On Tuesday in the House of Lords Lord Selborne made
an interesting statement in regard to the American Shipping Combine, and, we are glad to see, dealt with the matter with- out showing either panic or jealousy. The intention of the American people to have a mercantile marine was most natural and should arouse no jealousy. They bad a right to a full share in the Atlantic trade, and he added; "I unhesitatingly say that it is to our interest that they should have it and that it should not be, as it has hitherto been, almost a British monopoly." On the other hand, we could not afford to see ourselves squeezed out of the Atlantic trade. Therefore, though the Government's attitude was in no sense one of hostility, it was one of anxiety. Lord Selborne, referring to the evidence given by Mr. Finis) before the Select Committee on Shipping Subsidies, in which Mr. Pirrie stated that Mr. Morgan's Combine had offered to retain their ships under the British flag for fifty years, declared that the decision of the Admiralty would not be much longer delayed. No one, of course, wants to hurry the decision in a matter of such moment. What is wanted is that the decision should not be the outcome of panic, jealousy, and clamour, or of a narrow view of the facts. The sound and reasonable temper of Lord Selborne's speech is, we trust, a guarantee that the decision will be inspired by the same spirit, and that the Government do not mean to plunge into any reckless or sensational action merely because they dislike, as we must all dislike, to see the entry of the Trust system into the Atlantic trade. There are plenty of features in recent com- mercial developments which most of us would rather be with- out, but kicking at the wall in a rage will not put an end to them.
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