Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-10-26
PHILIPPINES DISCUSSED By COM
MERCIAL CONGRESS.
GRAIN WOOD AND MINERALS
RAILROAD Runs THROUGH GREAT
MAHOGANY FOREST.
Rails Are Laid on Mahogany Ties
British Delegate Gives Many In
fercsting Facts Concerning
the Philippines
and Manila

PHILADELPHIA. Oct 25.-To-day's SEES
sion Of the international Commercial con-
gress at the National Export exposition
was officially designated as Expansion
day" and number OF speakers addressed
the delegates on that question II re-
lated 20 the development Of the commerce
Of all countries of the world. Congress-
man Robert Adams Jr., OF this city,
former United States minister TO Brazil.
presided. In presenting the scope of the
deliberations. Mr.. Adams referred TO the
weakness OF the consular service of this
country. laying the blame upon the sys-
TEN and not The administration.
John A. Kasson. OF Iowa, special COM
missioner plenipotentiary for treaties Of
reciprocity OF the United States. then
spoke on the subject of Commercial and
Territorial Expansion"
Mr.. Kasson reviewed briefly the acquisi-
ton OF territory by the United States
from Louisiana, to the Hawaiian Islands
and the conquest of Porto Rico. Refer
ring TO the Philippine acquisition he de-
clared II promised greater immediate ad-
vantage than any other. He said: I'VE
already know something of the enormous
capacity of the Philippines for agricul-
tural production of tropical wealth. OF its
mineral wealth we know less; but the in
oications are of the highest significance
not only Of the baser metals, but also of
the most valuab BILE"
Mr. kasson concluded with a defense of
the right of thIs country in maintaining
control of the Philippines
The achievements OF American railroads
and their relation to commercial, in
dustrial and agricultural interests were
Set forth in an address by George H.
Daniels. general passenger agent of the
Nesu owl
road and president of the American As
ISOLATION of Passenger Agents. The pres
ent period. he declared. is the age of
transportation and the dying nations are
those with little or no transportation IA
cilities.
Mr.. Daniels traced the beneficial results
10 commerce OF the war between China and
Japan. and detailed the great progress that
has been made by American built locomo-
fiyes and general railway paraphernalia
In Russia and the Orient. A comparison
was made between railroads and canals.
stress being laid the rapid transporta-
ton facilities provided by the former
Tribute was paid to the energy of Ameri-
can railroad managers and a synopsis
made of what the extension of railroads
has accomplished In the development of
the United States.
terested in knowing that the Manila and
Dagupan railroad. on the island of Luzon.
which is the principal one of our Philip
pine group. is laid upon mahogany ties,
the road passing through forests of thai
valuable wood. and IN eXhaustible beds of
coal and other rich minerals Shall we
wonder then that American railroads are
seeking connections that will secure a
portion of the commerce that must come
from the development of this rich region,
which has so recently been added TO the
territory of the United States"
A brief address on trade conditions in
Brazil was delivered by Colonel Charles
Page Bryan, United States minister TO
Brazil. He said In part:
Representation by capable Americans of
our business houses cannot be too highly
urged in extending business in Brazil.
These men must speak French and Port
uguese as well as English. Specializing
on the exchange should be strictly Tor
hidden. American banks and American
steamship lines should be introduced at an
early date
Eugene Seeger, United States consul TO
Brazil. referred TO the great railroad en-
terprise which had been inaugurat=d and
those which are to be established connect
ing the great Southern countries of South
America with Brazil and its natural com
mercial ways to the trade centers of the
world
William Grant Clark, of Queenstown,
spoke briefly on THE Philippine Islands. =
His references TO the islands were princi-
pally of a descriptive character. He said.
in part:
From Mundane, in the south of Luz
ION, your new territory covers about 1000
miles. There are many other important
islands. although of less extent The
population OF Manila Is about 100000. OF
these about 10000 are pure bred or half
cast Filipinos, 5000 are Chinese and the
remainder is made up of the army OF &C.
cupation and the few Europeans there.
As coaling station. Manila is an i'm
portant place. AS a commercial acquisi-
ton, the islands are invaluable. So far as
IL WIS my fortunes to see, the country is
rich in the extreme The sugar. rice and
tobacco fields were laid waste through no
fault of the army of occupation. but by the
insurgents, who have conceived the idea
that the destruction of property belonging
to foreigners will have To be paid for by
the United States. Still, the land is there,
and when everything is quiet, which l do
not doubt will be at an early date, cuiti-
walton, ably assisted by the natural quail
tiles of the rich tropical soil. will soon
bring about resumption OF the former
excellent conditions. The natives are of
cruel nature, and the so-called pacifico
inside the lines is much like the dog which
bitpS the hand thai feeds If -