The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-06-08
ITS A RICH POSSESSION
Commercial and Strategic Value
of the Philippines.
HAS IMMENSE RESOURCES
Address of Hon. j. A. Barrett at the
Union League Club in Chicago
Americas Place Among the
Great Powers,

Chicago, June THE Hon. j. A. Bar.
rett, minister to Siam during the
| Cleveland administration, and who has
Travelled extensively in the East, was
! given complimentary dinner at the
Union League club tonight, and by re-
quest quest spoke about the Philippines and
tlieir Importance, commercially and
strategically to the United States.
Mr.. Barrett. said in part:
Il am deeply sensible of the great
responsibility resting upon me to tell
you the truth as actually seen and
learned by me about the Philippine ISL
ands, their possibilities, their people
and their bearing upon our CONNER
cial and political standing in the Pa
ciflc and far East. We are face to face
in the Pacific and far East with a sit
uation of Unreasonable possibilities,
Upon our policy depends our position
in that great ocean, whereby the hand
of God, by destiny and by fortune it is
intended that we should be first, but
where, if we fail to seize and develop
our opportunity we may not only be-
come forever second, but come trailing
along behind Great Britain, Russia.
Japan and Germany, and even Frc1 ce.
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 de-
stroy the unity of policy and integrity
of principle which alone can bring us
success.
IF l may be called an expansionist,
I am not so radical that l do not re-
spect the arguments of those who hold
other views and / have the highest re-
spect for many of the distinguished
and good men in our country who hold
that our policy is wrong. They are,
doubtless, sincere and mean we'll for
our country but might I not add that
If they are, in the opinion Of some, do
ing any harm it is not that they are
creating 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 Eu-
rope, wherever any nti-American SYM
pathizers are gathered, every word and
every utterance of those who oppose
our policy in the Philippines is repeat
ed, emphasized and sent broadcast to
encourage not only those who are fight
ing us, but those who would secretly
assist them. l say this with all frank
ness, because I could not help seeing
and noting it only too plainly in my
recent trip home from Manila by way
of Europe.
IF l We're asked what was the great
signal result of the late war with Spain
| would say it has suddenly and uneX-
pectedly made us the first power of the
Pacific. Formerly. as Travelled up and
down the coast visiting both political
and commercial capitals, I was always
depressed by the indications of our
seeming insignificance. When I made
my last journey in December to these
same points, l was astonished to note
the mighty change that had been
worked since Dewey sailed into Manila
andS destroyed the Spanish fleet 1
found America, American influence and
American trade everywhere the first
consideration. Whether discussing mat
tiers with native statesmen or foreign
diplomatists or leading business men or
devoted missionaries at dinner parties,
or in the club or in the street with
common everyday natives and coolies,
l found the one sensible, tangent
thought that had to do with foreigners
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
practical and commercial side of it
which appeals to US all-for commerce
is the life-blood of nations While for
merly it was most difficult to arouse
interest in American products and to
get European or native houses to ham
changed and there is a grand move
ment all along the line from Java to
Japan in favor of American interests
These same native and foreign firms
want American connections and wish
to handle American goods.
What a vista of opportunities here
open before us and yet largely depend
ent upon two great points-first, wheth-
err we shall meet, master and hold the
situation in the Philippines, and second,
stand inflexibly for the maintenance of
our treaty rights and freedom of trade
throughout all China.
"Given this mighty nation of ours in
that incalculable position of strength
resulting from permanent sovereignty
over the Philippines and perpetual en-
joyment of freedom of trade in China,
and you will have nation whose
power and influence will be paramount
not only in the Pacific, but throughout
the whole 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 d
brilliant opportunity which cannot be
hidden and may yet prove a worthy
rival, not only of Singapore and Hong
Kong, but also of Shanghai and Yoko-
hama in the vast commercial exchanges
Of the far East.
Manila is the most central city of
the entire Asiatic Pacific coast from ST.
IBERIA to Australia, more so even than
Hong Kong and Shanghai, because it
is on the direct route to Australia and
nearer to the great range of southern
Australia ports. This is not a mere ad-
vantage on the map, but an actual,
practical, favorable condition from the
way tides and routes run, as we'll as