The times., 1899-12-05
CnmmcrcinI ENnnnrinn.

the t0lumGS OF ne SUNDAY IIllcs- hutll-
can victories and the consequent acquisi
tion of territory as well as the more active
tendency to become a leading factor in fu-
Jure international trade. have helped to
broaden the horizon Of the nation. Com
merciaI expansion has become not only
our necessity, but our destiny, for there is
no evidence that the Republic has any in
tention of halting las march along the
highway Of progress.
In brief, the able argument for activity
as world power and for the adoption OF
measures to secure the American share OF
the trade of all nations emphasizes the
fact based upon statistics that the foreign
commerce of the nineteenth century has
been one-sided, more than three-fourths of
our exports having gone in one direction.
It is known that Americas commerce
with the peoples of the Orient and the
neighboring Republics Of South America
has been comparatively insignificant. This
has been largely, If not entirely, due to an
ineXplicable backwardness in developing
powerful American merchant marine and
to the natural obstacles in the way OF trade
with the Far East because of the delayed
project for an isthmian canal which would
open shorter routes TO Asiatic countries.
It is sagaeiously pointed out that there is
an unprecedented and universal develop
ment which is as certain to be followed by
an enormous demand for the comforts and
implements necessary to the growth and
spread of civilization; that there is every
indication of the approach of an era of
worldwide peace-which is not difficult to
believe when the influence Of the newborn
Anglo-SaNon dreibund is considered-and
that with a keen appreciation Of these
things, productive Of an activity to pre-
pare for taking advantage of them. Ameri-
cas- commercial future is one rich in pos
sibilitios. The conditions abroad. added to
IN energetic disposition at homo. afford
rare opportunity for the achievement OF
that commercial supremacy toward which
the United States has been invincibly
tending. It's realization is certain. provid-
ing that the situation is appreciated and
that no procrastinating influences become
paramount
Asia, the sister continent to the south
Africa, Australia, and hosts of the larger
islands and island groups of the world,
contain lnultiuudes of consumers, who.
through various hindrances, have not
been reached by distributors Of Americas
endless variety of natural and manufac-
tured products. OF, all these trade fields.
however none seems TO present a more
inviting aspect than that Of China, which
viii undoubtedly enjoy the open door, now
that the entente cordiaIe between the Teu-
tonic and English speaking powers is
known TO exist. The Chinese market alone
is n commercial El Dorado for the Ameri-
can merchant and manufacturer. 4 con-
seTvative estimate shows that were the
United States to secure from the people of
the Celestial Empire a per capita trade
equal 10 that Of Europe, American indus
tries would be enriched to the extent of
ever q thousand million dollars annually.
L IS conclusively shown, however, that
there are two great facilities absolutely
essential to the eousummation Of such
triumph for Americas foreign commerce
the establishment of a merchant marine
and the construction of the ship canal
across the American isthmus. There are
numerous and obvious disadvantages to
the Development Of American external com
meree when the carrying Of our products
is done almost exclusively in foreign bot
toms AS has been well said. it Is an ag-
gravadng aisurdity that American goods
should be transported TO the markets we
are seeking to develop, under foreign flags.
and in charge Of foreign carriers and for
eicn commercial rivals. Il is certainly an
anomalous condition Of affairs and the car
lier it is corrected the better It win be
for The home merchant and manufacturer.
There is little II any sentiment in trade,
and It is a strange oversight that has
SO long abandoned a splendid sea enter
prise, ndinerenuv surrendering the pro-
duets Of our fields and factories to the
tender merctes Of competitors who have
probably not been slow il approaching
The advantages given them.
But the neglect in the matter Of an
American merchant marine is not more
amazing than the monumental Ielhargy
which has so long permitted a strip Of the
Isthmus Of Panama TO stand like Chinese
wall between American commerce and
tesmiug millions of consumers. Thus have
many evils beer laid at the door Of an
alleged oyerproduction, when. as has been
apply shown, the root Of the i'll is undercon-
sumption, which must be attributed to a
commercial rcarsighteduess, that, however
discerning it may have been in the i'm
mediate field, failed to appreciate that
few lively strokes of enterprise would open
shorter routes to comparatively new mar
katz and establish better carrying service
more appropriate to American needs and
devoted to American Interests
The era when everything came 70 the
man that waited has gone by, if it ever
existed, and il Is the individual who is
alive to the opportunity who reaps the re
wards of The hour in channels Of Industrial
/ and commercial activity. The same may
be said Of the nation, since It is only
collection OF individuals Americas com
mercial opportunity was never more con-
/ spicuous. and perhaps the events which
have enlarged our horizon. compelling US TO
realize that the Republic is to participate
in affairs outside of its old geographical
boundaries, are TO be thanked for the timely
revelation. American energy, however. is
equal TO any occasion or emergency, and
Will certainly be capable OF overcoming the
disadvantages which have been permitted
20 cucumber he pathway 20 those rewards
awaiting the nation which can produce the
best goods and sell them 20 the foreign
/ customer at the lowest prices