The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1899-08-08

ern third OF the United States and IN
the markets Of the Orient when the time
and expenses Of transportation have been
reduced by an isthmian waterway. 4
trade Of some importance. though not
large, can be established in western South
America.
Our Southern States are now produe-
Ing much more cotton than the mills Of
Europe and our own country can use. az
are anxious 10 increase their sales bcth
OF the raw staple and Of cotton mauufac-
lures in the Pacific countries. Besides
developing the cotton textile industry the
south Is opening Up her rich coal and
iron mines and manufacturing iron and
steel and these Industries must also look
10 the West for their chief markets
The States north Of the Ohio and Mis-
souri Rivers include our richest agricul-
tur2l resources, our most productive iron
mines, our chief stores OF bituminOus
coal. and also have forests OF large ex-
tent The industries OF these States.
though still mainly eNtractiye, are TO a
large and rapidly growing extent COM
posed Of manufactures. Their mills and
factories turn out large quantities OF iron
and steel machinery. ships, furniture,
wooden wares, and -four. That these
States In the central part Of our large
country are enjoying such a phenomenal
Industrial development is due mainly TO
the transportation facilities which have
been provided by the railroad trunk lines
10 the Atlantic ard the Gulf. the Missis-
sippi and Ohio Rivers. the Great Lakes.
and the Erie Canal Whatever cheapens
transportation accomplishes surprising
economic results in this section of our
country The canal across the American
isthmus will give the central West a
chance to increase its traffic with the
trans-COrdilIeran States and with the for
eign countries that border the Pacific.
What the 1rcat Lakes and the Erie Ca
nal have done for the eastern trade of
these States, the interoceanic canal will
do for its western trade
Few forest products of high value can
bear the costs of transportation by rail
over the mountains to the eastern States.
The people OF the Pacific States are eager
TO increase their trade with Europe and
the eastern half of the United States, and
are clamoring for an isthmian canal. The
waterway will do for the eastern trade
OF the Pacific section what it will do for
the western trade Of the eastern, south
ern, and central States.
From which it would seem that Prof
Johnson is looking toward the future,
while Mr.. NimmO argues principally from
the past. Nevertheless. Prof Johnson is
and emphasizes several
things that the canal will not do.
What Ii VIII Not DO.
Says he:
In considering the general commercial
and industrial changes which an inter-
oceanic canal viii effect, attention may
y ell be directed to three things which the
viii not accomplish:
First. II is possible that the traffic
through the canal will not grow more
rapidly tina. did the commerce through
the Suez route. British India, the East
Indies, and other countries with which
GICat Britain and the continental ma
tons trade by way of the SUez Canal ha1,
when the Suez route was opened. more
industries and larger and
longer established commerce than have
many of the Pacific countries whose COM
nerce is 10 cross the American isthmus. |
In the case of the Suez Canal it was
largely question of increasing an exist |
ng trade. The American isthmian canal |
traffic Will consist mainly of a newly Gre |
tted trade and only TO "a small extent of |
an existing traffic diverted from present |
routes. The American canal, however. |
Mil have the advantage OF connecting |
ne two coasts of the United States, and |
he commerce between these sections will |
increase rapidly
In the second place, it must not be /
expected that the canal will give US con- |
rol OF the Pacific trade unless We ac-
the construction of the canal |
'lth the establishment OF other agencies
nat give our European competitors great
r trade advantages than We now possess.
There must De international banking IA
llities provided; We must have cable con-
lectons with the South American and |
'acific countries, and, most important of
IL, We must bring about the establish
nent OF more lines Of vessels plying reg
laTly between American and foreign
orts. These auXiliaries of commerce. as
veal as the canal, are essential to COM
lerCial expansion.
Thirdly The canal is not going to be
oetrlnent TO the transcontinental rail-
o&ds. Some people suppose that il will
ut the history of the competition of
'aterways ana railroads does not war
ant such a conclusion. The RAILWAYS 10
ne Pacific will find that their traffic will
2cTease more than pari passu with the
TCWth of the business done through the
anal"
In conclusion, Prof Johnson says: 1.-THE
Glicy Of territorial expansion, which We
ave apparently decided to adopt, is
raUght with many duties, and not a few
ansers. Some public leaders are ep-
csed TO the acquisition OF colonies. but
o one is opposed TO the acquisition of
'Sde and the expansion of our commerce.
he necessity for promoting our foreign
rsde is recognized by all parties and all
-ctiGns, and Cur attention is being d.
=cted more and more TO securing our
iir share of the prCspectively large trade
the countries of the Pacific In order
} compete successfully with Europe in
le Pacific ws need the canal across the
meTican istamus." Which would seem
be an axiom, or seif-evident fact, NOR,
0tont than all the statistics of the past
lat can be mustered on the subject.