The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-05-01

There Is one aspect of the new situation
pines which has attracted little attention
as yet. but which may have an important
influence in the future shaping of events.
Reference is had TO its possible effect in
substituting commercial for war policies and
thereby contributing TO the peace of the
world. II is evident that the world is en-
tering upon an era of commercial rivalry.
position to war. as evidenced by peace or
ganizations. international arbitration So
cieties. disarmament conferences, ETC., but
In the acts and policies of nations The
beginning of the nineteenth century found
the world In a turmoil of war, while the
end OF Ii is likely to see almost universal
peace. In 1890 the nations we're all glaring
at each other: in 1900 they will all be smiI-
Ing at each other. An occurrence that
would have been unavoidable cause of war
at the beginning of the present century
will be easily adjusted at the beginning of
the next century. The war spirit is giving
way to the spirit of trade. the desire for
military supremacy to the desire for COM
mercial supremacy. A hundred years ago
slight cause would bring on great war;
now it takes great cause to bring on a
slight war.
An interesting proof of this tendency is
the announcement just made regarding the
new policy of England and Russia in China
For some years past they have been glar-
ing at each other in China like a lion and
a bear separated by a line, each getting
concessions and making protests and threats
that seemed to render a clash inevitable
Now 1t Is announced that they "have signed
a self-denying agreement regarding China
which is intended to put an end to the con-
tention over railway and other concessions
in that country" BY this "self-denying
agreement each country agrees to cophne
its operations to a certain territory or por-
ton of China and to refrain from Interior
ing with the other. THE agreement" says
Russian struggle in China and is equivalent
TO settlement of the spheres of influence
of the two countries This is a triumph
of the commercial spirit over the war spirit
In fact. the agreement is attributed, as far
as Russia is concerned. to the strong repre-
sensations of NJ. Dewitte, Russian minister
of finance. regarding the Importance of de-
veloping peaceful industries in Russia and
of cultivating closer trade and business rela-
tions with England. The Chinese settle
ment," says the dispatch, lis one of the
first fruits of NJ. Dewitte's policy, and will
undoubtedly have an important bearing on
the future relations of the two countries"
A hundred years ago such thing as
''self-denying agreement" between two pow
erful nations looking to the subordination
Of the military spirit to the commercial
would not have been dreamed of.
In the great contest for commercial SUI
premacy upon which the world is about
to enter the United States will play an
important part. This country would have
done 50 in any case, but its acquisition of
the Philippines makes it doubly certain
By acquiring these islands the United States
becomes recognized at once as world pow
er in commerce and as holding the key to
Oriental trade in the Pacific. Our coming
into this position as a world power has al
ready affected and will probably change the
whole course of European politics. Until
now America has been wholly unconsidered
in European arrangements, a negotiable
quantity. Now the United States has
stepped into the arena and proved it's abil-
ity to cope with the most powerful. 1t looks
as If our entry into the Philippines may
have prevented the ACKNOWLEDGMENT of China
and preserved the peace of the world.
Within the last year every foreign Office
in Europe has been obliged to pause and re-
cast the situation. The United States is
known as pre-eminently commercial ma
ton, powerful in war but still more power
ful In trade. and its entrance into world
politics makes for peace. 1t means that
as far as one great power Is concerned
and that the power that controls the
Philippines. the methods of peace and of
commerce will be substituted for those of
war. 1t means. further, that the influence
of this new world power will be thrown as
far as 1t can be legitimately against terri
torial aggression by strong powers against
weak ones and against the ACKNOWLEDGMENT
of empires by force. In short, IL means
new and potent factor for peace in the
Orient and in Europe.