The San Francisco call., 1899-08-31

]. A. Filcher, manager of the State
Board OF Trade. says that The Call is cor
rect in the statement that this is one of
the largest commercial and industrial
movements of the world.
1T is a recognized fact" said he, that
China is one of the richest fields on the
globe for commercial enterprise, for her
resources are as numerous as her terri
tory is extensive. European nations real
ize this and they have shown that the
only way that they can get into that field
is to parcel out the country among them
selves. China s only hope for preservation
nation and America is the only one she
can rely upon. No wonder that her Of
fers are f1attering, and the capital that
gets into this project will reap rich re-
ward You may rest assured that the ar
ucle In The Call this morning has been
telegraphed to the capital Of every Euro
pean nation and millions of dollars will
be spent to get at the true lnWardneSS OF
the movement now in hand by the moneyed
men of this city. That the diplomats will
combat 1t is assured. However, l feel
that the shrewdnesS of Americans will
be manifest in not letting this opportunity
for golden returns go by unheeded.'
A. Sbarboro, one of the successful bus
mess men Of this State, sees in the offer
made an opportunity for the enlarging of
the manufacturing industries of Califor-
MIA never dreamed of before by the peo-
pie at large. San Francisco is the natural
gateway TO the Orient and he says that it
the products of the Pacific Coast would
have first choice with buyers in China.
DR.. Gilbert Reid. who has resided in China
for the past twenty years, and VINO is as
familiar with its inside affairs as any
American in the world, called upon Mr..
Sbarboro yesterday to discuss oriental
matters. While he speaks with certain
amount of caution still his remarks show
that he Is thoroughly conVersant with the
situation under discussion.
1T is important" he said, for people
at home to understand that the present
regime under the dictation of the En-
press Dowager is not opposed to progress
She herself, during twenty-five years in
the regency that preceded the reign of
the present Emperor, was always regard
ed as favorable to progressive measures.
Ii Hung Chang. her chief adviser, was at
the head of the progressive party. To-
day she Is only opposed to the extreme
drastic and impra cticable measures as
proposed by the excited advisers of the
young Emperor. She is perfectly Wiling
to have improvements introduced INTO the
country If they are really improvements
Otherwise she will prefer those tnlnSs
which have come down from the ancient
past and have proved their fitness to the
Chinese life.
Americans all along have been re
garded with favor by both the merchant
and official classes in China. Naturally
the opportunity presented to Americans
is greater than that presented to to other
nationalities still the affairs of China are
in a critical condition and the present is
the time when important decisions will
be made which will concern the future
position of other countries in the affairs
of China Whoever is first on the ground
Will have the advantage. whoever dllly-
dallies along, waiting for others to take
the lead. will inevitably be left behind.
Americans as rule are energetic and en-
terprising, have. unbounded courage and
faith and are ready to see their opportuni-
ties In all parts of the world: They are
realizing the great opportunities for eX-
tension of trade and influence amid the
vast population of the Orient, and yet 1t
may be that through lack of combination
they will fail to secure their position IN
the changes that are now taking place
In the far East. while other countries, by
promptness and the support of their own
Governments. will secure a prior claim
and commercial advantage such as 1t will
be impossible for Americans to alter in
the future. Thus far all the, great con-
cessions. both in railways and In mining,
have. gone to the companies. of other
countries. This means that the trade OF
other countries will also be increased and
that the influence which other Govern
ments will have will also be increased.
The future. position of America in China
Will depend on action taken within the
next year or twop