Evening star., 1898-05-14
SOUTH'S PRODUCTS
Opportunity for Building Up Trade in
Far East.
ASIA'S MILLIONS In need OF COTTON
Argument for Nicaraguan Cana
and Hawaiian Annexation.
IMPORTANT STATISTICS

The following paper, bearing upon the
opportunities presented by the conditions
in the far east for building up a trade in
products of the southern states of the
American Union, was furnished The Star
by Mr.. John Barrett, the United States
minister to Siam. 1t is an elaborate
presentation of a theme important to COM
mercial circles:
Does the south appreciate her opportuni-
ty in the far east? Does she realize that
the mighty markets of Asias millions
await her best efforts at exploitation? If
not, she should. The far east is not re-
served for our Pacific coast alone, not for
the manufacturing cities of our Atlantic
seaboard only not for the exclusive control
of Europe; no, not by any means, but for
the south of the United States as we'll
provided the opportunity is seized before
1t is too late
Some parts of the south and some south
erners, more enterprising than their COM
petitors, are already at work, and, if they
are reading what / write, can doubtless
southerner, however, will be skeptical in
accepting my suggestion that his particu-
lar portion of the United States has any
particular interest in the far east.
To get to my point: King Cotton can
tell the story
THE far east wants the south's cotton;
IL Wantc a lot OF II! II wants 1t now and
it wants a. lot of it! 1t wants 1t now and
years it will want twenty times what it de-
mands now.
II am not indulging in hair-brained fan
tasies nor writing for effect, as if perched
on some lofty pinnacle of erudition, where
L may look down and pity those who do
not know as much as L, as it were, but am
drawing conclusions from several years of
the closest personal observation and study
| of trans-Pacific lands. peoples and markets,
and from frequent discussions with the
best authorities on the resources and pos
sibilities thereof. Though born and raised
Yankee, and now a devoted resident of
the Pacific coast, / have always taken
deep and sincere interest in the progress
and development of Dixie confirmeds by
extended travel in her favored states and
by a course OF study at one of her great
institutions, Vanderbilt University, Nash
Vile, while absent from my own college in
the north for temporary sojourn in the
heart of the south, seeking information
on her resources and possibilities
Figures might be quoted statistics given
and argument upon argument of cold dry
facts advanced. but will forbear introduc-
ing them here, because I am not sure that
and do not wish to destroy my very object
of awakening interest among all by too
technical review Of the situation
DO not think 1 am .cock-sure'-do not
think that l think 1 am. Rather than
weaken my contentious by giving that inn
preston 1 will admit that may be alto
gethsr mistaken, but permit me to advance
a few facts In an effort to show that I am
not mistaken.
Asfn's Millions Want Cotton.
First. There are nearly 100000, 600 in
habitants Of these lands-far surprising the
United States In area--whose shores are
washed by the Pacific and ars directly
acr0ss the seas from our western coast.
Second. The demands Of these millions,