The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-22

the sugge stion Of the annexation OK tnese
islands TO the United states.
in thus recognising the necessity OF
possessing a powerfm fleet OF war YES
sells as a factor IN defense or aggression
her statesmen. themselves opt students
OF history. have read to US a lesson wnicn
We might well commit to memory ana 10
practice.
Beyond japan. n few hundred miles 70
the west. lies the Chinese Empire. with
it's four hundred Millions OF people.
While japan hasa advanced China has
remained dormant. But VIII 'hls con-
tinue? Given new rulers, a new form OF
government. and the adoption OF western
ideas. and China Will throw OF It's yoke
Of conservatism. and then our Pacific
States Will be confronted Win u 5ecohu
Asiatic power many times greater thhl
Japan.
with these possibilities TO be consid-
cred. II behooves this country to make
itself strong where il Is now weak. in
other words Il should be our first effort
to develop our Pacific coast States.
Let us glance for moment at the ef-
feet OF an Isthmian canal upon ms de-
vclopment.
The moment that waterway is open
ed across Central America the produc-
ers of our Pacific States will DO brought
well-known law OF trade that nearness
10 a market will stimulate production.
The enormous grain products OK Call
fornfa. and Oregon are now taken 70 Eu-
rope around Cape Horn in sailing YES
sells n Ions, VOYAGE Of one hundred and
thirty days. which the canal would nj
once reduce 70 fifty days. what otner
argument than this statement is required
TO show the importance Of the canal as
4 Ts.r.fra P0Nfnn
States? Tho opposition OF the transcon-
finenral railroads to tho construction OF
the canal Is based upon the fallacy that
its existence will operate 20 their injury.
This is a fear without foundation. ON
the contrary. the canal will be OF benent
10 those roads for whatever tends 10 IN
crease the population OF our Paolnc coas.
and develop its resources, as tne canai
will surely do, must necessarily help the
railroads. which have never been able 10
carry any Of the grain and lumber pro-
ducts from California, oregon, and WASH
ington TO an Atlantic port
Grain and lumber. the reader must I'M
derstand. have not 2 value in proportion
TO their weight. which will allow their
transport by rail across the continent 70
an Atlantic port where they must go on
their way 10 a European market. TOT
years past there have been exported an
nually from California and oregon near
ly a million tons Of wheat. every Dushsl
Of which has gone around Capo Horn.
All grain exported from California Is at
present taken 10 the Pacific port Of ship
ment BY the railroads Through the
existence Of the canal there Will un-
doubtediy be an increase In the guam
titv exported IN other words. there
will be more for the railroads to carry
to the shipping point Add 10 this the
increase in the population or the Pacl-
hc states seen to follow the completion
Of the canal, and 10 Is dificult 20 UNDER
stand why the construction Of the canal
should be opposed by those who control
these railroads Such opposition is I'M
reasonable 20 a degree and Is entitled 70
little consideration when we recognize the
enormous benefits that must accrue 70
the United States through the complet-
ing Of a waterway that will connect the
Atlantic with the Pacific ocean
This PROTECTED waterway will also IN
duce immigration. and thus develop that
section OF our country far more than IL
has ever been developed By the trans
continental railways.
II is we'll known that our Pacific coast
States possess many features THAI usual
ly attract immigration. Notwithstand-
ing this fact. they have not Increased
I'm population as rapidly as many or the
Northwestern states. and not at all IN
proportion TO their great area The Eu-
ropean emigrant before coming 10 Amer
lea may have heard OF California, with
fits attractive climate and its diversi-
ned products. but landing OF an Allan
tie seaport. he finds a suitable resting
place long before ne can reach his Mecca,
for between our Eastern and Western
shores lie numbeTless large and attrac-
tive cities. tfeming with busy life ana
innumerable industries; many snug farms
and hOmelike villages. in some one OF
which our immigrant knows that he viii
find q friend from his mother country.
As the OVERLOOKING train speeds on IL
way across the wide continent II loses
q passenger at this town. another at that
hamlet. so that when it's ultimate de-
situation is reached 70 gives up less than
1 per cent Of the number which started
with 1t from the Atlantic seabOard.
Should our immigrant set sail In a YES
sci. bound by way Of the Isthmian canal
for California, he reaches the goal of his
hopes without temptation TO disembark