Kentucky Irish American. (Louisville, Ky.) 1898-1968, 1898-11-26
The Greatest Steel Manufact-
urer on Earth Expresses
His Reasons.
Warns the President That He
Must Reckon With All
Europe.
THE PEOPLE WILL DECIDE RIGHTLY

Andrew Carnegie, the great Pennsylva
MIA manufacturer, has declared against
the annexation of the Philippines, and
through the New York World gives his
reasons therefor After complimenting
the World for the position it has taken,
he says:
We draw closer and closer to the prob
lem, and fortunately two members of the
Cabinet have at last told us where they
stand. 1t is most desirable that the other
members speak out, even if they take the
side of imperialism.
If the people today knew that Presi-
dent Mckinley had convictions on the
subject to which he would stand, half the
danger would be over.
Secretary Gage has not only told us
that he has changed his views and is a
convert to imperialism, but he has fortu-
nately given us the reason. All that is
necessary is that our public men should
give reasons for the Republic abandoning
the policy which has made her great. He
accepts the dangers and cost of imperial
ism against his own wishes for the sake
of commercial expansion.
Now, Secretary Gage has never manu-
featured anything nor exported anything
he is neither in manufacturing nor in
commerce. am in both. Our concern
is today the largest manufacturer in the
world in It's line, and l believe it is also
today the largest exporter OF manufact-
ures in the United States.
We have within two years begun to
send our steel to all parts Of the world.
Our sales reach into the millions of dol.
lars. We have our London house now as
we have in New York The foreign bust
ness is growing. by leaps and bounds.
Now, one of the reasons why oppose
imperialism-th acquisition of the Phil
ippines, for instances commercial ex-
pansion.
The reason that Secretary Gage gives
for acquiring the Philippines is the reason
why would not. He believes it would
be favorable to commercial expansion: l
know that it would be detrimental.
The Secretary gave no reason for think
ing that the acquisition of distant possess
sions would increase our foreign trade.
Permit me to state reasons why it would
not increase, but decrease it.
Foreign trade rests upon peace and Sc
curity; the waters must be calm, disturb
ing influences absent, to foster trade i'll
foreign parts.
Two weeks ago British consols fell 25S /; |
there was a rumor of war with France;
money needed by manufacturers and ex-
porters rose to double what it had been.
Our financial operations in London COW
ering our foreign trade were Immediately |
transferred to New York, which for the
time became the financial centre OF the |
world. Money exchange was furnished
us cheaper here than London could give.
The culver that went through the COM
mercial world in Britain arrested COM
merce at many points. New York was
secure beyond the zone OF disturbance;
there was no war rumor which affected
the Republic. Great Britain was within
the zone and her business was disturbed.
Should we undertake to hold the Phil
ippines we Immediately place the whole
Republic within the zone OF wars and
rumors of wars, and the rumor OF war, 1t
must be remembered, is i'll itself destruc-
tive to commerce. 1t was only rumors of
war that threw us from London back to
New York.
If Secretary Gage is not satisfied
with the commercial expansion which
this country is enjoying what will satisfy
this mann have seen nothing like it in
NV lifetime, nor have read of anything
comparable to it.
Without distant possessions the Repub-
lie. solid, compact, safe from the zone of
war disturbance, has captured the worlds
markets for many products, and only
needs continuance of peaceful condi-
tons to have the industrial world at its
feet. Our exports now exceed the exports
of Great Britain. What does Secretary
Gage mean by talking of commercial ex-
pansion to come, when the question to-
day is, how shall we meet the commercial
expansion crowding upon us'
If the Secretary of the Treasury has
time to spare, let me suggest that he can
use it to better advantage studying how
to give to our exporters suitable steam
ship lines to carry away the traffic that is
offered. This is the one great want of
the United States in the way of CONNER
cial expansion, not the management OF ]
barbarous regions involving race troubles
far exceeding those we have at home.
There is another point that Secretary ]
Gage fortunately has to consider.
should like to ask the Administration one
question which the President and Cabinet
must soon think of. Il
Are the Philippines to be considered 1
part of the American Republic, as Porto :
Rico is, and are we to keep them for our