The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-04-27

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the reduction of freight rates btween us
sand those nations with whom We are on
the frendliest terms, and with many of
whom we have commercial treaties?
II am silent as 10 the magnificent adj
vantage sucn route promises 10 our do
nestle trade, bringing this city 10000 miles
nearer by water TO San Francisco, the Co
lumbia river and Puget sound shortening
the time by steam from forty TO twenty
DAYS by sail from one hundred and twenty
to sixty-five, and reducing freight rates at
least one-thlrd; for my discussion this
evening is confined to our export trade and
its extension.
"Mr. President: While all the nations
of Europe are our commercial foes; while
Just now they fear us more than ever be-
fore. and. as China witnesses. are lining
up to stop our advance, we have abund-
ant cause for courage and hope. The I'M
expected has happened, increasing our
confidence in the future tenfold. Human
ity and a decent self respect forced up to
a declaration OF war against Spain. The
conflict was short sharp and decisive. In
a few months that proud kingdom became
a suppliant for peace. Commissioners
were appointed for peace Commissioners
were appointed by the President to settle
its terms; a treaty was signed, has been
ratified and proclaimed. Under its terms
Cuba is commercially ours; for. while We
refused to accept sovereignty there, and
intend to yield all claim TO authority
whenever stable government is formed.
that government win owe its life to us;
its people cannot fail to remember that
their freedom from oppression, from exact
ing and most burdensome taxation, from
hunger and starvation, is a gift from us.
Gratitude and contiguity will surely give
MS the trade When peace abides there,
and good government assures protection
to life and property, commerce win enor-
mbusly increase. Porto Rico lis ours, and
it's trade Will be.
"But more promising that the acquire
ment of many such islands, is the acqui-
sition by us, under the terms of the same
treaty. of the Philippine Archipelago. un-
doubleday the most fertile and productive
uuexplored land under the sun. For 300
wears under Spanish dominion, more OPP
nressive and cruel than known elsewhere
in the world; treated as a mere sponge
to be squeezed by the hand OF the oppres-
sor: burdened by taxation the most in
eenious and intolerable; without railroads
or highways; without any labor-saving
machinery; a third of its product rotting
on the ground for want OF transportation
to the sea: its revenues plundered by
Spanish officials; yet, in 1897, with rebel
lion rife, according to United States Com
missioner Harden, the exports were $41
1900; the imports, $17.S43 900; balance In
favor, So. 500 600.
Give the islands a good government,
protection to life and property, an adj
vancing civilization, increasing intelli-
gence, fair wages, honest collecting Of rev.
enues railroads and highways, improved
agricultural implements, cable communi-
cation with our country and Geographic
lines between them and who doubts that
commerce will, in few years be quad
rupled? The bulk OF 1t will he ours, even
with the open door, for we shall have the
advantage of England. Germany and
France in distance and In freight rates,
Under present conditions, these rates have
| been, since 1877 from Manila TO the Unit
| ed States, a little less, on the average,
than one-half those from Manila to Eng
land and 10 per cent. less from our coun-
| try to Manila than from England. The
islands are marveIousIy rich and produc-
| tive; not more than one-quarter of the till
able land under cultivation. They pro-
duce the best hemp known, while there
! is no limit to the demand for IT, sugar,
| copra indigo, tobacco. rice, fruits and veg
etabes of all kinds They are rich in
minerals. gold copper, lead, iron. the lat
ter yielding, in some mines. IS per cent.
pure metal. There is an abundance OF
coal in nearly all of the Islands. We have
paid for coal for Dewey's feet from So
| to $40 a ton. On the Island of Cebu II is
| found in enormous quantities, OF quality
superior to the japanese lump. practicai-
1y inaccessible now, for 1t is fifteen miles
| from the port Of cebu. A railroad for
| that distance viii land II at this port for
shilings a ton. The forests, of best
mercantile woods are boundless.
Under such government as this re-
public would establish, inviting capital
and affording security to II, the posslbili-
ties Of the archipelago are amazing. Ever
under Spanish dominion, IN 1863, a few
foreigners gathered 100000 capital. built q
steamer 90 ply between Iloilo and Cebu
and now the line has fifty reaching all
| the islands.
But the value to US OF the domestic
| trade of these possessions Is Insignificant
compared TO that regarded from a COM
mercial-strategic point Of view. They
front the entire China sea, are only two
days sail from Hong Kong; they intro
duce us 90 the Orient with It's seven, or
eight hundred millions of people with inn
ports now exceeding $500, 100000 annual
| lv. which advancing civilization will d0u-
| HE in a few years. They give US, for
the frst time a tremendous moral force,
a most potent voice FOR che preservation
/ az the open door In China. Who can es-
Innate the value IN the future OF such "A
| commanding position to our foreign COM
merce?
"Are we 10 fold our hands and allow
| thl,, harvest 10 be gathered by our rivals
we have treated with China. guarantee
| ing 10 ~ commercial rights ana privileges
equal 90 those Of the most favored ns-
TORS. Are we 10 st silently by and see
our treaty rights Invaded the doors closed
against us2 The nations OF the earth
are to-day near nclRhbors. They all heard
! the thunder Of Dewey's guns, and recog-