The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1920-07-25
The independence of America

and stealthy determination TO break
down American nationalism and ad-
vantage. II is as no lingo that we
write thus. but merely as u recorder
and emphasizer of historic events.
The American Merchant Marine.
For years the aim OF American
statesmanship possessing world Wis
ion has been the acquisition of an
American merchant marine. IL has
been a difficult contest. for two
roasons: First, In the nature of
things vast majority of the con-
gress has been composed of inland
ers unfamiliar with the relative
value of maratlme affairs; and sec
ond, because OF the craftily con-
cealed propaganda on the part OF
English shipping interests to TO
ment opposition to the expenditure
necessary to re-establish the Amer
lean flag on the high seas
Authorities pointed out time after
time the absolute necessity of an
American merchant marine in time
of war, especially war with an
other maratime power. But this
argument was impotent because of
the inability or unwillingnes Of con-
gressmen 70 contemplate war as
anything more than an academic
theory based on the past and we'll
nigh impossible In the future, The
thing that prevented enthusiastic
approval of any and all merchant
marine bills was the subsidy in
volved or direct congressional ap-
preparation required.
Then came the war. Immediately
the teachings of the merchant ma
rine advocates for thirty years
found an instant application. 1t was
no longer theory. Here ever facts
bold, ugly. disquieting facts. And
American congressman felt them
selves secretly guilty of a great
wrong to their nation that they had
not needed the voice OF authority
and knowledge.
The country Is familiar with con-
sequent history. How American
shipyards and shipbuilders and
American money was hurled into n
giuelling race with the destructive
program of the German "U" boats,
and how by lavishly spending wealth
the race was won. II was explained
that when the war was over Amer
lea would have merchant marine
of the first magnitude. and that
never again would the Union Jack
he driven from the seas by govern
ment subsidy by other nations or
nnv other form OF competition.
Administration Restrained From
Selling.
A worth while merchant marine
did result, though our government,
still unduly friendly to England in
such matters as many of us believe.
has failed to make the most OF the
"A n kra n n o. al In uh nh
America found herself when hos
tilities closed. The attempt TO sell
American vessels to English ship
ping interests. and thus undo the
work of constructing merchant
fleet. was checked in the courts
Again 1t is significant that press
protest availed nothing: nor did
congressional resolution. The stub
born determination OF a private in
dlviduai to save the fleet for Amer
lea sought and secured the per-
manent injunction whicn prevented
English shipping interests from
again wrecking the American mer-
chant marine.
To enable the new American fleet
to compete with foreign shipping
interests: to encourage its mainten-
ance and thoroughly nationaiize the
coastwise commerce OF America, the
congress passed what is known as
the New Shipping act. Among
other provisions is one which gives
especial preference TO American
bottoms In all shipments between
American points This Is known as
coastwise trade, and is construed to
apply TO all trade between American
points and ports In any OF the coll
onies or dependencies OF America.
England again comes TO the front
with the demand that this provision
he ahrogated. Her contention, and
she has the full support Of Japan