26 REPORT OF AMERICAN MERCHANT MARINE COMMISSION.

Second. From a port of the Atlantic coast of the United States to Uruguay and
Argentina, on steamships of the United States of not less than 14 knots speed, for a
monthly service at a maximum compensation not exceeding $187,500 a year, or for
a fortnightly service at a maximum compensation not exceeding $375,000 a year.
Third. From a port of the Atlantic coast of the United States to South Africa, on
steamships of the United States of not less than 12 knots speed, for a monthly service
at a maximum compensation not exceeding $187,500 a year, or for a fortnightly
service at a maximum compensation not exceeding $375,000 a year.
Fourth. From a port of the United States on the Gulf of Mexico to Brazil, on
steamships of the United States of not less than 12 knots speed, for a monthly service
at a maximum compensation not exceeding $137,500 a year, or for a fortnightly
service at a maximum compensation not exceeding $275,000 a year.
Fifth. From a port of the United States on the Gulf of Mexico to Cuba, on steamships
 of the United States of not less than 14 knots speed, for a semiweekly service
at a maximum compensation not exceding $75,000 a year.
Sixth. From a portof the United States on the Gulf of Mexico to Central America,
on steamships of the United States of not less than 12 knots speed, for a weekly service
 at a maximum compensation 'not exceeding $75,000 a year.
Seventh. From a port of the United States on the Gulf of Mexico to Mexico, on
steamships of the United States of not less than 12 knots speed, for a weekly service
at a maximum compensation not exceeding $50,000 a year.
Eighth. From a port of the Pacifie coast of the United States, via Hawaii, to Japan,
China, and the Philippines, on steamships of the United States of not less than 16
knots speed, for a monthly service at a maximum compensation not exceeding $300,000
a year, or for a fortnightly service at a maximum compensation not exceeding $600,000
a year.
Ninth. From a port of the Pacific coast of the United States to Japan, China, and
the Philippines, on steamships of the United States of not less than 13 knots speed,
for a monthly service at a maximum compensation not exceeding $210,000 a year; or
for a fortnightly service, at a maximum compensation not exceeding $420,000 a year.
Tenth. From a port on the Pacific coast of the United States to Mexico, Central
America, and the Isthmus of Panama, on steamships of the United States of not less
than 12 knots speed, for a fortnightly service at a maximum compensation not
exceeding $120,000 a year.
Provided, That the requirements of this section as to the rates of speed shall be
deemed to be complied with if said rates are developed during a trial of four hours’
continuous steaming at sea in ordinary weather in water of sufficient depth to make
the test a fair and just one, and if the vessels are maintained in a condition to
develop such speed at any time while at sea in ordinary weather. 'I'his trial shall
be made under the direction and supervision of a board of naval officers which the
Secretary of the Navy shall appoint upon the application of the owner or owners of
the ves&lt;el to be tested.

FOLLOWING TRADE ROUTES.

It will be recognized that in every instance these proposed lines
follow natural and important trade routes, and that several of them
are valuable, not only for the commercial, but for the political relations
 which a regular American steamship service will assuredly
promote.
The United States is Brazil’s best customer. Nearly all of our
imports from that country are on the tariff free list. We have also
a considerable commerce with the countries farther south. Qur
interest in the welfare of these great American Republies is such
that it is manifestly unjust and intolerable that not only must American
 traflic with Brazil and Argentina come and go in inferior and
uncertain foreign ships, but that American merchants, and even the
officers of our diplomatic, consular, and naval service must be forced
to cross to England in order to secure first-class passage to Rio
Janeiro and Buenos Ayres. So eager are Brazil and Argentina to gain
regular and adequate steam communication with the United States
that they have even intimated that they would defray part of the cost
of the undertaking.