meantime. will continue their
policy of operating ships for profit Shipping
with them is business in itself, business that
is supposed to pay. and does pay, satisfactory
dividends.
While the Americans consider ships as a means
toward end-that is the building up Of n for
eign 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 powers. Britain will
endeavor to have all the tonnage she can Amer
lea will strive to keep up frst-class feet that
can transport overseas so per cent OF imports
and exports. which is our just share of deep-sea
traffic And will also take on, as the months
pass and the world gradually returns to the
ways of peace, goodly proportion Of the South
American trade. providing plans Of the American
officials do not go awry.
How will 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
protesting against continuation Of governmental
control will build something like 1900 600 tons of
ships in the next two years. possibly more In or
der to bring the British mercantile marine up to
19OOOOOO tons, according to the British chamber
Il shipping in London.
It Is expected that the American shipyartls will
he capable Of turning out II 100000 tons in the
next two years. If both programs are realized the
world will have returned to better than a prewar
footing in the matter of ships. When the peace
conference started there world shortage of
something like 6.OOO,OOO tons. Some experts esti-
mated the deficit at 9,OO0,0OO.
One of the things expect from the Amer.
lean shpyards is better lot Of ships than the