New-York tribune., 1920-09-22
Marine Acts
Intent Clear
On Treaties
ss;pping Mem Point Out That
President Was Plainly
directed to Give Notice
No The Countries Affected
WDay Period Elapsed
an Agreements Declared
$ Terninable ON Not Over
f)ue Years Notification

4 yts attitude OF the government In
i ,.;,jne TO comply with the provisions
:. .ss merchant marine act, calling for
=. yiving Of notice of treaty changes
;. .ountries with which the United
] s.t.s has commercial agreements, is
s.usine much comment in shipping
.irciss.
while the Shipping Board has been
,,.,se the execution Of che terms of
e,s aes the State Department has
.assn no action beyond the making Of
..,.ra, statements to the effect that
dare we're grave difficulties and the
,a.,ibility of international complica-
aons in the way.
Ia some quarters it is stated that the
ADMINISTRATION takes the stand that
setion 81 Of the merchant marine act
n 50 unintelligible as to render it i'm
,sssible Of execution.
Say Shipping Act Is Clear
Shipping men claim, however, that
as language and its intent are per-
ssctly clear and point out that the
ection reads:
srhat in the judgment Of Congress,
sfieiss or provisions in treaties or
eorventions TO which the United States
b . party, which restrict the right
fss The United States to impose dis
eliminating duties on imports enter
isg the United States in foreign ves-
sels and in vessels Of the United
Ssstes, ard which also restrict the
right Of the United States to impose
dissyiminatory tonnage dues on for
sgn vessels and on vessels of the
United States entering the United
States should be terminated, and the
President is hereby authorized and
directed within ninety days after this
get becomes law to give notice to the
several governments respectively, par
ties to such treaties or conventions,
that SO much thereof as imposes any
saeh restriction on the United States
viii terminate on the expiration of
such periods as may be required for
he giving OF such notice by the pro-
visions Of such treaties or provisions"
& Law Not Complied With
President Wilson signed the mer-
chant marine set on June last, and
shs ninety y-day period for giving notice
has, therefore, expired without the
srten directed By Congress having
Been taken. It is pointed out that the
'et imposes no obligation upon the
g'vssnment to interpret the terms OF
tae treaties, but simply to take the pre-
urinary step of giving notice, as re-
CURED by the treaties themselves. of
ne intention to eliminate the restric-
h7e clauses, At The close of the period
required for giving notice in the yari-
Gus cases. none of which is said to
exceed year the United States would
% IN position to take steps to give
Preference to its own shipping. In the
matter OF discriminatory duties this
aas d already been provided for through
ae terms Of the Underwood tariff act
Of 1913.
Status Of Treaty Nations
The status of the treaty relations
81 the United States with other ma
sieas IN regard to trade is gone into
y n statement issued by the Committee
!. american shipbuiiders, OF which
'osepa ". Powell, ice president of
a., lac bethlehem sh.1building Corpora
..on Is chairman. THIS committees has
'sen the advocate OF the application
y preferential trestnens to Amer
~. .sn shipping in order to protect the
new merchant marine, and it's views
sese laid before the Senate Committee
= ssrsnaan commerce last May by Homer L.
~. gsssen' president of the Newport
Ssws shipbuiiding Company.
. Touching upon the question OF
ssaaes, the statement issued b. the
,.na. CT American shipbuilders
x,.s sne :. treaties o: the United States
rs. sna tae following nations provide
u mat the ships Of each nation shall be
s = tne same foo.ir-: with national
.sss .ssseis in the direct and indirect