New-York tribune., 1920-10-10
Denies Britain
Seeks Control.
* - - =
OF Sea Trade
Cunard Head Says Eze Wants
U. S. to Provide Keencst
tomaesiiiou for The Mer-
chant Carriers Of Britain
Friendly. Rivalry His Idea
Sir Alfred Booth Hopes Leg
ssislatcrs Here Will Put
Americai, Ships Forward

England does not seek the CONNER
ciakE supremacy Of the seas and is
anxious to see the merchant marine of
the United States occupying q place
in international affairs where it will
provide le keenest sort of competi-
tion for the merchant carriers of the
United Kingdom.
That sentiment was expressed yes
terday b. Sir Alfred Booth, chairman
of the Cunard line and probably tho
mos astute student of shipping in
the British Isles. Sir Alfred arrived
on the Cunard liner AQuitania from
Enpland to inspect the work being
done here on the new $4,000 900 piers
hawkcn and the new Office building be-
ing erected at Bowling Green.
Sir Alfred caught his first view Of
the partly finished walls of the
Cunard lines New York office from the
boat deck Of the Aquitania as she was
nosing her way into the North River
Through an Indian summer haze. He
said he was amazed At the rapidity
with which the structure had been run
up, but said he was glad it was going
70 occupy an important position in
New ork's famous and exceedingly
Jagged SKY line.
Here to Inspect Pier Project
Sir Alfred said that the principal OBJ
Sect Of his visit here at this time was
to look into the Weehawken pier prof.
ect which is calculated to be the great
est steamship freight terminal in the
world. He was unable to say when
the eight piers of 1000 feet each in
length would be completed, but allowed
1t to be known that they would be
used in conjunction with the Cunard
lines rapidly developing freight serv-
2ce to England and the Mediterranean
The Chelsea piers of the line, at the
foot of West Fourteenth Street, will
be used exclusively for passengers
Nslng the express steamers of the line
aIter the Weehawken project is COM
pieted.
The visitor will remain here for six
weeks and will stay during this time
with his son-in-law, Edwin Dwight, of
81 West Fifty second Street. lie was
accompanied by his daughter, Sylvia.
& lie was dlsinclined to discuss ship
Ping matters OF either an international
Hcharacter or those dealing directly
with the British Empire, because, he
SAID, he had been at sea for more than
week and had been rather out of
touch with recent Developments. He
dec Jared, however, that while the
sUnited States and England might be-
come the greatest maritime powers in
sexistence their commercial rivalry on
friendly competition of healthy sort
that would spur both nations on to
greater efforts and greater efficiency.
Wants U. S. Marine to Prosper
The head of the Cunard Line spoke
with enthusiasm about the future of
the American merchant marine and
expressed the hope that legislators
bere would have the foresight to enact
laws that would help our ships to main
tam a powerful place in the maritime
world.
In speaking Of the League of Nations,
Sir Alfred said the people of England
were not at all surprised that we have
hositated to become a party to the
covenant and were not laborng under
the impression that the United States
was trying to disregard or dodge the
obligations incurred by our entry into
the war
! England is deeply interested in
your Presidential election. he said, al
though our knowledge of the issues IN
Nolvod is, of course. somewhat limited.
] understand that the League of Ma
tions is the question on which the cleo
tion will be won and lost. The people
of England. I am quite sure believe
that the hesitancy on the part of The
United States to become a partv to tho
league without mature deiberation is
logical and thoroughly in keeping with
your careful busines methods. We are
not of the opinion that America is try
ing to shirk her duty or abandon the
principles for which her men died on
the fields of France. We know that you
will select the right course and that
when you do you will follow it to the
benefit of all concerned"
Welcome Americas Prosperity.
Sir Alfred said that whatever action
the United States took in relation to
the League of Natious it remained the
unavoidable duty of this country and
England to take such steps as would
prevent another great war.
England welcomes Americas pros
perity in shipping" he declared. TN
speaking of the relationship of the two
nations on the commercial seas l would
not use the word rivalry. 1t will be hon
est and healthy competition, the kind
that will induce the best efforts on the
part of both nations. 1t will be competi-
ton that for instance, the Cunard Line