The herald., 1897-07-01
so SAYS MINISTER BARRETT
Must Be Watched and a Vigorous
Commercial Exchange Developed.
Advices From Siam

The following communication was
minister at Bangkok, Siam, at the
Chamber of Commerce board meeting
yesterday, and on motion was referred
to the committee on commerce:
UNITED STATES LEGATION,
BANGKOK, Siam, May u, 1897.
The secretary, Chamber of Commerce
Los Angeles, CAL, U. S. A:
Sir: 1 have the honor to call your es-
tain suggestions and observations here
in briefly set forth in regard to the de-
velopment of closer trade relations be-
tween the Pacific coast of the United
the Pacific ocean, especially the coun-
tries of the far east or Asian-P Pacific.
On other occasions in special reports
and letters, in official reports and arti-
locations, I have striven to impress upon
the people, not only of the Pacific coast
but of the United States as a whole, the
critical situation of American trade in
Pacific countries; and the status of
affairs at the opening of 1897 bears out
all said and prophesied in 1895 and 1896.
/ would not appear as claiming any
special merit for my own personal serv-
ice; l have only done what is the duty
of every American, whether he is gov
ernment officer or not, who sees con-
stantly before his eyes splendid oppor-
tunites for the promotion of American
commerce and prestige fast slipping
away because they were not seized in
time. These predatory remarks permit
me to make general statement: The
prosperity of the Pacific coast can be
immeasurably enhanced by a vigorous
development of commercial exchange
with Pacific countries; that develop
ment will be forever checked, hampered
and handicapped by the tremendous in
fluence and hold of European countries
unless general and persistent effort is
made to get fair share of the growing
trade. and place the Pacific coast in a
position to largely control the markets
of the Pacific ocean; that in the COM
paratively near futnre the Pacific will
be the scene of events and the shores
hathed by its waters will witness ma
terial and moral progress that will as
tonish the world and divide the honors
with the Atlantic and it's lands.
Everywhere one travels in the far east
the spirit of activity prevails. The at
mosphere is charged with commercial
and political explosives, there is so
much downright earnestness and clear
headed, dogged persistence in the move
ment that one continually is reminded
that the far east is on the eve of de-
velopment that will surprise and may
excite the awe and admiration of the
world. China may be slow to move, but
when she does move. then look out!
Japan is showing that she has only be-
gun her achievements as a first-class
power. Already the number of steam
ersa in the Pacific flying the rising sun
flag exceed those flying the stars and
stripes The Nippon Yusen Kaisha,
Japan's lusty giant of navigation, is one
of the largest steamship companies in
the world. and has more capital invested
in bottoms than any two companies Of
the same kind in the United States. The
president Of this company. who is COLI
ceded by European experts to be one Of
the leading authorities of the day on
the influence of merchant Marine
calmly Informed me that 1t was one ,qf
the Intentions Of his company to-,
ss,l1s as Sa1ss, ssass