The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1898-08-24

luleTebbb ueeDly every people on JnB BlODB, |
But before us, in the far east at this very |
moment, are opening gates that will in q
few years reveal q market transCending In
value our own and transcending our own
immensely in its potentialities for the fu-
ture. The full magnitude of this opening
era has not yet dawned upon the world.
The far. seeing statesmen Of Europe see 1t;
far-seeing America will soon compass it.
Looked at from every side-its certainty, its
immediate proportions, its immeasurable
potentialities for growth-it reveals Itself
as q world event commercially more inn
portant than the discovery Of America; an
event in many respects without a parallel
in the history OF mankind.
The character OF the eastern trade, too,
will be suited exactly to the present situa-
ton Of the people OF the United States. We
have come to a point OF development where
we need takers of our manufactures. The
product of our soil, beyond domestic needs,
go to Europe; but Europe, in the nature Of
things, can take but little Of the products OF
our mills. We have for years past been
looking for markets toward the West Indies
and toward the agricultural peoples OF
South America, and have, by treaties Of re-
ciprocity and by the acqualnting influences
of such institutions as the Bureau OF Amer
lean Republics, assiduously cultivated these
fields. MOI have our hopes been whollyldis-
appointed. Commerce and manufactures
have felt the cheering effects OF growing
trade from these directions. Blu all the
West Indies and South America combined
contain not one-eighth Of the population OF
this new field. The wants OF almost a half
score OF people beckon to us from across the
Pacific for the wants of every one that call
to us from the southern hemisphere. They
are a people, too, who, like the people Of
South America, and unlike those OF
Europe, are in need Of manufactures, and
will call for that side Of our resources in
their development. A trade OF that charac-
ter will exactly supplement the character
OF trade we already have with Europe.
Could our situation be more fortunateY
Lying between two great and populous con-
tinents with the highways OF the ocean to
each, we should feed the one from our fields
and supply from our centers OF industry the
things involved In the wants OF the other.
The opportunity is at hand to become the
workshop as well as the granary OF the
world.
ripened into our lap. We must assume re-
sponsibilities and make preparations pro-
portionate to the results to be achieved.
Obviously the first need is the right to go
into Asia on equal terms with every other
people. This we must be prepared to de-
mand. The great powers of Europe, ac-
customed through centuries to the planting
of new settlements and to regulations
under which the trade of these is exclusive
ly controlled, are extending these devices
to the far East. All save England are play
ing for a trade monopoly, not through merit,
but by virtue OF treaty or concession. IN
fortunately the field for their operations if
plastic to diplomacy. The favorite condi-
lions exist. The Chinese Empire is highly
heterogeneous, and on that account easily
open to internal disorder and dissension
It is hard pressed for money and honeycomb
ed with corrupt officialism. 1t crumblet
easily wherever touched. 1t will, unless
hedged about, fall easily into the hands o.
those who are plotting for its possession,
But in reality there is no need that abe
English speaking people should permit THU
play OF medieval selfishness. There is in
the case of Asia no room, rightfully, for the
application of these old policies that grew
out OF colonization and discovery. Asia is
in this respect, unique. No power cat
claim preference by right of discovery, fol
the settlement and civilization of Chint
antedates that Of Europe. No power car
obtain preference by colonization, for thu
population is already denser than that o.
the most %populous state OF Europe. From
every point of view, either of international
law or Of common equity, it is a field tina
can be made open alike to every nation o.
the globe. America, joining Great Britain
should see to it that thist field remain com
mon ground upon which the enterprise ano
civilization of every nation may compete
on equal terms. Such O step would be nc
political alliance with any European power
1t would simply be asserting independently
a right we share in common with mankind
With a free field our could
perhaps without further aid, more than hole
its own. We have, indeed, since 1875, con
stantly increased our commercial grasI
upon Japan. In 1897 we had more thai
twelve and one-half per cent of her entire
trade. At that ratio, in fifteen years, We
ought to be sending annually to China S2Co,
600, 900 Of merchandise, or one-half as mucI
as that, exclusive of purely agriculture
products, we now send to all the other PEG
Piles OF the earth.
But commerce., however, virile and enter
prising, ought not to be left to shift for it
self. Government should always give to il
the aid of its presence and moral force. Inc
importance OF this cannot be overestimated
Physical presence-the power hat flows
from personal contact-is the force thai
dominates everywhere. This has proven
itself over and over again in trade between
individuals, in politics, in the propagation
Of moral truths, in every relation OF life
We may not comprehend the philosophy
but we know the fact. Nations impress
themselves upon the people OF other ma
tions after the same manner. They take or
relations with others largely as they are
drawn to each other by physical contact,
A nation that seeks trade and influences
must make itself seen and felt.
But the physical presence OF a nation tt
people of foreign lands 10 Its flag, its war
ships, and the power it Yields within thu
sphere OF their observation. A harbor II
the Philippines, well g~aarisoned, and SOY
ereignty over the islands or a portion o
them, would be the embodiment OF Amer
lea in Asiatic waters.
Our course seems clear, If we are in earn
est in our purpose to participate in the de
velopment Of the East. We need thes'
islands as an integral part Of the nava
force, without the display OF which we cal
never obtain a proper share in her com
merce or protect 1t after 1t Is obtained; WI
need them in the interest OF the merchan
ships that will for all time carry that com
MERGE on; we need them as strategic point
in a naval contest with Any power on tn,
earth; we need them that we may draw
physically close to that quarter of the globe
In which we wish our influence to be fell
and our m to expands; We neeC
them, above all other considerations, as Sc
curity toward peace that character o.
peace bond that all nations respect.
l am not unaware that what | have sait
The appeal, however, is not solely to thu
commercial spirit. Commerce, after all, Il
the f%orerunner only of every form Of civil
~ization. Civil liberty and better culture
follow in it's leadership. By creating new