The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1898-06-21
NAvY--NISARAGUA CANAl--TRADE EX-
PhNSi0n.

There * no installing the fact that
there is growing sentiment i'll favor Of
territorial acquisition. The Manufactur-
ers' Record recently sent Il letter to the
leading Southern manufacturers, asking
three questions:
i. Should the United States bulid the
N~icdraguan canal:
-. Should we establish a strong navy -:
-. DO YOU believe that after the war
is over we ought to hold and develop
Cuba. Porto Rico and the Philippine
Islands. or should we turn them over
to the insurgents:
In this weeks issue it publishes Il num-
Der of replies. Nearly every one advo-
Gates the building of the Nicaragua ca
nal and the establishment of Il strong
navy. There is wide difference of opln-
ion as to the proper course to be pur-
sued when Cuba. Porto Rico and the
Philippines are in our hands. Most of
the cotton manufacturers are i'll favor
of Il policy that will give the trade Ct
these islands to America. We have space
only for two Of the answers. Mr.. Frank
~. -NIOIlIE. SCtIttdlS III tINiSulNA VI
the Caralcigh Mills, Raleigh, writes:
a. to the building of the Nicaraguan
canal, we will say that the trip Of the
Oregon proves ~conclusively that this
canal should have been already com-
pletcd. We lave always thought the
United States alone should build and
control this canal. You ask shall we
establish Il strong navy. The only an
.--A. =, tJi. ,,,artiAI &c va and tho
strongest III the world. us we are able
to do it. AS to holding and developing
the islands you name, will say that we
have always thought Cuba especially.
and Porto Rico probably. should be Il
part of the United States. AS to the
Philippines. we hardly think it adviS-
able for them to be owned by the UNI
ted States, as the cost of terrifying and
fceping II sufficient force on the islands
strong enough to protect them would
probably be more than they are worth
Mr.. ID. A. Tompkins. of Charlotte.
manufacturer and contractor for mills,
writes:
Il believe that the United States ought
to build the Nicaraguan canal. it would
be far more than worth its cost for its
value in defending the nation i'll case of
war. Its commercial value would also
alone far more than justify the cXpendi-
lures that have been expressed in the
estimate Of the engineers.
Il believe that the government ought
to have Il navy second to none i'll the
world. The United States has been pc
culiarly deficient since the civil war in
the maintenance of maritime interests.
| regard it to be not only important to
maintain Il strong navy. but measures
should be enacted that will also build up
Il merchant marine.
"ASSuminC that he will conquer Cuba
and the Philippines, | believe we ought
to maintain control of them in such Il
way as will give the United States prac-
teal control Of the trade with them. In
each of these countries we could dispose
of large quantities Of cotton goods. The
additional trade would probably give re
lief to the mills of the United States with
very little delay. The islands themselves
would be very much benefited by the
good government that they ought to get
under our control. Our young men would
find openings in these new countries, as
the English do in India. They are all
countries that we are told are capable
Of great Development"