The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-09-15
Our Asiatic Trade.
From the st. Cloud JournaI-Press.


In a notable speech made Saturday evening
at ST. Paul, on the occasion Of the reception
given to Senator Davis, James ]. Hill, presi-
dent or the Great Northern Railway company
more fully developed the central idea of a
speech delivered last winter before the Min
nesota Editorial association, on the great i'm
portance of Asiatic commerce to the farmers
Of the United States, and especially to those
OF the Mississippi valley. Mr.. Hill has made
this matter of careful study, and the facts
and figures he gives as we'll as his clear rea-
sonlng from them, cannot but carry convic-
uon to men of sound business judgment who
VIII give the subject fair and candid con-
sheraton. TO begin with he declared that
In view Of the undreamed-of advance in the
lacllltles for 1ntercommunication between the
dlnerent nations Of the world the policy of
Isolation which was wise in the early days
OF the republic can no longer be maintained
except to our great commercial detriment
The United States must reach out and pos
sess its full share of the commerce of the
world. The richest markets lie to the west
or us, where Is one-third of the population
OF the globe. Mr.. Hill would have the wheat
crops OF the Pacific states carried to Asia in
stead OF to Europe, thus reducing the uuan-
tlty to be exported from the United States
to British and other ports from 80, 900, 600 to
4O,OOOOOO annually, leaving only 60 OOO,O 900 to
the T.
ing advantage to the farmers of the United
States Of an increase in the price of wheat
from 10 to 20 cents per bushel At present
the Pacific coast wheat is loaded and shipped
as soon as 1t is harvested, seeking buyers in
stead OF being sought by buyers with the
inevitable result Of depressing the price.
This wheat shipped to Asia would find a new
and profitable market and the farmers of
Minnesota and the other wheat-raising states
OF the Mississippi valley would be freed from
the unfortunate effects of its competition in
European markets.
How is this to be brought about? Mr..
Hill says that the one obstacle in the way is
the 1mpossibility of securing vessels in
winch to transport this wheat to the Orient
Inc capacity OF every ship is now taxed to
Its utmost to carry the cotton that is going
to Asia. Very few people are aware of the
TACT that last year over 60, 900 900 pounds of
cotton passed through St. Paul destined for
that continent. Mr.. Hill said that while at
oeatCie. lew days ago, he saw cablegram
from Chinese house at Hong Kong ask
ing figures on 100000 barrels of flour tn
make which would require $500 900 bushels
Oh wheat But the transportation could nor
De mad and cannot be had until ships are
Quilt to take care of all this trade. Mr.
Elll meets the problem practically, and
doubtless in the only way in which it can he
met He would have congress give ships en-
gagged In this trade bonus of 81 per ton.
which, based on the assumption that a vessel
of 5000 tons burden would leave q Pacific
coast port for the Orient every day in the
year, would mean an annual expenditure for
this purpose of So O0O0 OO The benefits In
the people of the United States from such an
investment would be almost incalculab'e and
the money could be taken from the govern
ments annual appropriation for rivers and
harbors without detriment to any general or
important local interest. 1t would simply he
IN line with the policy which has been fol-
lowed by Great Britain and other Euroneap
countries in building up merchant marine
whlc~ enables them to enter with their nrod
uctS the ports OF any and every nation on the
globe. 'ii TIC
o,a The growth of commerce in the Pa
century Will unquestonably be little short
oI marvellous, and If the people of this coun-
Try are to have their share of it they must
encourage the building of ships in which to
carry 1t The tribute we have paid and are
still paying to the owners of foreign vessels
belonging to subsidized lines-is enormous.
build our own ships, and, under existing con-
ditions, the sailing of ships under the Ameri-
can nag in competition with foreign ships, is
impossible, and be made possible only
by means of a bonus such as is suggested
by Mr.: Hill. The profit would be fully as
great to the people as it could possibly be
to the steamship companies.
This matter is one which vitality interests
the farmers in Minnesota, which affects every
interest in Minnesota, and our senator's and
representatives in congress should be urged
to press the early consideration of bill to
meet this situation. 1t is not in any respect
a. political question, or should not be- but if
1t is made one let the Republican party take
the lead, as it always does in the interest
OF the people. The successful establishment
OF lines of steamships from the United States
to Asiatic and also to South American mar
kets means more to the commercial devel-
opment of this country and more to the pros
perity of the West than does anything else
that engages public attention or is likely
to engage it for years to come. Mr.. Hill
has considered the question from the most
commanding and far-reaching point of view
and he has given our legislators abundant
reasons for prompt and practical action.