The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-06-09
To Make the United States the Leading
Power in the Far East.
STRATEGIC AND COMMERCIAL
Islands Pointed John Barrett
Upon the Policy Depends Posion-The
Change i'm OF iowa he
Tread Marked-The Immense Field
Investment and Development in he


Chicago. June Hon. john Barrett,
minister to Siam during the Cleveland
administration and who has Travelled
extensively in the east, was given d
complimentary dinner at the Union
League Club tonight, and by request,
spoke about the Philippines and their
Importance, commercially and strate-
gically, to the United States. He said
in part:
II cannot overestimate the import
.ance Of the subject before us. We are
face to face in the Pacific and far
east with situation of immeasurable
possibilities. Upon our policy depends
our position in that great ocean, where
by 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 opportunities.
we may not only become forever sec
ond, but come trailing along behind
Great Britain, Russia, Japan and Ger
many, and even France. 1t is an issue
of the hour. 1t is now or never. If
we weaken one iOta, we give an en-
trance for the wedge that will destroy
the unity of policy and integrity Of
principle which alone can bring US sue
cess.
While | am not an enthusiast or a
deft weaver of false phantasieS, l am,
from long association with the section
which / am discussing, deeply impress
ed by the extent Of our opportunities,
the gravity of our present responsible
ties and the necessity Of meeting the
situation with courage, hope and per-
sistency, with the absolute belief that
the reward will be sufficient to Tar
outweigh the cost.
IF / were asked what was the great
signal result of the late war with
Spain, I would say it was one which
had amply repaid all the difficulties
brought upon us by the assumption of
sovereignty of the Philippines. 1t is
simply this: 1t has suddenly and un-
expectedly made us the first power Of
the Pacific. Before the war and before
we took the PhilippineS-nOt from con-
quest, but from moral responsib bility-
we could not contest that position with
either Great Britain or even Japan. We
were then not a power in the far east.
We were nothing more than what could
be rightly termed a little power.
From Bangkok to Pekin our ministers
and our conSulS were everywhere ham,
pered by our lack Of national influence,
by the little actual respect felt for us
Oy oriental statesmen anu Dy TIE Gull
Stant evidence that what America said,
could or would do, cut but little or no
figure in Asiatic politics or commerce.
Formerly, as l Travelled up and down
the coast, visiting both political and
commercial capitals, l was always de-
pressed by the indications of our SEEM
ing insignificance. When l made my
last Journey in December to these same
points / was astonished to note the
mighty change that had been worked
since Dewey sailed into Manila and de-
stroyed the Spanish fleet. l found
America, American influence and Amer
lean trade everywhere the first con-
sideration. Whether discussing matters
with native statesmen or foreign diplo-
mats, or leading business men, or de-
voted missionaries, at dinner parties or
in the club, or in the street with COM
mon everyday natives and coolies, l
found the one sensible tangible thought
that had to do with foreigners to be
what is America going to do, what will
be her politely, which way will her in
f1uence 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's blood of nations. While
formerly it was most difficult to arouse
interest in American products and to
get European or native houses to han
die American imports, now all is chang
ed, and there is a grand movement 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 han
die American goods.
FUTURE OF MANILA.
Manila occupies undeniably a strong
place for both trade and stragetic pur-
poses. and under the progressive ad-
ministration of the United States she
has brilliant opportunity which can
not be hidden and may yet prove a
worthy rival, not only of Singapore
and Hong Kong, but also of Shanghai
and Yokohoma, 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 mere
advantage on the map, but an actual
practical, favorable condition from the
way tides and routes run, as Well as
winds blow; and Manila's unique
strength of position is therefore moi
only commercial, but strategical.
IF ever 1T could be said that GOD
physically fashions any part of this
earth with recklessly prodigal hand
it could be said without exaggeratior
of the Philippine group. richer iso.
lated land or group of islands, viewed
comparatively as to area and popula-
ton, variety of agricultural. mineral
and forest resources, undeveloped as
well as those already improved, cannot
be found on this globe. In comparison
with the opportunities afforded by 9th.
ed Asiatic countries, the Philippines
provide more than their natural share
of opportunities for the investment ol
capital for the development of various