Omaha daily bee., 1899-10-25

''The maintenance of our trade in the east
does not necessarily mean the forcible an
nexation of the Philippines or the denial of
the right of local selfgovernment, but when
the war is ended, by treaty or otherwise, for
congress to settle all questions in just
and constitutional way.
81 do not favor the adoption by this coun-
try of colonial policy, because of the vexed
and threatening problems growing out Of 1t,
but do think that. IL possible, the United
States should maintain sufficient interests in
the island to command equal trade rights
with other nations in China, This will pre-
vent for long time the dismemberment of
this vast empire.
England and Japan favor the integrity
of the empire, but they alone cannot guaran-
tee it against the other European powers.
With the weight of the influence Of the
United States thrown against the dismem-
berment it would be rendered impossible.
''At present Hong Kong under British in
fuence, is the great distributing point of the
Orient. Manila, under American influence,
will occupy better strategic and geographic
position, and should become a commercial
center of that portion of the world
Commercial supremacy Is the goal of
every civilized nation. 1t is only attained
expansion. In this great battle among the
nations, without designs Of our own, while
they were haggling among themselves,
Dewey sails into Manila bay, and we find
foothold within two days journey of this
land of consumers, where half of the popula-
ton Of the world is congregated within an
area no larger than the United States.
'There is much political rot in the con-
stant parading Of the term imperialism
1t Is misnomer, intended to confuse and
deceive. 1t involves the idea of the incor-
poration into our body polite as American
citizens of millions of the semi -barbarous
| inhabitants of tropical country. l do not
believe such thing is intended. possible,
or desirable; nor is such result necessary
| to secure such commercial expansion as we
want
Il think the dictates of common sense will
| govern the American people, and the ghost
| imperialism, sprung for political effect, will
| not prevent them gathering the full fruits
Of the victory so easily won and treading
the path so plainly blazed out by an overrul-
! ing providence
ut will be observed, therefore, that the
| Philippine question involves both political
and commercial consequences. Upon it's set
| tlement, in my judgment depends the futurc
welfare Of our people in maintaining equality
| Of opportunity in the eastern markets. A
mere superficial view will not reveal it's
! transcendent importance.
| ITO the southern people it is fraught with
| momentous consequences. Cotton manufac-
| turing in the south has grown in few years
with phenomenal rapidlty. Millions OF dol
| lars are now invested in mills. The product
| of these have found remunerative markets
| in China and other countries in the east ouI
cotton goods being peculiarly adapted for
clothing the teeming millions of that warm
climate. Their trade is the hope of this
great manufacturing industry of the south
If 1t is cut off by other nations, not only the
manufacturer, but the producer of raw cotton
| will suffer
| "The present advance in spot cotton which
our planters are enjoying is largely due tc
the mills of the south. They have forced
the local markets above New York. With
active competition in local markets, Liver
pool and New York exchanges no longer
arbitrarily fix the price of raw cotton. Car
the southern people afford to sacrifice theil
commercial and industrial interests for mere
political sentiment"