The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-06-11
A FAIR LAND.
Many Opportunities for Investments
In the Philippines

Many Opportunities for Investments
In the Philippines.
CHICAGO, June Hon. John Barrett.
Minister to Siam during the Cleveland
administration and who has Travelled
extensively in The East, was given COM
plImentary dinner at the Union League
Club tonight. and by request spoke about
the Philippines and their Importance
commercially and strategically, 10 the
United States
In the course OF his speech Mr. Barrett
said:
Il cannot overestimate fhe Importance
Of the subject before us. We are face 70
face IN the Pacific and far East with
situation OF immeasurabie possibilities.
Upon our policy depends our position IN
tina tgreat ocean where by the hand ~
God. by destiny and by fortune il Is iu-
tended that we should be first. bul where
If we fan 10 seize ana develop our OPP
portunities, we may not only become
forever second but come trailing along
behind Great Britaiu. Russia. japan and
Germany. and even France. It is am
ISSUE OF the hour. IL is now or never
IL W0 weaken one iota We give am en-
trance for tho wedge that VIII destroy the
unity OF policy and integrity of principle
which alone can bring us success
III ever il could be said that God
physically fashions amy part o. this earth
with recklessy proiigal hand. 30 could
bo said without eXagseFaton of the Philip
pine group a richer Isolated land or
group of islands. viewed comparatively
as to area and population. variety of ag-
ricuturll. mineral ana forest resources.
uudevel0ped as well as those already inn
proved. cannot Boz found on this globe.
I'm comparison with the opportunities af-
forded by other AsaitIc countries. the
Philippines provide more than their nat
urai share Of opportunities for the IN
vestment of capital for the development
0t various enterprises. Not one ace
kn0wledged authority on the Islands has
yet como forward with a less cheerful
view OF the situation than ] have depict
cd. Moreover. many a doubling Thomas.
who has held the siX-pence of climatic
considerations and danger Of THE white
mans burden so near this eye that he
could not see beyond. later. on personal
investigation OF the field. not confined 20
Manila but the great country back Of IL
IN Luz0n and the other islands-has
frankly Acknowledged his error and
that here IS one OF the greatest unde-
veloped fields OF investments that remain
outside the borders of tho United States.
"The climate is not such as % inter-
fere with the Investment Of capital and
with providing am extensive market for
American products. which in turn VIII
benefit far more people I'm the United
States than any number which might
seek the Philippines as a place Of resi-
dence. At the same time there is no
great danger for Americans or foreigners
residing in the tropics who take care or
themselves
"The United States have assumed a
mighty and unavoidable responsibility
not only 10 themselves and the natives
but 10 the world. in occupying the Philip
pine Islands. They could not return them
10 their former sovereignty, sell them 20
another power or yield them 10 native
rule without Sinking such responsibility
and taking a backward step from when
the nation would never recover