The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-06-01
WOULD HOLD THE PHILIPPINES
Believes the United states should
Take Advantage Of Every Aid to
the Control of the Trade Of the
Orfent-Need Of Americas Shfpa in
the Pacifc-OppOses Anxio-Saxon
Alltance-War Now About Over.


present war situation. as considered from
the commercial standpoint. He talked
freely on the subject. and said many
things that will probably interest a num-
Der OF readers.
THE war" said Mr.. Hill, may be said
to be practically over. The preparations
that have been going on under the direc-
ton of the government have now reached
such an advanced stage that there remains
as a finishing stroke only TO make them
conclusively effective by use. To put it
simply, We have loaded the cannon; we
have only 10 put the match TO the fuse.
On the other side. there are two reasons
why the war cannot last: Spain has not
the forces with which 10 fight: she has
no money and cannot get any. Her credit
is ruined So, taking 1t all together, We
may say the war is practically ended. It
will be decisively ended as soon as We
move our forces.
WAS / in favor OF the war? Well, this
is not the time 10 discuss such question.
The war has come; We are in the midst
Of il now and il Is every mans duty TO
stand loyally by his country. We are fac
ing a condition which can be better met
with active support OF the result than
with idle discussion of the cause"
Against AnGlO-Saxon Alliance.
In answer to a request for his views on
the question of an Anglo-Saxon alliance,
Mr. Hill replied
Il can see no necessity for such an alli-
ance. nor do think ii probable. II
II should be made, there is no doubt that
It's advantages could be held in common.
or that the two governments would make
its act reciprocally. But l cannot see the
use of it, The political and commercial
policies OF Great Britain and the United
States are so similar that there are not
enough cardinal differences to necessitate
an adjustment by alliance, consequently
the need falls fiat. Each nation maintains
open ports and freedom of trade, so where
is the special occasion?"
With regard to the prevalent belief
among all the European nations. saving
England that the United States Is carry
ing on war with Spain for the acquisition
of territory, Mr. Hill was asked whether
he considered this unjus, estimate was the
result of their judging this country by
themselves, or whether 1t was due 10 real
ignorance. He replied:
Il think the latter reason is the true one.
They don't understand the American peo-
pie They look upon us as nation OF
sAop-keepers, as purely tradespeopie,
thinking We have no interests other than
mercantile. Relieving this, they are of
course far from able TO judge correctly our
motives for freeing Cuba. They are too
apt and ready to Judge us by what they
see in the newspapers, and their estimate
is further biased by the general action,
or lack of action, OF congress. That body
seems to have no well defined policy. 70
he actuated by no motives except the de-
sire of individual members for re-elec-
ton. True. there are exceptions There
are some able men there. but Il would be
better for the country and for the people
at large il the chief legislative body held
more of the kind OF statesmen the coun-
try used TO be blessed with"
We should Keep the Philippines.
Turning to the more immediate consid-
Grafton of the relation Of the war 10 COM
merce, Mr. Hill was asked whether he
thought the United States should hold the
Philippines. His reply was emphatic. He
said:
IF the question depended upon my de-
clslon. they certainly would be kept. II
you go back in the commercial history OK
the world you VIII find that the people
who controlled the trade OF the Orient
have been the people who held the purse
strings OF nations. The republic of Ven
ice. Portugal Spain, the Transa tlantic
League and Great Britain. each In turn,
has controlled the Oriental trade. and each
In turn Is proof conclusive Of the state
ment Now the United States stands next
10 Great Britain in the China trade. With
an enormous sea coast on the Pacific. near
er than any other nation to the East, that
Is 10 say, China and Japan. there is no
ADEQUATE reason why we should not con-
troll vastly larger proportion Of !ts trade
than we do While not a seeker after the
territorial division OF China. think that
the great commercial activity on the Pa
ci'ic ocean which seems almost certain 20
follow the present war, coupled with the
present situation in the East should ad-
vance this country by great strides to-
ward the first place In the table 81 national
shipping Both the Sandwich islands and
the Philippines would be exceedingly use
fli and convenient additions 10 our for
eign trade ! am disposed 20 admit how
ever. that after the war Is settled the sd-
iustment Of the acquisition might prove a
troublesome question 10 deal with. Yet,
as I said at first. IL the matter were my
own for disposal, / should hold the Phil
tppines.
surprised the world.
The United States must have a foreign
policy. II We VIII learn by experience.
there viii bt. little difficulty in appreciat-
ing he benefits % and the necessity fer
sound commercial methods. Take the past
YEAR. for example. when We surprised the
world ard ourselves by showing what
raDid progress We can make when 2 aced
on A reasonably sound commercial base
Tn. large amount OF cash. II money, Of
geld which the United States Was able TO
draw from other nations during the past
year Il ulonstrates plainly that we mus; Re
considered "a holding and capable OF nod
iuE A. Important place among the actively
commercial nations % the world either IN
tne problem Of food supply, or In tee stn
mare complicated one OF occupation. II
we are able 20 pat our natural resources
into Tnarket8tIe form - reasonable cost.
the United STATES ought very son 70 ne
tne .arzrS. creditor ustsea among TIE &C.
tive peoples OF the globe
IN order 10 become - the principal
tang necessary : ocesa t;ansporia ION
especially - }ae Paci6>. on tire At
.aaftc international transportation ha- a.
r,..dy reached me stage where It synuu0ts
30 nothing less than steam ferry. Ev-
er5- ca tAere are hs.f dom large lrers
t+-avt~u ss.fN side Tina sid - - CON-