New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-12
cOuuERcTAL INTERESTS ~ ASIA.

We are a peaceful Nation. men say, whose
aim should he increase of industry rather than
cf navn, and military power. and extension or
commerce rather than of territorial possessions
The formcr part Of the proposition Is freely
granted Under the wise system Of Protection
our industries have grown and are growing M Il
rate that commands the wonder and admiration
of the world and under the same bcnencent IN
nucncc there Is hopeful prospect OF hitting ex-
lanSion of our foreign trade. The splendid IN
tcrnational commerce under the Mckinley tariff
was sor,ly demoralized by the Wilson ''pertidy
and dishoror," but is being restored by the OPP
Grafton of the Dlnglcy act. But Is II so sure thar
we should therefore dsbnnd the Army. scuttle
the Navy and haul down the Stars and stripes:
Not If the example of other nations is any cri-
ter.on And while w do not dcspise and dccry
American institutions and American patriotism
M some sclf-consttuted ccnsors affect TO do we
do not think this Nation Is so transccndcnily SUI
pcror 10 all the rest Of the human race that the
laws which have governed other peoples in all
time ere Of no eject upon ihc United States
II is absolutely true that trade follows tho
nac aad n is The flag OF III" army and navy
,aa' 10 follows Every nation that has built up
er.a, foreign commerce has first developed
great military or naval strength. and made II
felt or noticed in all those regions where Its
trade was to 60. That was true OF Athens and
OF Carthage In old times. That was true OF Ven
Ice and of Holland AT n later date. That was
true of England In the rise OF her unrivaed
greatness That was true OF the United States
half century and more ago. when merchant
men followed fast IN the foaniing wake OF the
squadrons Of Decatur and Perry. That IL true
OF the great commercial nations "f the world 10
day. Great Britain Is the greatest OF ALL ana
She has the greatest sea power ana the wides'
territorial extension. Germany IS seeking TO
rival her In trade. but frs; began building
nayics and acquiring colonla, empires. France
and Russia nrc doing The same. That Is their
object in selling upon Chinese ports and prov
inccs. But we, forsoOth, ale told that We
should compete successfully with them in trade.
but must refrain from the means which they
have found essential 20 their success. What
Kind ~ sense is that:
Our trade with China Is now growing rapidly.
II Is not impossible 10 suppose that 1t may have
been aided by the presence OF Admiral Dewey's
feet In Asian waters and by the prospect OF
American ACQUISITION Of the Hawaiian Islands
At any rate in the fiscal year which ends this
month our exports 10 China have been three
times n great as they were three years ago and
four times as great as eight years ago. In
many important lines tho Increase has been still
greater; in some tn or twelve fold since year
ago Is that bcnchCcnt process 10 he main
tanned? Arc we to keep on extending our COM
mcrcc In that part Of the world where CONNER
cial interests arc detained to be so vast, and TO
which nature has given us advantages OF ac-
ccs, superior 10 those OF any other land? 1t
Will be eternal share and immeasurablc loss TO
lis to answer no. But If We answer yes, the
necessary course IS clear as the MONDAY sun.
II is 10 cut IN lsihmian canal and give our At
lantic shipping dlrcctcst access 10 the Pacific:
10 luncx Hawaii and make II our nava! and
commercial halfway house in mid-Pacihc; and
pcrhaps that came expanding trade may require
us TO keep our flag flying above the Philippines.
! and 10 make of Manila an American Hong Kong.
| Thus could we expect to gain the master share
| of Eastern and Southern Asian commerce. That
| * the course any other great nation would pur-
sue II in our place. and we are neither so much
! better nor so much mcancr than Others that we
mood shrink from IT, or that we can neglect 1t
without Il fatal penalty.