Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-01-20
Commercial Inquiry Needed


The Philippine commission appointed by
President Mckinley have indeed a great
work before them. The result of their in
vestigation will surely be productive of
much good, and will, undoubtedly, to a
great extent solve the wisdom of our ex-
pansion policy. 1t would seem, however.
that while they are in the far east they
could also act as commercial commission
10 investigate the reported great CONNER
ciai opportunities offered by this field
England has recently sent one of her most
eminent commercial scholars to study this
most momentous question of markets in the
lar east The United States should not be
backward in this respect. As one of the
greatest commercial nations of the world il
should surely see if these markets are real
iy open, as has been reported or not
II IS exceedingly peculiar that notwith-
standing the fattering consular reports Of
bright trade opportunities in these countries
our exporters, according to statistics have
not embraced this field as they should have
done This, too, in face of the fact that
they are constantly looking for new fields TO
Conquer. The commercial commission could
easily examine this subject and report upon
the unexplained circumstance of rejected
markets, if such they should happen to be
Ihey could also observe the methods of
successful traders in comparison with our
own, which are said to be unsufta BILE for
these peoples wants. Needless to say, our
exporters would regulate themselves large
ly, according to their report
That such a commercial commission is
required is evidenced by the following plea
recently made before the President by Mr.
F, B. Thurher of New York:
Mr.. President: You have done more than
any other man to protect our home mar
ket and develop our American industries,
until they now produce more than we can
consume. and the great problem is to widen
our markets 50 as to keep our labor and
capital remuneratively employed. In be-
half of the United States Export Associa-
ton, of which | am president, an organi-
cation whose membership comprises lead
ing houses in nlnety-seven principal lines
of manufacture, situated in twenty-one
states, well as other kindred associat 'ons.
L would ask your earnest consideration of
TINS subject of the market for American
industries
With the Nicaragua canal to assist us in
our immense commerciaiism, and with the
American merchant marine resurrected by
appropriate congressional action. the time
has indeed come for proper investigation of
trade conditions in other countries When
these great purposes are realized there is
no questioning the fac that We win be
FAR in the lead in the great competitive in
ternaticnal commercial race.
The author of China in Transforma-
ton has told us some startling truths
which have awakened every nation to the
Importance of this great and aged dynasty
The Americans seem to be the least con-
cerned in this serious though interesting
ances they will have neighboring possess
sions. If they have other interest their
commercial instinct should arouse them to
some action whereby they will not forever
be pIecluded from entering into trade COM
petition with the greedy foreign squatters
who now seem to hold the key of the stu
alton. With the Philippines in our posses
sion, however, we will have the most i'm
portant trade port and industrial station
in the far east, so that in fact we should
control the bulk of trade in these waters.
Again, as neighbors to these 4000000O0
of people, we should with neghborly kind
ness offer to supply their numerous needs
for substantial consideration. This cannot,
however, be done, if we do not know, how,
where and when to SELL A commercial COM
mission could easily supply this valuable
data with other interesting statistics, and
II our exporters are really earnest there
should be no difficulty in entering this large
and rich field. There is, no doubt whatever
that our goods in fair contest can hold
their own anywhere, and with those of any
other nation What We now mostly require
! Is to secure such opportunity that our
superiority be demonstrated forever and
conceded by all.
commercial commission would also in
cidentally, prove valuable adjunct to the
american Paris exposition commission.
They could indicate what exhibits should
be especially noteworthy, so that we could
regulate ourselves thereby. In fact they
could secure information concerning the
vast wants and needs of this great section,
which would be of inestimabe value to our
progressive exhibition.
The Philippine commission is composed
of men thoroughly yersed in the economic
problems of the day, that their investi-
cation upon the commercial situation in
this conceded rich field would be authorita-
tive.
Thus when their important political mis-
sion in the Philippines is completed let
them, a commercial commission, travel
through Japan, China, Siam and adjacent
territory. The benefits to be derived from
a proper investigation of this region would
be of incalculable advantage, if rightly util-
lied, to our army of exporters and
also to American industries in general I'm
deubtedly. trade commission will be re-
quired and called for later, and there will,
perhaps, be general opposition in Congress
because of the cost. The present oppor-
tunity would be exceedingly economical and
should be embraced
Americas manifest destiny is to rule the
seas, and as step toward this end the
markets beyond the should, as soon
as possible, be exposed to her watchfui
eyes. This can only, however, be accom-
pished by the aid of commercial commits
sions GUS. A SCHULDT
January 10, 1890.
Men, said the dear girl, ''have as much
idle curiosity as women"