OCR Text |
Show SHIPPING DECREE. The Spanish government does not propose to allow its merchant vessels to fall into the hands of foreign owners, and a few weeks ago a royal decree was promulgated which prohibits tho sale of ships of more than 250 tons register, even when both seller and purchaser are Spanish citizens, without obtaining the consent of the minister of public works. Spain cannot be blamed for taking the most drastic action since, owing to the scarcity of ships, the food importations aro not sufficiently large to prevent considerable suffering among the poor. The entente allies are combing comb-ing the earth for vessels to transport men, munitions and foodstuffs, while the Germau submarines continue to sink the ships of all nations indiscriminately. indiscrimi-nately. The Spanish government therefore is merely attempting to look out for the welfare of the nation when it keeps a jealous eye upon tho merchant marine and forces Spanish ships into Spanish trade. This is brought about by the ministry of public works seizing such Spanish vessels as engage in foreign trade not touching Spanish ports, and if they do not return to Spain iu the timo fixed the ministry may seizo the other vessels of shipowner or company, and if they possess no other vessels it may order the seizure of other property or that of a company's directors. Spanish Span-ish shipowners or companies who attempt at-tempt to evade the royal decree will be foolish indeed, even though they lose money by doing as the government directs. di-rects. It has been necessary for the United States to stop American shipowners and companies from transferring their vessels ves-sels to foreign registry, and it may be that the entire merchant marine of the country will be commandeered before the end of another week. Just now there are not ships enough iu the world to do the business and each nation must look out for itself, neutral as j well as belligerent. |