The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-06-08
POWER In PACIFIC
TRADE POSSIBILITIES OF THE
PHILIPPINES UNDER DIREC-
TION OF AMERICA
HON. JOHN BlRRETTS IDEA
DOES NOT ADVOCATE EXPANSION,
BUT" URGES IMPORTANCE OF
ASIATIC TRADE
MANILA THE CENTER OF IT
Resources That May BE
Developed by American Enter
prise and Capital Described by
Ex-Minister Bnrrett-Responsib1
tiles Assumed That Cannot BE
Safely Abandoned.

Ex-Mtnister- Harrett-RespOnsibiI
tiles Assumed That Cannot Be
Safely Abandoned.
CHICAGO, June THE Hon. John Bar
rett, minister to Siam during the Cleve-
| land administration, and who has Travelled
| extensively in the East, was given a
complimentary dinner at the Union
League club tonight, and, by request,
| spoke about the Philippines and their
Importance, commercially and strategical-
| ly, to the United States. Mr. Barrett said
in part:
Il Il am deeply sensible of the great re-
sponslbll1ty resting upon me to tellsyou
| the truth as actually seen and learned
by me about the Philippine islands,, their
| possibilities, their people and their bear
| ing upon our commercial and political
standing in the Pacific and far East.
cannot overestimate the Importance
OF the subject before US. We are face to
| 1ace IN the Pacific and far East with a
| situation of immesurable possibilities Up
on our policy depends our position in that
i great ocean, where, by the hand of God,
| by destiny and by fortune it is intended
that we should be first, but where if we
fall to seize and develop opportunities
| ond, but come trailing along behind Great
Britain, Russia, 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 VIII destroy the unity of policy and
integrity of principle which alone can
While 1 am not an enthusiast or
deft weaver of false phantasies, I am,
from long association with the section
winch l am discussing, deeply impressed
| by the extent of our opportunities, the
gravity of the present responsibilities and
1ffeh 1he necessity of meeting the situation
| the absolute belief that the reward will
be sufficient to far outweight the cost.
al nave no sympathy with the concep-
ton that we are not equal to what is
peIore US. On the other hand I main
tain that; there is nothing so American
! bsi,if as meeting and mastering new RESPONSE
| the value and advantage of argument
| ana discussion. If / may be called an
| expansionist, am not SO radical that
l DO not respect the arguments of those
! who hold other views, and I have the
highest respect for many of the distin-
| gnlshed and good men in our country
are doubtless sincere and mean only well
Tor our country, but might l not add
tnat 11 II they are, In the opinion of some
doing any. harm, it is not. that they are
| creating discomfort influence at home. bllf
Iha1 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. Wher.
ever any antt-American sympathizers are
gain sadnered ss every word and every utter
ance OF those who oppose our poIicv in
! the philippines Is respected, emphasized
ana sent broadcast to encourage not only
those who are fighting us, but those who
| would secretly asst them. say this
with all frankness, because I could not
help seeing and noting 1t only too plainly
IN my recent trip home from Manila by
| way of Europe.
POWER IN THE PACIFIC.
If IF were asked what was the great
af f1oa I1A1
would say 1t was one which had amniv
| repaid all the difficulties brought upon MS
Dy the assumption of sovereignty of the
| philippines. 1t is simply this, it has s,Id
denly and unexpectedly made us the firs4
| power of the Pacific. Before the war
ana and before we took the Philippines, not
| b1llty-we could not contest that position
with either Great Britain or even japan.
we we were then not power in the far
| East. We were nothing more than what
| could be rightly termed a little power
From Bangkok to Pekin our ministers
ana our consels were everywhere ham
pered by our lack Of national influence.
by the little actual respect felt for ns
| py oriental statesmen, and by the con-
stant evidence that what America said.
could or would do but little or no figure
! In Asiatic politics or commence Former
ly, as l travelled up and down the coast.
vlslung both political and commercial
INDICATIONS OF our seeming insignificance
When l made my last Journey, In Decem-
per, to these same points, 1 was aston
lshed to note the mighty change that
had been worked since Dewey sailed in
to Manila. and destroyed the Spanish
fleet: fleet l found America, American in
the first consideration Whether discus
sing matters with native statesmen or
foreign diplomats, or. leading business
parties or in the club, or in the street
with common, everyday natives and
coolies, coolies, l found the one sensible, tan
eigners to be: What is America going to
do, what will be her policy; which way
| Will her influence be thrown?
| But this is not ALL There Is the nrac
teal and commercial side Of it which ap-
| pealS to us all-for commerce Is the life
blood Of nations. While formerly it was
| lean products, and to get European or
native houses to handle American i'm
ports; now all Is changed, and there is a
grand movement all along the line from
Java to Japan in favor of American in
terests These same native and foreign
fIs Wsb w wahe hsndaa american connections, and
| What vista of opportunities here
opens before us, and yet largely depend
ent upon two great points. First wheth-
er we shall meet: master and hold the
situation in the Philippines and, second
stand infiexibly for the maintenance of
fhlo,y our treaty rights m IT'S and freedom of trade
| nation of ours In that incalculable posi-
tion. Of strength resulting from perna-
HSIll sovereignty over the PhiliDDineS
and perpetual enjoyment of freedom Of
trade in China, and you will have e ma
ton whose power and influence will be
| paramount, not only in the Pacific, but
| throughout all the world
Manila occupies undeniably a strong
| place for both trade and strategic pur.
| poses, and under the progressive admin
| istration Of the United States she has a
| brilliant opportunity which cannot be hid
| den and may prove a worthy rival. not
/ only Of Singapore and Hong Kong huf
| also of Shanghai and Yokohama in the
| vast commercial exchanges of the far
| East.
| MANILA THE CENTER.
Manila is the most central city of tbe
| entire Asiatic Pacific coast, from Siberia
| to Australia, more 80 even than Hong
| Kong and Shanghai, because 1t is on the
| direct route to Australia, and nearer to
| the great range of Southern Australia
ports. This 1t not a mere advantaAe on
| the map, but an actual practical. favora-
| bic condition from the way tides and
routes rum as well as winds blow. and
Manila's unique strength of position Is
therefore, not only commercial but STRAIT
IF ever it could be said that God phvs-
| lcaIly fashions any part of this earth with
recklessly prodigal hand, 1t could be
| SAID without exaggsration Of the Philin
pine group. richer, isolated land pr
l RrOlJD of falo nd yisx.zA .e-.,N W