The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-06-08
The Philippines
by One Who Knows

by One Who Knows
Chicago, June Tin an address be-
fole the Union League club, delivered
tonight, ex-Minis.er John Barrett said
in part: II am deeply sensible of the
great responsibility resting upon me
to tell you the truth as actually seen
and learned by me about the Philip
pine islands, their possibilities, their
people and their bearing upon our
commercial and political stand in the
Pacific and far east. 1 cannot overes-
timate the Importance of the subject
before us. We are face to face in the
Pacific and far east with a situation of
immeasurable possibilities. Upon our
policy depends our position in that
great ocean. where by the hand of God,
by destiny and by fortune, 1t is in
tended that we should be first. but
where IL we fail to seize and develop
our opportunities, we may not only be-
come forever second, but come trail
ing along behind Great Britain, Rus
sia, Japan and Germany, and even
France. 1t is an issue of the hour
1t is now or never. If we weaken one
iota, we give an entrance for the wedge
that will destroy the unity of policy
and integrity of principle which alone
can bring us success.
o
while lam not an enthusiast or a
deft weaver of false phantasies, l am,
from long association with the section
which I am discussing, deeply imITess-
ed by the extent of our opportunities,
the gravity of our present responsible
ties and the necessity of meeting the
situation with courage. hope and per-
sisency, with the absolute belief that
the reward will be sufficient to out
weigh the cost. / have no sympathy
with the conception that we are not
equal to what is before us. On the
other hand, 1 maintain that there is
nothing so American as meeting and
mastering new responsibilities. AT
the same time 1 recognize the value
and advantages of argument and dis
cussion. If / may be called an ex-
pansionist, l am not 50 radical that
l do not respect the arguments of
those who hold other views, and l have
the highest respect for many of the
| distinguished and good men in our
country who hold that our policy is
wrong. They are doubtless sincere
and mean only we'll for our country,
| but might I not add that If they are,
| in the opinion Of some, doing any
| harm, it is not that they are creating
| a discordant influence at home, but
that they are, and possibly without
their intention, giving comfort and aid
| to our enemies? In the Philippines
and in Hong Kong, and, moreover, in
| Europe, wherever any anti-American
sympathizers are gathered, every
! word and every utterance of those who
oppose our policy in the Philippines
| is repeated emphasized and sent
broadcast to encourage not only those
who are fighting us, but those who
would secretly assist them. 1 say this
with all frankness because 1 could not
help seeing and noting it only too
plainly in my recent trip home from
Manila by way of Europe.
| o
"If were asked what was the great
signal result Of the late war with
Spain, l would say it was one which
had amply repaid all the difficulties
| brought upon us by the assumption OF
sovereignty of the Philippines. 1t is
simply this, it has suddenly and unex-
pectedly made us the first power OF
the Pacific. Before the war and be-
fore we took the Philippines-not from
conquest, but from moral responsibility
| we could not contest that position
with either Great Britain or ever
Japan. We were then not a power in
the far east. We were nothing more
than what could be rightly termed 6
little power. From Bangkok tC
Pekn our ministers and our consuls
were everywhere hampered by our lacl
of national influence, by the little ac
tual respect felt for us by Orienta
: statesmen and by the constant evi
dence that what America said, could
or would do, cut little or no figure
in Asiatic politics or commerce. Form
J erly, as / travelled up and down tn,
: coast, visiting both political and com
, mercial capitals, / was always de
pressed by the indications of our seem
ing insigniflcance. When 1 made m.
, last journey in December to thes
same points, 1 was astonished to not
the mighty change that had beel
worked since Dewey sailed into Ma
! nila and destroyed the Spanish fleet
1 found America, American influenc
/ and American trade everywhere tn
$ first consideration. Whether discuss
ing matters with native statesmen o
foreign diplomats, or leading busines
men, or devoted missionaries, at din
5 ner parties or in the club. or in tn
: street with common, everyday ma
: tives and coolies, 1 found the one sen
I sible, tangible thought that had to d
q with foreigners to be: What is Amer
, lea going to do, what will be her policy
:, which way will her influence b
thrown?
= "But this is not all. There is tn
practical and commercial side Of 4
which appeals to us all-for commerc
is the life-blood of nations. Will
c formerly it was most difficult to arous
e interest in American products and
:, get European or native houses to har
e die American imports, now all
O changed, and there is a grand move
ment all along the line from Java
japan in favor of American interest
These same native and foreign firm
n want American connections, and wis
t to handle American goods. What
: vista of opportunities here opens befol
= us, and yet largely dependent upo
two great points: First, whether "
shall meet, master and hold the situi
ton in the Philippines; and secon
y stand infieXibly for the maintenan'
y of our treaty rights and freedom
r trade throughout all China. Give
l. this mighty nation of ours in that il
calculable position OF strength resul
ing from permanent sovereignty ov