New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-11
INTERESTS N THE PACIFIC.

British opposition TO the annexation OF Hawaii
by the United States. manifested perhaps more
vigorously here than In Great Britain Itself, Is
not IN the least to be wondered Mt II has It's
origin In the very same causes that make such
annexation desirable. That Is not 10 say the
British oppose II just for the sake OF opposing
an American scheme, or thai this country
should persist In It just for the sake OF splitting
Great Britain. BY no means. Such motives
would be unworthy OF any people superior IN
civilization 10 the HOttcntots. The fact Is
however, that there is Il growing rivalry be-
tween the interests OF the United States and
OF Great Britain In the Pacific Ocean. Tho ac-
QUESTION Of Hawaii would materially advance
the interests OF the United States over those OF
Great Britain. That is why this Nation wants
it. for It's own good. ratheNthan for any other
nations harm, and that is why Great Britain
opposes II, IN order TO keep herself from being
outstripped, rather than to prevent the pros
perity Of any one else.
The most striking fact In tho commercial
status OF the world to-day is the growing I'm
portance Of Pacific Ocean trade. II IL curious
repetition Of history, or perhaps return TO
former principles The real object OF Colum-
bus In his voyages was to find n sea route TO the
East Indies, and to the end Of his life he sup
posed that was what, and ALL he had done. IL
was with the same object, Of promoting trade
In the Pacific Ocean. that Vasco da Cana made
the memorable voyage the fourth centenary OF
which is this very month 10 be celebrated. The
discovery OF the American continents diverted
Old World attention for centuries from what
had been It's supreme object. But now, In the
funess OF time. It turns back thereto. 1t is
on the Pacific Ocean nd In the lands surround
Ing II that the commercial enterprises OF the
coming century will find chief scope. To that
fact the opening and development OF japan, the
building OF the Canadian Pacific and Russian
Trans-Sberian railroads, the enormous growth
Of the Australasan colonies and the present
scramble Of the European Powers for parti-
tioning Of China all irresstibly point.
Pacific trade has already attained vast pro
portions. Japan has become one OF the great
shipping nations. with more than thousand
steamships Of her own and with over two mill
lon tons Of foreign shipping In her ports each
year. Her foreign trade amounts TO some
Si4j,000,000 a year. That Of China amounts to
$205, 100000, and that Of the Ausralasan colo
MES to no less than S570. 100000. Those are
large sums, but even they are mere trihes COM
pared with what VIII be reported from the same
regions few years hence. The bulk OF the Chi
nese trade may always 90 to Europe overland
or by way Of the Indian Ocean. But large
share Of It should beyond doubt come to and 20
from this country. and should do 80 directly by
way Of the Pacific. AS for the others, Japan
and Australasia, all their trade, with Europe
and with America. should naturally pass across
the Pacific That Is by far the most direct
route. From Yokohama to London by way Of
Vancouver is now only thirty days time. BY
any other route 1t Is forty-three. The compile
ton of the railroad across Siberia will, OF
course, divert some Japanese trade to that
overland route. But 1t will at the same time
bring additional European trade to the Pacific,
and thus actually Increase the commerce OF
that ocean
Great Britain Is a great Pacific Ocean Power,
and she aims at maintaining her supremacy in
commerce In those waters That Is why she
has built railroad across Canada and is plan
ming to lay a telegraphic cable from Vancouver
to Australia That Is why she would like to
use Hawaii as Il halfway station for such n
cable. That Is why she dlslikes the idea Of the
United States getting possession Of Hawaii. for
she knows that this would quickly be followed
by the laying of a cable from the United States
to Hawaii and thence to Japan. and that In
turn by such Ill expansion Of United States
shipping In those waters would menace her
superiority. Ii Is entirely true that Hawaii
would be Of great value to this country as a
naval base in time Of war. X war should ever
come. But 1t will be Of far greater value rs
a commercial station and outpost or halfway
house of trade. In the times Of peace which,
It - to be hoped. viii be perpetual That IL