"A NECESSITY IN TIME OF WAR; A SOURCE OF INDEPENDENCE STRENGTH IN TIME OF PEACE." AND 1. BY REAR ADMIRAL WILLIAM S. BENSON, U. S. N. e DIRECTOR OF NAVAL OPERATIONS OF THE UNITED STATES NAVY DURING THE NEGOTIATE PEACE, PARIS, 1919; AND CHAIRMAN OF THE STATES SHIPPING BOARD, 1920-1921. STANF New York A THE MACMILLAN COMPANY 1923 All rights reserved Ja. This study in American History was written for the non-competitive program of the Knights of Columbus to encourage investigation into the origins, the achievements and the problems of the United States; to interpret and perpetuate the American principles of liberty, popular sovereignty and government by consent; to promote American solidarity; and to exalt the American ideal. INTRODUCTION Through the long period I have spent in the naval service of the United States I have carefully studied the mercantile side of the nation's ocean service, not only because it is of vital importance to the country's safety as an auxiliary of the Navy, but also because it is an instrument essential to the nation's wealth and to her usefulness among the peoples of the world. My responsibilities as Director of Naval Operations during the World War brought me in close touch with the danger to which this country was exposed, in consequence of her lack of an adequate merchant marine. As our Allies also were anxious to get our soldiers to Europe, our need in this instance was supplied by their vessels. The consequences which will attend our neglect of the merchant service, should our safety demand the transport of great bodies of troops across the Atlantic or Pacific, when no friendly ally is at hand to assist with its vessels, are not pleasant to contemplate. At present there is no lack of vessels, but their existence now is no assurance for our possible need at an indefinite and we trust distant future time when our rights may again have to be preserved by resort to arms. Constant protection can come only from an ample navy and a permanent merchant marine, under our own |