New-York tribune., 1899-06-08
VALUE OF THE PHILIPPINES.
EX-MINIsTER BARRETT ON THEIR COM
MERCIAL AND STRATEGIC M
PORTANCE.

Chicago. June John Barrett. who was Minister
20 Siam under President Cleveland, and who has
travelled extensively In the East. was the guest
of honor at dinner at the Union League Club to-
night and by request spoke about the Philippines
and their Importance commercially and strategical-
ly TO the United States. Mr. Barrett said In part:
II were asked what was the great sigma, re-
suit Of the late war with Spain. would say II
was which had amply repaid all the dnileu1,,sS t
brought upon US by the assumption OF sovereignty
OF the Philippines II is simply this II mas suoGes ny
and %nexRssedy maSs sr US d he BEFORE we took the
Philippines-not from conquest. but from ioi mora
with Great Britain or even Japan We were t tnen
not a Power in the Far East We were n99tnnllns
Power From Bangkok TO Peking our Ministers
and our Consuls were everywhere hampered py OUT
spect felt for US by Oriental statesmen and by the
constant evidence that what America eao ItG IuuIu
or commerce. Formerly, as ! travelled up radr ana
down the coast visiting both political ana Se Iomes ns
ca'o0s ca 6sp5tas Of Our esmne was
When j made my last journey in December 70
mighty change that had been worked since Dewey
sailed into Manila and destroyed the Spanish meet
can trade everywhere the first consideration.
Whether discussing matters with NAIVE s.a.es les
the club. or in the street with common, evefyaay
tangible thought that had do with foreigners
70 be: What Is America going 10 doE Mhat WI. ha
De neT pollCy NHIcH way WIN ii''
thrown? -,
But this is not all There is the practical and
commercial side OF H. which appeals 10 US all
for commerce Is the Hfeblood OF nations. Whlle
formerly IL was most difficult to arouse interest IN
American products and TO get European or natVe
houses to handle American Imports. now all is
Changed and there is a grand movement all along
the line from Java to Japan In favor or American
interests. These same native and Foreign irms
want American connections, and wish 10 handie
American goods.
What a vista Of opportunities here opens before
us and vet largely dependent upon two great
points. First whether we shall meet. master ana
hold the situation in the Philippines. and. second
stand infeXiby for the maintenance OF our treaty
rights and freedom Of trade throughout all China.
Given this mighty Nation of ours In that incalcu-
nent sovereignty over the Philippines. and perpet,
uai enjoyment Of freedom OF trade In China. ana
you will have a nation whose power and inhuence
will be paramount not only in the Pacific but
throughout all the world
Holding and developing the Philippines is not
mere Imperialism. not mere expansion In the popu-
lar use OF those misleading terms. but taking egti-
mate advantage Of a splendid material opportunity
where unavoidable moral responsibility has COM
pelled us TO assume the sovereignty OF these rich
Antilles OF the Orient II call IL expansion or
imperialism, then these terms are syHonymes Tor
legitimate commercial extension, and commerce ls
the Ifeblood Of nations. provided Il has the moral
strength Of slnew and bone 70 absorb the nourish,
ment and ozone OF new blood. and not be poisoned
by those elements which invariably accompany
extraordinary efforts in untried fields. believe
that we have the power Of discrimination. the capa-
h!lity of taking what is best and leaving wnat is
worst I'm 80 guiding our policy that In this great
race OF nations for supremacy In the worlds com
petition shall be forever a strong first.