Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1899-10-25
aaliseellanen1s 8eading.
The OPEN DOOR POLICY.
South Carolina Manufacturers Want II
Maintained In China.

A number OF Spartanourg mill men
have addressed an open letter, to Sen
ators Tillman and McLaurin and the
South Carolina representatives in the
house, asking them to insist upon a
government policy that will insure the
freest access of the products of southern
cotton manufacturers into the markets
of China. The manufacturers hold
that the Chinese market is by far
the most important of the world.
They view with alarm the establish
ment of spheres of influence by Rus
sia, Germany and other powers, and
ask the South Carolina representa-
tives to do all they can for the main.
tainance of the open door policy here
tofore guaranteed by treaties, etc.
Senator McLaurin was the first repre-
sentative to answer the letter and up
to this writing the only one. His
reply is as follows:
"BENNETTsvILLE, S. c., Oct. II.
"Messrs. J. B. Cleveland, ]. H. Mont
gomery and others, Spartanburg,
SC,
"DEAR SIRs: Your letter has been
received. 1 fully concur in everything
you say about the Importance of TIE
retention of the trade of the south
with China. The 'open door policy is
what we need and want. This has
hitherto been secured by treaty rights,
which have been respected by other
nations only to the extent to which it
conduced to their trade interest. While
ostensibly recognizing these treaty
rights other nations, in violation OF
them, have acquired territory and ex-
cluded therefrom our legitimate COM
merce. Russia has gradually absorb:
ed Manchuria and is building u railroad
across Siberia to command the trade
of China. Germany has been active
and is waiting in expectancy to obtain
the Philippines. Japan has given Rus
sia all the fruits of her victory of 1892.
France has been the willing tool OF
Russia, and England has been passive
in her fear to assail her.
"This was the status in the east
when the battle of Manila occurred.
This victory thwarted all the schemes
of Russia for the dismemberment OF
China, and rendered its absorption and
partition impossible. If you want the
'open door, the United States now
holds the key. The archipelago of the
Philippines lies along the coast of Asia
foy 800 miles and commands it. Manila
is the point in the east which is the
centre of ocean traffic. 1t is the only
point where foreign nations could have
obtained commercial stations without
struggle.
"In the vicissitude and good fortune
of war with Spain, and without any
intention of doing so, the United States
has acquired the possession of the
Philippines, which gives to her para
mount political and commercial ad'
vantages.
"My judgment is that the control oi
them, or at least of some portions, is
the only safeguard for our trade inter,
ests in the east. The abandonment OF
them means the dismemberment OF
China, its partition among the Euro
pean powers, and the inevitable loss
of our Chinese trade.
~ note you say in your letter, that
the question of our rights in China
does not include an attempt to bring
other nations under the influence OF
our flag; tbst this is not a question OF
empire, but simply a question of trade
etc.
"It seems to me that the question OF
trade is not alone involved. The com.
mercial and political aspects of the
great problem of the hour in this coun-
try are inseparable, and it is useless to
close our eyes to this fact. Would it
not be folly for us to sacrifice our com
mercial interests for purely political
considerations? The maintenance oil
our trade in the east does not necessa'
rily mean the forcible annexation OF
Philippines, or the denial of the right
of local self government, but when the
war is ended by treaty or otherwise
for congress to settle all questions in
a Just and constitutional way.
III do not favor the adoption by the
country of a colonial policy because OF
the vexed and threatening problems
growing out of it; but l do think that,
if possible, the United States should
maintain sufficient interests in the is
lands to command equal trade rights
with other nations in China. This
will prevent for a long time the dis.
memberment of this vast empire.
England and Japan favor the intregity
of the empire; but they alone connot
guarantee it against the other European
powers. With the weight of the in
influence of the United States thrown
against dismemberment, it would be
rendered impossible.
CAT present, Hong Kong, under
British influence, is the great distribut-
ing centre of the orient. Manila, un-
der American influence, will occupy a
better strategic and geographic posi-.
ton, and should become commercial
centre of that portion of the world.
Commercial supremacy is the goal OF
every civilized nation-it is only at.
tanned through commercial progress
and commercial expansion. In this
great battle among the nations, with.
out design of our own, while they were
haggling among themselves, Dewey
coils into Manila hau we find fnnt thnl1