THE MERCANTILE MARINE

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLV, Issue 11929, 24 October 1919, Page 6

THE MERCANTILE MARINE

TRIBUTE FROM AMERICA, FUND OF “£10,000,000 MOOTED. One of the most remarkable evidences of the generous appreciation of Americans the world over of the sacrifices Great Britain made in maintaining sea supremacy during the war is to he found in the organisation known as America’s Tribute to British Merchant Seamen. The project, the success of which is practically assured, is to raise £10,000,000, solely among Americans for the benefit of the 80,000 men of the British Mercantile Marino, who suffered disablement in braving the dangers ot the submarine foe. The movement owes its origin to an informal talk among some of America’s greatest commercial magnates, who felt that such a tangible mark of sympathy would do more than anything else to cement a bond of friendship between the two countries and promote genuine international relationship. The fund has grown with amazing rapidity in America, and Mr Appleton, chairman of the organisation, roccutly visited England to appeal for £1,000,000 from the Americans domiciled there. In an interview Mr Appleton emphasised the international Importance of the movement. “It will do more than anybody can calculate, ” he said, “to promote a bond of brotherhood among the two peoples. It is not merely that we are raising £10,000,000 among our own folk for the benefit of British seamen, but it is an evidence that we want to stand together In all future time as a bulwark against any onslaughts on civilisation, freedom, and progress, i am not asking for a penny of British money. This is America’s tribute to the valour and endurance of British seamanship, which stood between the Allies and disaster, which protected onr commerce, ensured our food supplies, and maintained the supremacy of the seas. It is a glorious chapter in British history, and deserves to be worthily commemorated. ’ ’