New-York tribune., 1920-09-20
(nhel. Nations
Seek to Check
u. S. Sea Trade
Determinations Made by
Very Countries Protesting
Against u. 8. Taking Steps
TO Protect lite Shipping
Action Taken by Canada
Enperal Preference PLAN
Extended TO West Indies;
yapan to- Hit as America

In view OF foreign protests against
shs enforcement Of the provisions of
The merchant marine act, which would
serait Of measures being taken for the
protection Of American shipping. there
Il much interest in shipping circles
ever steps already taken by other ma
tssas In form Of discrimination In
favor Of their own trade. These steps,
II Is pointed out, have been taken by
the very countries which are protest.
;ns the most against the United States
extending preferential treatment TO it's
own vessels.
Under tho new trading agreement
xhieh has been entered into between
Canada and the various British West
: Indian colonies, it is stated, the pro-
dnce and manufactured goods Of the
West Indies are to be admitted to Can
sda at q duty not more than SO per
cant Of that imposed on like goods i'm
fported from foreign countries. Sim liar
concessions are granted by the West
Indies to Canadian goods. 1t is also
stated that the agreement provides
ier subsidized service OF passenger
aud cargo steamers between Canada
South African Agreement
An agreement has also been entered
into between British shipping COM
psuies and the South African Trade
Association, according to the Trade
Supplement- of The London Times. 1t
10 stated that the agreement provides
that if q cargo should be carried by
foreign companies at rates below those
Of the regular lines then the latter, in
respect Of sailings one wek before or
after those of the foreign companies,
will charge rates to the British ex-
porters, wheteher from the Continent
!. or the United Kingdom, 20 shillings a
ton below those at which goods were
carried in the foreign vessels.
The Tpkio Chamber of Commerce
10 Japan, according to the Liverpool
syournal of Commerce, have announced
shss they will take counter measures
sga!nst the United States in order to
oaset the effects Of the American Mer-
chant Marine act. A commission will
be appointed, it is announced to formu-
iase plans to prevent the new American
law from becoming e detriment to
Japanese shipping.
Japan already has an elaborate sub
sidy system in effect for the benefit of
her shipping which handicaps Amer
can vessels in the carrying trade with
Japan, but Japanese interests have
been most vehement in their protests
against preferential rail rate being
given to American goods exported or
imported in American vessels.
Imperial Preference in Force
The new Canadian West Indies agree
ment is part of the general British
plan for imperial preference, which
was initiated during the war and long
before steps were proposed FOR the
proposed for the protection Of the new
American merchant marine. Because
OF the large part played by American
vessels in The trade of the West
ladies' this arrangement is of especial
interest to this country. 1t is also to
be noted that Canada has voiced strong
opposition 10 the American plan for
preferential rail rates.
BY the new agreement" says The
Marine journal, another significant
proof is afforded of the present strong
tendency Of British imperial policy to
draw all British commercial and mari
time interests closely together, partic-
u!ariy as against the United States.
The Bahamas, Bermuda. Jamaica, Brit
lsh Guiana, the Windward and Leeward
Islands, etc, left to themselves natu-
rsliy incline toward the markets Of
tais country. as does the entire West
Indian and Caribbean region, without
regard to any particular national flag.
The United States is the greatest
and most dependable customer for West
indsan and Caribbean products, and
where producers can sell to best ad-
vantage they prefer to buy. More and
more, irresistibly year after year, the
British sugar islands" have been
swinging toward a real though infor-
mai commercial union with the Ameri-
can Republic,
American Trade Aimed At
But now this natural drift is going
70 De vigorously resisted through the
hs@ Canada West Indies trade agree
ments, concluded at the behess Of the
imperial authorities. Copies OF the
agreement show that the pact is two
,ea-eommercial and maritime. The
Dsminion Of Canada afirms the prin-
eiple OF imperial preference-that is to
say, IT grants low preferential customs
auses on products Of the West India
seionies--on sugar, cocoa, lime juice
aspical fruits and vegetables, etc.
1aiie the islands reciproeally give ex-
s,aslvs concessions on -four and other
caaadian merchandise.
-. because the markets Of the United
E ssstes are intrinsieaiiy and naturally
Gyrwpny, A ,ssvsey Aynr,<~r,a