The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-04-27

will. Freight ships will be, e,increased in
carrying capacity and rates still fur
ther reduced.
"All the necessary facilities for deep
draught ships must be provided for IL
was just a look into this future which
compelled me 10 insist. even 10 the point
OF obstinacy. that 81, ,O0o. 900 should be ex-
pended in New York harbor. and that
our snips should ma tnere channei
1000 feet wide. with "a depth OF 40 feet,
and ample dockage room. 1 trust, too,
that the time Ia not far distant when We
shall have a deep waterway from the
Great Lakes TO the Atlantic ocean, still
further increasing our facilities and de-
creasing our rates.
Another thing. in my judgment, Is
imperativsly required. We should carry
In our own ships. under our own flag all
OF our imports and exports. We should
pay 10 our own people the $500, 900 day
we now pay 10 foreigners. We should
make Of the officers OF those ships active.
intelligent and interested agents for the
discovery OF new markets. and the pro-
motion OF our trade. Suppose TO accom-
plish this Il does cost US sS000,0 600 or sl0,-
600 900 annually. viii not there be ample
compensation? Great Britain Germany
and France will not surrender this carry
ing trade without a determined conflict,
Which alone viii reduce freight rates al
least 25 percent.
Consider for a moment another, and,
in my opinion, most important aid TO
our foreign commerce. Where is the
most promising field for IL in the near
future? Surely in the orient. Hum
boldt. more than 30 years ago, declared
that the commerce OF the Pacific would
In time exceed that OF the Atlantic; and
what intelligent man today doubts the
realization in the near future OF what
then seemed "a dream? Do not England,
France. Germany, Russia and Italy. by
their conduct, recognize that the
prophecy is to be fulfilled? How shall
We secure our share Of this commerce?
While all the nations OF Europe are
our commercial foes; while Just now
they fear us more than ever before and,
as China witnesses. are lining up 10 stop
our advance. we have abundant cause
for courage and hope. The unexpected
has happened, increasing our confidence
in the future tenfold. Humanity and
a decent self-respect forced us TO n
declaration Of war against Spain. The
conflict was short sharp and decisive.
In a few months that proud kingdom be-
came a suppliant for peace. Cuba is
commercially ours; for. while we re-
fused to accept sovereignty there. and
intend TO yield all claim 10 authority
whenever n stable government is formed,
that government will owe its life to
US: its people cannot fail TO remember
that their freedom from oppression.
from exacting and burdensome taxa
ton. from hunger and starvation, is a
gift from us. Gratitude and contiguity
will surely give US the trade. When
peace abides there and good govern
ment assures protection To life and prop
srty, commerce will enormously increase
Porto Rico is ours. and its trade will be.
But more promising than the ac.
quirement OF many such islands is the
acquisition by US Of the Philippine ar.
chipelago. undoubtedly the most fertile
and productive unexplored land under
the sun. In 1897. with rebellion rife.
according to United States Commissioner
Harden the exports were sil .342, ,00O the
imports, sl7,3i5.00O balance in favor
s23.999, 600. Give the islands a good gov
eminent. protection TO life and prop
erty. an advancing civilization. increas-
ing intelligence, fair wages, honest col
lecting OF revenues, railroads and high
way. improved agricultural implements,
cable communication with our country
and telegraph lines between them; and
who doubts that commerce WIN. in
few years. be quadrupled? The bulk
of IL will be ours. even with the open
door. for we shall have the advantage
of England. Germany and France in
distance and freight rates. The islands
are marvelously rich and productive;
not more than one-quarter of the till
able land under cultivation. The for
ests. Of best mercantile woods, are
boundless.
"But the value 10 us OF the domestic
trade OF these possessions Is Insignificant
compared 10 that regarded from COM
mercial-stratsgic point of view. They
front the entire China sea, are only two
days sail from Hong Kong; they in
troduce us to the Orient. with its 100,-
000. 900 or 500 600 600 of people. with i'm
ports now exceeding $500. 600 0c0 an
nually. which advancing civilization will
double I'm few years. They give us.
for the frst time. a tremendous moral
yorce. n most potent voice for the prescr-
walton OF the open door i'm china. Who
can estimate the value in the future OF
such a commanding position 10 our for
eign commerce?
Are we TO fold our hands and allow
this harvest to be gathered by our
rivals? We have treated with China.
guaranteeing to us commercial rights
and privileges equal TO those Of the most
favored natiors. Are We To sit silently