The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-06-01

President James ]. Hill. OF TIE Great
Northern, was interviewed yesterday az
te-noon before his departure from the city
on the many and varied phases OF the
present war situation. as considered from
the commercial standpoint. He talked
freely on the subject. and said many
things that VIII probably interest num-
Der of readers.
1.-The war said Mr.. Hill. may be said
to be practically over. The preparations
that have been going on under the direc-
ton of the government have now reached
such an advanced stage that there remains
az q finishing stroke only to make them
conclusively effective by use. To put it
simply. we have loaded the cannon: We
have only TO put the match to the fuse.
On the other side. there are two reasons
why the war cannot last: Spain has not
the forces with which to fight: she has
no money and cannot get any. Her credit
is ruined. &c. taking 1t all together. We
may say the war 10 practically ended. II
will be decisiveiy ended as soon a. We
move our forces.
Was In favor Of the war? Well, this
is not the time TO discuss such a question
The war has come: We are in the midst
OF IL now. and II is every mans duty to
stand Loyalty by his country. We are fac
ing a condition which can be better met
with active support OF the result than
with idle discussion OF the cause"
Against AnElo-SaxOn Alliance.
In answer to q request for his views on
the question of an AngIo-Saxon alliance.
Mr.. Hill replied:
Il can see no necessity for such an aili-
ance, nor do / think 1t probable. II
II should be made. there Is no doubt that
its advantages could be held In common,
or that the two governments would make
its act reciprocally. But cannot see the
use of 1t. The political and commercial
policies Of Great Britain and the United
States are so similar that there are not
enough cardinal differences to necessitate
an adjustment by alliance. consequently
the need falls nat. Each nation maintains
open ports and freedom of trade, so where
is the special occasion?
With regard TO the prevalent belief
among all the European nations, saving
England, that the United States Is carry
ing on war with Spain for the acquisition
of territory. MIR. Hill was asked whether
he considered this unjust estimate was the
result OF their judging this country by
themselves, or whether il was due to real
ignorance. He replied:
II think the latter reason is the true one.
They don't understand the American peo-
pie. They look upon US as nation OF
shop-keepers, as purely a tradespeople.
thinking We have no interests other than
mercantile. Believing this, they are OF
course far from able to judge correctly our
motives for freeing Cuba. They are too
apt and ready to judge us by what they
see in the newspapers, and their estimate
is further biased by the general action.
or lack of action, of congress. That body
seems to have no well defined policy, to
be actuated by no motives except the de-
sire Of individual members for re-elec-
ton. True, there are exceptions. There
are some able men there, but 1t would be
at large IL the chief legislative body held
more OF the kind OF statesmen the coun-
try used 10 be blessed with"
We should Keep the Philippines.
Turning to the more immediate consid-
Grafton of the relation OF the war to COM
merce. Mr.. Hill was asked whether he
thought the United States should hold the
Philippines. His reply was emphatic. He
said
IF the question depended upon my de-
cision, they certainly would be kept. II
you go back in the commercial history OF
who controlled the trade OF the Orient
have been the people who held the purse
strings of nations. The republic OF Ven
ice, Portugal, Spain. the Transatlantic
League and Great Britain each in turn,
has controlled the Oriental trade. and each
in turn IL proof conclusive of the state
ment Now the United States stands next
to Great Britain In the China trade. With
an enormous sea coast on the Pacific. near
er than any other nation to the East, that
IL 10 say. China and Japan there Is no
adequate reason why We should not con-
troll a vastly larger proportion Of it's trade
than we do While not seeker after the
territorial division OF China. l think that
the great commercial activity on the Pa
cific ocean which seems almost certain TO
follow the present war, coupled with the
present situation In the East. should adj
vance this country by great strides to-
ward the first place in the table Of national
shipping. Both the Sandwich islands and
the Philippines would be exceedingly use
fui and convenient additions TO our for
eign trade. | am disposed TO admit, how
ever that after the war is settled the ad-
! iustment Of the acquisition might prove a
troublesome question 10 deal with, Yet
as | said az first II the matter were my
own for disposal. / should hold the Phil
ippines.
Surprised the World.
The United States must have a foreign
policy II we will learn by experience
there will be little difficulty In appreciat-
ing the benefits Of and the necessity for
sound commercial methods. Take the past
year, for example, when we surprised the
world and ourselves by showing whist
rapid progress We ean make when 2 aced
on & reasonably sound commercial base
The large amount of cash. OF money. Of
gold which the United States was able 10
draw from other nations during the past
year demonstrates plainly that We must be
considered as holding, and capable Of aoid-
ing an important place among the actively
commercial nations OF the world either IN
the problem OF food supply. or In tae stIil
more complicated one OF occupation. II
We are able 20 put our natural resources
into marketah bic form az reasonable cost.
the United States ought very soon TO De
the larEes: creditor nation among the ac-
tive peoples 90 Tire zlahe.
TN order TO become SO the principal
thing necessary = ocean ;rsnspcrta len.
especially on the Pacific. on the At