The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-06-02
A BILLION DOLLAR PRIZE !.
American interests in the Far
East.
AMERICA is THE ARBlTER
We Hold the Key to CLina's Future.
Minister Barrett Says We Should
Not Shirk Our Splendid
Opportunities.

New York. June 1.-The regular
monthly meeting of the chamber of
commerce was held this afternoon and
the feature was the address of John
Barrett, late minister to Siam, on
American Interests in the Far East
Mr.. Barrett said, in part:
IF the Philippines, with their popu
lation Of 100000 and area of $4,000
square acres, are an inviting field,
China, with her population of S50,000O0O
and area Of over 100000 square miles,
is far more so. While we wish to gain
Philippines, which now amounts to
$32, 900, 900 a year, and should reach, I'M
der American control, $100, 100000 we
must have great ambitions to secure
the major part of China's commerce,
which is now $3.50. ZOO, 900 gold and should
soon increase, with open door and
freedom Of trade, ITO $3.50, 100000.
add to this sum the trade of China
proper which is separate from Hong
Kong and that of the other Asiatic
countries and we have an actual total
Of nearly $1,000 900, 10000. Are not these
figures which should make us think
ity? Shall we, in the face of them, re-
treat and leave the prize to others, or
shall we advance and win our reason
able share?
America is to-day the arbiter of
China's future. The Pacific coast has
vast interests at stake in the develop
ment of commerce and trade in the
veIopment depends largely the future
prospects of California, Oregon and
Washington, three powerful giants of
statehood, whose wonderful growth
and splendid possibilities must appeal
to you all. These states ask the East
not to be sectional in this question of
meeting our responsibilities in the Pa
cific. They beg that New England and
New York will recognize that, Bos-
ton and New York city have built an
enormous trade on the Atlantic. San
Francisco, Portland and Puget sound
cities wish to rival them on the Pa
cific. San Francisco would say to Bos-
ton in the latter's agitation of anti
expansion ideas: Remember, you are
working directly against the interests
of the Pacific coast by such agita-
ton
ITO you business men of New YORK
I say that the business men of the
Pacific slope are looking for your
hearty support in the development Of
commerce and trade in the Pacific and
in the holding Of the possessions we
have legitimately gotten hold of, be-
lieving that you appreciate that the
prosperity of the entire country is to
be considered when framing your pol
icy, and not that of the East alone.
You of the East, you of New York,
+ Boston. Baltimore, Philadelphia and
New Orleans, will have Cuba and Por-
I to Rico all to yourselves; we OF san
Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego,
| Portland, Tacoma and Seattle contend
| that you should at least approve or
| our having some interests and oppor-
tunities in the Philippines and in
| China for we recognize that all may
be lost If you do not join us in our eff
| forts to advance and protect our inter-
ests in the Pacific.
Briefly summarized our policy In
| China should be directed first to the
| preservation of the integrity of the en-
pire with no further alienation of ter
ritory; second, freedom of trade
throughout all China, commonly called
the open door, as outlined in the old
treaties; or, third, in the unavoidable
delimitations of spheres of influence,
such delimitation as will not close the
growing markets to the products Of the
United States, either by differentia
rates.
I'VE should stand for the integrity
of China, because We have much tt
lose and nothing to gain by it's break
ing UP.
IF we retain the Philippines WI
shall be strong in the South, but We
must have, under the conditions O.
China divided, a port in the North, j.
we would properly maintain our posi-
ton in the Pacific and far East"