GOVERNMENT INSURANCE OF SHIPS AND CARGOES DURING WAR.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."
Sra,—In the Spectator of March 7th you suggest that "the Government on the declaration of war" shall "gratuitously insure all vessels and cargoes against war risks," in regard to which you may possibly be interested in the following. Some years ago I happened to mention this same idea to the late Admiral Sir George Tryon, who at once exclaimed : "Have you ever given expression to these views publicly, as they seem to me valuable " ; and on ascertaining that I had not, he volunteered to ventilate the subject, threw himself into it with his usual earnestness, got hold of facts and figures, and if my memory serves me, read a paper on the sub- ject at the United Service Institution. But apparently neither the public nor the officials took more than a passing interest in the matter, and it was soon lost sight of. But looking at the way a few insignificant captures by the 'Alabama' drove the United States mercantile marine off the ocean, and looking also to the small amount involved, not in insurances, but in the actual repayment by us of America's entire losses, I cannot help feeling with you that our food and other supplies will reach us at moderate prices in war-time if war risks are practically accepted by the Government. This would have the further effect of preventing the transfer of our vessels to neutrals, and would entirely destroy the confidence that apparently exists abroad that our vulnerable point is our mercantile marine, and that a few fast commerce destroyers would be fatal to our commercial prosperity. And surely, if we can afford to pay 2200,000,000 to preserve the integrity of the Empire as in the late Boer War, we need not grudge a tenth of that sum to ensure the integrity of that valuable possession, our mercantile marine.—I am, Sir, &c., J. 0. Honcuas, Admiral (Retired).
[We are delighted to find so great an authority as Sir John Hopkins agreeing with us on this point, and trust that the matter will receive proper attention from the Government. In our view, they should not wait for war before taking the step we desire, but should in peace accept the responsibility of in- suring against war risks all vessels and cargoes insured against ordinary sea risks. Such an announcement would do a great deal to prevent panic at the beginning of a war, and that is an object which the authorities should keep always in view.—En. Spectator.]
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