The New York herald., 1870-03-21
Our Commercial Interests la tho Eastern
Xorfd.

has been always coveted by great commercial
nations, and there has been an intense rivalry
for it ever since Europe began to make COM
merce the source of its wealth, power and pro-
gressiye civilization. From the dawn OF COM
mercal development the rich and populous
countries Of Asia, China, India, Japan and
other Asiatic countries have been regarded as
the greatest field for trading enterprise. Eng
land, Holland and France were rivals in that
hemisphere, and Russia, too, in her overland
trade. But since the United States grew to be
great commercial Power there has been an
other formidable rival In fact, the two great
rivals for the trade of the East hereafter will be
this country and England. AT present
England has the supremacy. She has,
too, undeniable and great advantages.
Her vast empire in India not only gives her
monopoly Of the trade there, but it places her
in the most favorable position for holding on
to large share Of that Of China. Still, the
United States can be successful rival to
England in China, Japan and other countries
Of Asia, if not in India. We have advantages
also, and some that England cannot acquire.
China, japan, Sumatra, Borneo, Siam,
Malacca, tho Philippine Islands and all the
countries and islands in that region are much
nearer to the United States than to England.
They are separated only from this country by
one ocean, the navigation of which is easy.
Even with the facilities that England or the
other nations OF Europe may have for trade
through the Suez Canal, the communication
from our Western shores to the great trading
cheaper. Our Pacific railroads will bring
even New York and the other commercial
cities on the Atlantic nearer to Eastern Asia
than Europe is; and though England and
Russia are pushing their telegraph lines
to all points of the Asiatic Continent, with
view to control the trade with that part Of the
world we shall soon have cables laid across the
Pacific to compete with them. So far, then, as
these modern agencies of commercial pro-
gress--the telegraph and steam power-go, this
country has greater advantages than any other.
The time is not distant when there will be vast
population on the Pacific side of the republic;
when there will be several steamship lines to
China, Japan and other ports Of Asia; when
we shall be in instant telegraphic communica-
tion with the Eastern World, and when our
intercourse with the hundreds Of millions of
people there will be greatly enlarged.
But we must not forget that in this race those
who seize the opportunities before them win,
and those who do not lose. Indeed, the
finest opportunities may be thrown away by
neglect. There is, as was said, vast Geld
for American enterprise and commerce in Asia
and the Asiatic islands; but it needs explor-
ing and cultiyating. We want able men as
representatives in that part Of the
world, and we want commercial and
special agents to enlighten the governments
and native chiefs about our country and the
value Of our trade. Sec what Mr.. BurIingame
accomplished See what position he placed
the United States in and the prospects he has
opened to his native country by his skill and
liberal policy! IF we had some such men as
that gentleman, though in less prominent
position-though as commercial agents only
spread over the different countries of Eastern
Asia, we should soon find our commerce
enlarging and spreading. England is using
every means possible to extend and perpetuate
her trade there, and we ought to do the same.
1t would not take many years, If we were to
use the right means, to give this country that
commercial supremacy which England now
holds. Let ns have able representatives to
| begin with, men of large experience and
! acquainted with these countries, and not back
woodsmen Or mere local polticians-such
men, for example, as the lamented Mr.. Bur-
| lingame, Mr.. Hart, the Chinese Imperial
Commissioner of Customs, or Mr.. Caesar
Moreno, the famous Asiatic traveller and
scholar, who has become an American and
who is now in this country. There is no one,
| probably, better acquainted with China, India
| and the countries Of Eastern Asia generally
| He was in Pekin when MIR. Burlingame was
is acquainted with the leading men and chiefs
| in different parts Of Asia He has held very
| prominent positions, both in Asia and in his
native country, Italy, before he became an
| American. He was a member of the Italian
Parliament, and held marked position there
| tnrougH tAc itueTat, polu duu progressive
course he took. Tho President could not do
better than TO send Mr.. Moreno to Asia in some
representative capacity. In fact we want more
men there Of like qualifications and expert
ence. Looking at the depressed condition OF
our commerce since the war, at the necessity
Of extending 1t and thereby reviving our ship
ping interests, and at the splendid opportunity
| for American trade and enterprise in Asia, the
government will make serious mistake ii it
should not use all the means in its power to
! enlarge our commercial intercourse with the
countries Of Eastern asia.
THI OyEIDA DIsASTER. R.--Despatches from
Japan have informed us that Captain Eyre, of
the steamship Bombay, had been sentenced.