The Philipsburg mail., 1899-10-06
TRADE OF THE ORIENT
Great Commercial Activity Along
the Entire Pacific Coast.
AN OPEN MARKET TO THE WEST
The Philippine Islands a Base of Opera
tions-Senator Carter's Views on Ex-
pansion-AH Western States
Should Pull Together.
)PEN MARKET TO THE WEST

published an interview with Senator
T. H. Carter, in which he referred to
the great commercial interests that
have been acquired by this country
through the war with Spain. While in
San Francisco for the purpose of well
coming our soldiers home upon their
arrival on American soil, the Senator
could not refrain from expressing his
satisfaction at the great commercial
activity that prevails along the entire
Pacific coast. A great market has been
opened up to the westward by the ac-
QUESTION Of the Hawaiian and Philip
pine Islands, and the harbors of the
Golden Gate and Puget sound will in
the near future rival those Of New York
and Boston. The Pacific coast states
are solid for expansion, and Senator
Carter 5 remarks struck a popular chord
The Senator Is very enthusiastic over
| the reception TO be given to the Mon
| tana boys and is taking an active inter-
est Ill the arrangements. In speaking
OF the volunteers Of the treasure state
and affairs III general, he said:
We are very proud OF the achieve
mentS OF our soldier boys. Montana
was called upon for about 600 troops.
The state furnished over 800 splendid
men, and II the federal government had
continued TO accept our volunteers
sufficient number would have enlisted
to make several regiments. The troop;
viii arrive during the week and it is
most gratifying to observe that the visit
ing mountaincers will receive most cor
dial support from the citizens OF San
Francisco in extending to them a hearty
welcome home.
The city is obviously enjoying it's full
share of the great industrial and com
mercial activity now prevailing through
out the entire country There is no lust
cause for provincialism or local ieal-
ousy on this coast. There is ample
room for a full duplication of New
York, Boston and Philadelphia between
Puget sound and the Mexican line. The
time is at hand for all interests, all
states and all communities west Of the
Mississippi river to pull together for the
vigorous and timely development of the
latent resources and the mighty indus
tlial and commercial possibilities of the
western tWO-.hirds Of the republic
heretofore our common country has
been dependent upon the markets of
Europe In Europe there are Pot, 900, 000
OF people, largely engaged in producing
the salne crops, minerals and manufac-
tured products produced by our people
To the west Ol us, Is an open market
with more than one-half the pOpulH-
tl0n OF the globe FOR cDusunlers Re
cent events have brought It's face 10 idaa
with the question: Win we or will we
not take an aggressive position in the
ClioGtaI trade. The war with Spain
placed H. in posi- ion to move forward a
century within ninety days, providing
the people have the nerve. the enter
prise and the capacity to take adyaU-
ta2e OF the opportunities forced upon
them By the fortunes OF war
England, France, Germany and every
tradi G nation III Europe is, with land
able ambition, seeking to control the
trade OF the Orient. All of these save
Russia, must pass through difficult
waters for about 1000 miles to reach
the center Of Oriental commerce. The
same point can be reached from this
western coast by sailing over an open
ocean i'll the temperate zone for from
5000 to 5000 miles Russia having an
overland connection, can reach that cen
ter Of trade SO as to become our com
petitor. No other first-class nation can
compete with us on equal terms. In
order to command the trade we must
support our traders in the enforcement |
of their just claims Heretofore our
merchants trading in the Orient have |
been compelled time and again to pass
by the American consulate and appeal |
f,, e.,
aid in the enforcement of ordinary CON
tracts. This must be changed or we
must abandon the trade The change
can only be brought about by impress
ing the minds of the people of Asia |
with the clear and distinct under: tand-
ing that this government of ours has .
the will and the power TO protect Amer
lean citizens in their just rights any
where, everywhere, and all the time.
This impression cannot be created by .
platitudes and resolutions. We must .
nave a navy to police the seas and a
merchant marine to carry our goods to .
foreign ports. the Philippine islands
will constitute for that navy and mer-
chant marine a necessary and advan-
tageous base Of operations | think we
should exercise sovereignty over the /
islands in the interest of our own cOun-
try, and 1t certainly can be no objection /
to his course TO urge that our civilian
tiCn and our institutions may prove un-
pleasant to professional revolutionists.
II we beat an inglorious retreat from
the Philippines we viii lose character
and standing in every way not only in
Europe, bat with all Oriental nations,
to su-'h an extent that this country will
suffer for centuries among the nations
OF the earth because of a cowardly.
surrender in the presence
Of the whole civilized and semi civilized
world.
Respect for our flag and all that it