New-York tribune., 1922-09-17
SIR Frederick Lewis
Omits Many Details

Oniits Many Details
Sir Frederick Lewis. presidine at
the annual meeting of Furness, Witty
d GO. in London on August 81. made
an able plea for reciprocity on the
seas. He set forth more clearly than
any other British speaker the obiec-
t!ons of the British Empire to the
plan for government aid to shipping
on the part Of the United States. We
are indebted to him for details of The
opposition, which makes it possible to
answer the arguments with equal
clearness.
The substance OF his remarks was
that Great Britain maintains the open
door to all shipping and trade. and
that the country seeks nothing but q
similar policy in return. He denied
that any British steamship company
Is lighting directly or indirectly
aga INST the development Of American
shipping. II this country wishes to
take money out of the Treasury to Off
set the losses to its ships, that is
purely an internal issue in which no
foreigner has tho right to intrude. he
explained, but he objected to provi-
sions In present and proposed Ieeisla-
tlon tending to discriminate again st
the vessels Of other nations. He said :
British ship owners do not CLAIM,
any right TO express an opinion upon
the direct subsidy proposals which the
United States are contemplating for
the benefit Of their mercantile marine,
but when these proposals extend to
the point Of discrimination against
British and other foreign shipping in
United States ports, then quite differ
ent considerations arise. The
legislation which is at present being
considered goes great deal further
than this in seeking to control the
direct international commerce in favor
OF vessels of the United States at the
expense OF all others. The only true
basis Of international shipping is that
the vessel that can carry the goods
most cheaply, without any artificial re-
strictions or incentives, shall do the
trade"
L. S. Subsidy Denounced
Sir Frederick also denounced tariff
walls put UP by other nations. With
reference 70 the American discrimina-
prisals would be tried by Britain. lie
enumerated the following provisions
az Objectionable:
1t is proposed to grant preferential
railway rates for csrgoes carried on
national vessels. 1t is proposed to grant
rebates Of income tax to shippers who
send their freight by American vessels
1t is proposed that fixed percentage
OF immigrants brought into the coun-
try shall only be admitted By Ameri-
can steamers. 1t is proposed to double
the tonnage dues, and while She in
creased dues will be levied upon Amer
lean and foreign vessels alike, the in
creased revenue SO derived is to be
credited to the fund from which the
subsidy is to be paid, so that in effect
foreign vessels are to be made to CON
tribute toward the subsidy payment
develop the United States marine. 1t
ls proposed to include the Philippine
Islands in the coasting trade, although
believe it i5 a historical and economic
fact THAT two-thirds Of the industries
Of the Philippines We're created with
British capital prior TO being taken
over by the United States.
British shipping has all along been
prepared TO welcome the American
merchant marine, and to proceed along
the lines OF friendly cooperation and
friendly rivalry, but that spirit must be
reciprocated il it is to he enduring"
American Ships Attacked
No one can question the sentiment
expressed in the last paragraph. 1t
happens, however. that Sir ederick S
own line, Furness, Witty & Co., was
one Of the concerns which tried to shut
American ships out of the Egyptian
cotton trade after they had submitted
Did Of 25 shillings ton against the
erick was the leader in the fight on
American shipping, which eliminated
in compromise after the Sh' 'pping
Board had launched q rate war Amer
lean steamship men have never been
able TO see The fair play in that situa-
ton.
Furthermore, Australia now imposes
special duty OF 1856 carload on
goods brought in American vessels over
shipments in British and Canadian
bottoms, while our hands arc tied by
the one-sided treaty OF 1916. This in
stance is not mentioned by Sir Fred
erick in his attack on discriminating
duties.
III denouncing foreign tariff bars TO
trade, Sir Frederick o-nits TO mention
thai Great Britain now has duty OF
about SO 1-S per cent OIL 5000 articles
having abandoned free trade when it
became necessary TO do so.
The conclusion 20 be drawn from
this is that the British, vino are no
better nor worse than other maritime G
peoples. advocate free trade and open
competition only when it is to their
advantage to do so. There is no doubt
that If that country faced the same
conditions as the United States proper
measures to aid shipping would be
adopted.