p. 11 | Ship Subsidies by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Nov 24, 1909

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 36, No. 46.

Ship Subsidies

By Editor

Ship Subsidies.— President Taft is greatly stirred over the matter of ship subsidies. He believes that there ought to be a certain number of American merchant ships subsidized by the Government; in other words, made secure against losses, so that in case of need the Government could use them. He declares:

“So inadequate is the American merchant marine to-day that in selecting auxiliary ships with which to make our navy an instrument of offense or defense, or, indeed, in sending it around the world as a fleet, we have to call on vessels sailing under a foreign flag to carry the coal and to supply the other needs of such a journey. Were we compelled to go into a war to-day, our merchant marine lacks altogether a sufficient tonnage of auxiliary unarmed ships absolutely necessary to the proper operation of the navy; and were war to come on, we should have to purchase such vessels from foreign countries, and this might under the laws governing neutrals be most difficult.”

While Ex-Congressman Landis declares that without soldiers which would be available in time of war, our navy is “a bluff,” “much like an automobile without gasoline.”

We do not wish our readers to get the idea that we are particularly interested in war or politics. We believe in peace. The Gospel is the Gospel of peace. We are pointing out, however, just what God has pointed out in the sure word of prophecy, what is likely soon to come. The call is for war preparations.