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1899.) MARINE REVIEW. UNITED STATES COMPETITION. FROM SYREN AND SHIPPING OF LONDON, No British man of business, be he ship owner, manufacturer, or mer- chant, can regard with any but the deepest interest the annual message presented by the president of the United States to congress. In fact, it has become customary to seek in it a forecast of possible or probable al- teration of the conditions under which British and United States industries sympathize or clash. Looked at from such a point of view, this year's message is fraught with special importance. The great American republic has emerged from the trammels of the Monroe doctrine, and, hence, must be regarded as a more real competitor with our shipping business and our foreign markets than she has been in the past. We find in President Mc- Kinley's message three factors which go to prove the reasonableness of this view. In the first place, the territorial limits of the republic now include the Philippine islands, and with the suppression of the existent rebellion there is bound to be a big effort on the part of American manu- lacturers to exploit the commercial possibilities of the islands to the fullest extent. "The future government of the Philippines," the message runs, "rests with congress. They cannot be abandoned. The suggestion that we could renounce our authority and give the islands indepcndence, while retaining a protectorate, will not be found worthy of the serious consid- eration of congress." These carefully considered words of the American president clearly point to the establishment of a closer relationship be- tween the Philippine archipelago and the United States--a relationship in which political power and opportunity will be a vital factor in determining the commercial policy to be adopted. But, while we are interested to a : 19 "Last year," he stated, "American vessels transported a smaller share of exports and imports than in any former year, and the measure of our dependence on foreign shipping was painfully manifested to our people {rom necessity." Doubtless, the American legislature will before long be called upon to consider this all-important question of merchant tonnage. A refer- ence to the report of the commissioners of navigation shows the lines upon which it is suggested Congress should take action. It is advised that a system of bounties should be established, graded upon the mileage navigated by American vessels while engaged in the foreign carrying trade, as compensation for the training of seamen available for the national defence; the system to have regard also to the construction of vessels which may be promptly and economically converted into cruisers, transports, colliers and supply ships for the use of the government. This 1S protection, or subsidizing of a mercantile marine, which is only one step behind the brutal, but unsuccessful, methods adopted by France to create and encourage native ship owning. It is further urged that the principle of the act of May 10, 1892, should be extended, with a view to more universal adoption. It will be remembered that under this act of congress the New York and Paris, though foreign built, were put on the American registry. The adoption of this suggestion, however, is fraught with difficulty even to its proposers, for it is stipulated that the United States coasting trade should be conserved to American-built vessels. Another proposition, aimed at resurrecting the mercantile marine of the states, advocates a moderate increase in the rates of tonnage taxes, on the lines of reciprocity with the dues levied in foreign harbors on United BOSTUN--Yarmouth S.S. Co. ST. CROIX--International S. S. Co. IN DIAN--Boston and Philadelphia. considerable extent in the future of these islands, we are still more deeply concerned with the evident intention of the republic to secure an increased share of trade with 'China. Here we have vital interests at stake, for the' bulk of Chinese trade is in British hands. On this point President McKin- ley was most explicit--too explicit perhaps for those who see in the up- to-date competition of the United States a menace and a challenge to the retention of our hard-won possession of the Chinese markets. Clearly, the anti-expansion, or western hemisphere party, in the states are about as unpopular there as is the Little Englander with us. The president rightly gauged public opinion when he stated that he renewed his recom- mendation to "appropriate the requisite financial aid for a commission to study the commercial and industrial condition of China, and report regarding the opportunities for, and obstacles against, the enlargement of the: markets of China for the raw products and manufactures of 'the United States." Clearly, our American cousins are erimly in earnest) on: the subject of commercial expansion, and British manufacturers; and mer-. chants would'do well to' take time by the forelock and stréngthen the: strong position they already hold in China as the party in possession. A consideration of the American occupation of the Philippines, and the forthcoming effort to secure a share of the trade with China, brings us to an examination of the means to be employed--the third factor which makes for increased competition with Great Britain. If the United States is definitely determined upon monopolizing, in whole or in part, the trade of the Philippines, and exploiting a big business with China, then it is a necessity of such effort that her mercantile marine be very materially augmented. Needless to say, this is duly recognized by President McKin- ley, and special allusion was made to the matter in his address to congress. J UNIATA--Merchants' & Miners' T. Co. BROOKLINE--Boston Fruit Co. BARNSTABLE--Boston Fruit Co. PRINCE EDWARD--Boston and Yarmouth. H. M. WHITNEY--Metropolitan $8.8. Co. ORION--Boston Towboat Co. A GROUP OF ATLANTIC COAST STEAMERS. States shipping. A further suggestion is that the trade between the United States, Porto Rico and Hawaii--and in all probability the Philip- pines as well--and the coasting trade of these islands be limited to Amer- ican-built vessels. These proposals are not the irresponsible suggestions of private citizens, but the matured scheme of the "navigation" officials, so that there is reason to think that when congress takes up the subject it will legislate on the lines laid down for its guidance. From this, it is patent that American competition with Great Britain, both in shipping and manufacturing enterprises, will not be relaxed, but increased in the next few years. We do not wish to imply that there is any need for de- spondency at such prospective competition; we merely urge watchfulness, and a yet closer attention to those persistent and enlightened efforts which have enabled British ship owners and manufacturers to attain their present - position. eee eR : Ifa steel ship building industry is not devéloped at New Orleans it will not be the fault of the Murphy Iron Works of that city. This firm secured a contract from the Texas & Pacific Railroad Co. to rebuild the large steel transfer boat Goldsboro on new lines, and inasmuch as a vast amount of steel frame and plate work was required, the New Orleans firm found itself compelled to install a compressed air plant, several large cranes and indeed virtually provide the full equipment of a ship yard. Then difficulty was encountered in securing properly trained mechanics and the firm has therefore established in connection with their works a training school where over a hundred young men are under instruction to fit them for work as steel ship builders. The firm has secured three more contracts similar to the above. oh ar