The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-03-23
European Nations in Big
Race to Replace Loss
Caused by War.
SEA PAY RATE UNIVERSAL
Yankee Competition Worries
England-Even Swiss to
Have Marine.


board on the result of his mission abroad
TO get Information on the shipping stu
alton OF the world as n result OF tho war.
Mr.. Hurley sailed from New York on
November 16 and returned to this coun-
try on February IL.
In introducing the subject matter Of
his report Mr., Hurley says:
MY observation during the three
months spent abroad and in the midst
of the great events following the sign
ing OF the armistice have afforded con-
vincing proof that the matter OF mer-
chant shipping is now one of universal
interest. Every nation Is alert to the
vital bearing OF ships upon it's future
prosperity. But the chief interest CEN
tres on whether America can henceforth
maintain her new place upon the seas or
whether she must now disband the ener-
giles that brough her merchant feet into
being. There is every reason for believ-
ing that America has come back upon
the ocean-to stay. My observations
compel optimism.
The war has brought US into a high
place as maritime Power I fnd the
peoples OF the world aroused TO an in
\ tense interest and concern as to the use
we are to make Of this power now that
peace Is returned.
In America you have heard much
about British competition. In Great
Britain I heard a great deal more about
American competition. The expressions
of British publicists. newspapers and Of
ficals which came to my attention pro-
vded no grounds for alarm about the
future OF our shipping.
THE lesson learned from the British
was not to concentrate too much upon
the strength OF the competition we must
meet. The truth is that our friends across
the water are for the first time in many
years entering upon period OF actual
competition. II is an era regarding
which l entertain no msgivings. II Is
an age OF promise for those who would
participate In Americas high destiny
upon the peaceful seas"
Commerce Calls for ships.
After stating that the first thing nee
essary Is to know where We stand Mr..
Hurley gives a summary OF the world
ship tonnage situation. He calls atten-
pressed into service during tho war
which were considered unfit for service
before the war and many others were
kept in service long after they would
have been abandoned under normal con-
ditions. The failure OF the normal in
crease in the merchant fleets of the
world for the period OF the war also
must be taken into consideration in COM
putting shortage OF ocean tonnage. The
-, L. ~
there Is an imperative demand for new
ships to carry the commerce OF the
world. and II will be our effort to be OF
service in this direction.
1.-THE United States forged ahead as
rapidly as Germany fell behind" says
Mp. Hurley. an August, 1914, at the
beginning OF the world war. the United
States seagoing merchant marine. SOC
gross tons and over, included 62i steam
ships OF 1.T5s.465 gross tons and $40
sailing vessels and schooner barges OF
OF 1894 seagoing merchant vessels OF
2,706,317 gross tons.
ION November II, 1918. al re enc
OF the war. the steam merchant ma
rine had increased to 1856 vessels Of
4ss5.263 gross tons and the sailing
vessels and schooner barges had de
creased to 747 vessels Of s29.917 Rros,
tons. making grand total OF All,
sesgoing merchant vessels OF 5.515. 49,
gross tons. This does not include tn,
seized enemy vessels. which at the enc
OF the war aggregated eighty-elght yes
sells OF 562.005 gross tons. OF which
number eighty-one of 546,210 gross ton'
were steamers and seven Of 1898 gros.
tons were sailing vessels.
THE total construction in the UniteC
States added to the merchant marin,
during the war amounted to s75 YES
sells of 2.94l,s45 gross tons. The pur
chase from aliens OF ga vessels o
s33,S54 gross tons. the movement 4
tho ocean from the great lakes o
sxty-six steamers of 139.469 gros
tons and miscellaneous acquisition
amounting to thirty-one vessels Of 80,
2is gross tons are other sources o
acquisition.
England I'm Mighty Race.
The loss OF ia vessels of s22.21.
gross tons by enemy action. OF ?7s YES
sells of 405.400 gross tons by marin
risk, of 100 vessels of 26S.14s gross
tons by sale TO aliens and OF sixty-fou
vessels n l1s,7si-ak IS tons thrassni
sale TO tho United States Government
abandonment and other causes eccount
for the decreases. Losses of fifteel
seized German and requisitioned Dutcl
steam vessels amounting to 1l2,24
gross tons are not included in the losse
given above.
To-day We are potentially the great
Get maritime power of the earth, 70
the reason that we possess the creates
shi1buldlng Recommendations
Mr.. Hurley's report shows an eno-
nous net war loss in merchant tonnag
for Great Britain despite her best ef
forts to replace her losses by new con
struction. purchases and the utilixa tioi
OF captured and seized enemy vessels
Mr.. Hurley made survey OF tn
yards of the United Kingdom ant
res chcs tho conclusion that under favor
exceed the 3.0oO. 900 gross ton outpu
predicted for 1919.
81 have heard a great deal said abou
The construction Of junk ships in Amer
lea" says Mr.. Hurley. emphasis thu
being laid on the number OF small yes
sells we had under construction. 1t wa
sought to convey tho impression tina
our new ships would suffer by compar'
son witb"those laid down by our friend
and associates overseas.
Smaller Craft winning Favor.
at may surprise these critics to hear
as have heard. that British yards ha,
under construction October 81. sixty Isl,
ships ar 5000 gross tons and over. Gu
programme for that date called for 10,
ships of 5000 gross tons or over"
In England. Mr.. Hurley finds. the pol
icy is to avoid naturalization of ship
ping and 10 withdraw control" Il
promptly as possible.
THE study OF Shipping Board expert