The Washington times., 1920-07-07
us. S.SEAATORDE
ALIEN SH|POWNERS.
Jones, of Commerce Committee,
Answers Threats OF Great
Britain and Japan.

SEATTLE. Wash. July TN a
ringing defiance OF the threats Of
British and japanese shipowners TO
withdraw their vessels from Pscinc
coast ports as a protest against the
recently enacted Merchant Marine Act
Senator w. l.. Jones. OF the Senate
committee on commerce here today
declared the United States is able to
and viii protect its shipping interests
many such event,
There Is new era in United States
| foreign commerce" he declared, after
detailing the need for the new act
which seeks to limit coast-wise ship
ping in this country, as well as 10
give a full share OF our commerce
with other countries to American
bottoms.
.we now have q Merchant Marise,"
he said. "it must snd Will be em-
pIoyed. even though In the accom-
piishment of that purpose all exports
Had Imports he required 10 move
under p~rmit. an sTrnnGement under
which all Usited states ports will be
protected against copEestion. or loss
OF basine~s, through action Of foreign
countries adverse 20 American In
terests. Harnoaious co-operstion Of
sent system unnecessary"
BACKS UP BENSON.
In his statement. Senator Jones,
who Is chairman OF. the Senate COM
merce committee. and who drafted
much of the new Shipping Act. backs
up the recent declaration OF Admiral
Benson. head OF the United states
Shipping Board. that the Shipping Act
gives the United. States an effective
club to prevent the boycotting, Of
American ports now threatened by
the British and Japanese.
"The. act,". Senator Jones said.
..does not discriminate betweeR the
vessels OF foreign nations. Under Its
provisions they all receive most ia
vored natioa' treatment. They do
not receive nor arc they entitled TO
receive rs . right, national treat.
the United States
I'm this act. Congress has amended
a statute of the United States dealing
with purely domestic problem.
making the wording of the law con-
form TO what always has been the
| intent OF the Congress in the original
and amendatory enactment; viz: To
require that only vessels of the
United States should be permitted
TO participate IN that part OF trans
portation which is by water when
merchandise moves between points in
the United States and it's possessions
coming within the coastwise laws
whether such movement be direct be-
tween such points or is via foreign
port. Great Britain has protested
against such an enactment, notwith-
standing that Congress has only re-
stored landmarks of legislation which
were maintained by our government
from our very beginning down to the
year OF 1913 when. at the solicitation
of Canadian carrier, an opinion con-
trary to the intent of the act was
rendered by the Attorney General of
the United States"
CITES BRITAIN'S ACTS.
The Senator cited in this connection
| that Great Britain now prevents art
| isans and laborers from entering Brit
ish Columbia via Puget Sound. He
| also asks why the japanese shipping
| interests should foment propaganda
against the new Shipping Act. when
its is the acknowledged policy OF Japan
to. &y subsidy" or otherwise, pro-
vide a peculiarly national" treatment
| for japanese ships. calculated to give
ships an advantage over ships of the
United States in such trades?