Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-08-27
From Other Viewpoints
Oar ships md other Needs.
~ JAMES ALEXANDRIA.

\ nation we have given the solution
of tHe American merchant; marine problem ne
consideration that It's vita! Importance
maad- Viewed from every standpoint il should
have our carly and bes, consideration.
Before the war wc were content 70 let 80 per
cent Of our foreign commerce be carried in
vessels under foreign hacs 1t did not seem 10
nGrt our pride that only per cent was
RED under the American nag w did not seem
70 understand that relation OF our American
merchant marine to our national prosperity.
the extension and development OF our foreign
trade or to the national defense
Prior 20 tn" Civil War we had nourishing
merchant marine and AT time then was less
ihan so per cent Of our foreign commerce car
rled IN merchant ships under the American
Nag. But following the CIVIL War. and under
c,uses i would not serve any usefu! purpose
uow to trace our merchant shipping failed 10
heep pace with the growth OF our great agri-
cultural, mining, manufacturing and com
fucrcial interests ana found increasing
percentage OF our foreign commerce carried
Tina, fact d!d no, give us so rngch concern
so long as our exports we're negligible as com
i,ated win IN" requirements OF our home mar
Eet We were developing This wonderful
ina' end Consumption Was for the most part
gneui Of foreign markets FOR surplus was
mere Incident and did not receive serious
Consideration until in comparatively recent
y. now realize tina, If our factories and
mills wer" run TO fun capacity we can pro-
duce Car more each year Than consume
ora Ye shpUli avoid the slowing do"n OF In
auet:y w!th H.. hurtful effects upon GUY MA
t.Daa prosperity should seek foreign mar
r"ls for surplus and At the same time n
courage the importation OF such raw materials
and manufactures az meet the requirements of
oar people.
In 1919 orr foreign trade amounted to about
81 000.000.c06; our excess OF exports over i'm
ports % abou, !iol7.oo0 900 our industries
maze been expanded ana their output ;renend-
1.sly Increased TO slow down our Industries
rnw and curtnii production would be hurttul
20 oI' prosperity
The word needs no, only our surplus food
s'uNs ana raw materials but manufactures
as wcll While the Demands OF Europe espe-
ciuliy az" great end imperative, while she
AID stabilize her people. IL would meet
these demands must marshal the financial
resources OF the nation asd he prepared to ex-
teul ionE term crodits wherever ana whenever
Th"rt arc questions vim which our grca,
Financial manufacturers and commercial intrr-
este arc wres,liig. and wc have faith 10 he
| ileFr they 50 %! prove equal to the task
N rs clear that We cannot have a inrcs and
| prosperous mercantile ma rinc unless We have
g large and Goiirlshing foreign trade. They
Fo Hand IN band
Tho var taughi many valuable Lessons
'HH' 50 should ncFcr forget one OF the ma =
l"-hi lessons taught az IL need OF a ner-
chant marine owned oinccrcH and AZ far as
practicable manned by Americans II bun IN
"nd maintained II VIII prove az our great.
cst national assets Wc have already made
tremendous strides towards the ACCOMPLISH
mont ~ this great purpose.
Tho rtc"th Of American merchant shipping
oi lis participation the worlds oversee
trade and OF the ahipbu!iding Industry In the
United states, has bGcn ono OF the marvels OF