The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-10-03
Our Future Problem in the Tropics,

We nave already annexed Hawaii, and it
now seems certain that the ultimate out
come of the war with Spain will be to leave
us possessed not only Of Porto Rico and
one Of the Ladrone Islands, but also Of a
considerable territory in the Philippines.
All Of these newly acquired domains lie
within the tropics, and we are thus con-
fronted for the first time with the question,
How can we best turn to account the nat
ural resources of regions the Genealogical
conditions Of which are unfavorable to pro-
longed residence and intense physical &C
tivity on the part Of men born and reared
In the temperate zones? By a curious CO.
incidence this very question has been lately
made the subject of study by Mr.. BEN
JAMIN KIDD in a series Of essays originally
contributed to a newspaper and since re-
printed in book form.
The economical Importance Of the tropics
to mankind is recognized by Mr.. KIDD as
actually vast and prospectively ~incalculable.
The statistics of British and American trade
bear impressive witness to the extent Of
our dependence upon tropical and sub
tropical products. Before reproducing the
striking data, we should mention that
the section OF the earth's surface which
Mr.. KIDD has in mind, when he speaks
roughly Of 1.-THE tropics" is the belt
OF territory on both sides Of the equator
within the parallels Of o north and 800
eouth. Outside of this zone lies in the
northern hemisphere nearly the whole Of
the territory of the United States and Of
Europe, besides the greater part Of Asia,
including Japan and two-thirds Of China.
In the southern hemisphere there would be
excluded from the belt the Cape Colony and
Natal, the Argentine Republic and Chill,
and the whole Of Great Britain's Australian
colonies, except Queensland. With the
tropics thus defined, the trade Of the United
Kingdom in 1896 amounted to $500, 0o0,-
600, while its trade with the English-speak-
ing world, not including the British tropics,
was valued at 81, 1876, 100000. The trade
of the United States in 1895 with the same
tropical belt amounted to $346, 600, 900,
while their commerce with the English
speaking world, not including the British
tropics, was valued in the same year at
1857, 900, 600.
The combined trade, then, of Great Brit
ain and the United States with the tropics
was 81, o3e, 900, 900. On the other hand,
the combined trade of these two countries
with the remainder OF the world, outside OF
English-speaking lands, was but So, $685.
100000. That is to say, their united trade
with the tropics represents about A per
cent. of their total trade with all the rest of
the globe. Imposing as these figures are,
they are insignificant compared with those
which the twentieth century Is destined
30 exhibit. In the immense regions COM
prised within the tropical belt are en-
bFaced some OF the richest territories on
the earth's surface. But, as yet, they
arc territories for the greater part I'M
developed. Throughout = considerable
proportion OF these regions exists a
state either Of anarchy or of primitive saw
agery, in which no attempt is made or can
be made TO turn to account the natural re-
sources lying ready to hand. Ovor a part
Of the remainder Of the tropical lands Eu-
ropean powers hold control, but in some
eases this control is maintained on princi.
pes beyond the exercise Of which the adj
Vauced peoples have certainly moved, and
ior which q substitute will have to be found,
the natural resources OF the tropics arc
70 be successfully exploited.
1t 10 Mr.. KIDS belief that the event
which is to play a great part in the TWEEN,
taeth century will be the final filling up by
Western peoples of all those tracts In the
temperate regions OF the earth which are
suitable for permanent occupation by them
As this process tends toward completion, II
may be expected that the i~nexpediency Of
allowing a great expanse OF territory In the
richest section of the globe, that, namely
comprised within the tropics, to remain
undeVeloped, with it's resources running
largely to wasto under the management o.
races Of low social efficiency, will be brought
home with ever-growing force to the minds
q the Western peoples. The day is prob