Above all, an American merchant marine is likely to be seen again upon
the seas. There will be German ships in plenty for sale, in all
probability, unless Germany wins an immediate victory on the sea, and
the advantage of an unquestioned neutral status, easily obtained by a
bona-fide purchase, will be so great that American capital will probably
invest largely in freight steamers and ocean liners. It seems entirely
unlikely that England, while she remains mistress of the seas, should
recognize as valid the registration in the United States of vessels
actually owned by belligerents or regard as anything more than
masquerading their appearance under the American flag. England has never
recognized any one's "right" to do anything at sea in time of war which
did not accrue directly to her own benefit. It is scarcely necessary to
say that she will not allow trade with Germany or Austria while she can
prevent it. The only refuge will be the sale of the ship by the foreign
owner to Americans who will trade with England, her allies, and strictly
neutral nations. As always in time of war, privateering and smuggling
will be profitable, and trade with Germany, unless she is immediately
victorious at sea, will offer to the adventurous plenty of risk and the
certainty of huge profits.
Pages:
567
568
569
570
571
572
573
574
575
576
577
578
579
580
581
582
583
584
585
586
587
588
589
590
591