Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1900-01-18

VAIN ~" Eh NEAit fEhlNb, WHfRk KALI
ROAD STATION WILL BE LOCATED.
Philippines. China is an interesting
country. The population is at least
30O000.0O0, and probably 350,00O, 900 is
n more correct estimate. have met n
number OF the leading men of the ma
ton. When received by Ii Hung
Chang. he asked me IL was so years
old. Considering my age. this would
not have been hattering in our own
country, but afterward learned that
the willy statesman intended the query
as compliment He intended to infer
surprise that one so young should rep
resent the United States in such an
important position.
II have also met Sheng, who is at the
head of the Chinese railroads. He is
one of the ablest aud wealthiest men In
China and is worth at least $50 100000
1t is his belief that his country is des.
tined to have railroad system second
only to that of the United States
kang Yu Wei, the Chinese reformcr,
who. II will be remembered, was com
PEELED to leave his native country, be-
licves In the future OF China. but
claims that she must he freed from the
domination Of certain politicians. He
wishes, of course, that China should be
turned over to the reform party. The
present Chinese minister at Washing
ton Is another capable man. He be-
lieves that China Is abundantly able to
take care of herself II outside pow
ers Will only let her alone.
Marquis Ito is doubtless the ablest
statesman In Japan. He says that the
Japanese empire has great future
herself and that she will always exert
strong influence in the far east He
Is also OF the opinion that there will be
NO grent war In the immediate future
In Asia, and the different nations will
work out their own salvation.
while stationed In Siam I visited
the Philippines and made a thorough
study OF conditions In that group. In
private conversations and personal let
ters and In frequent reports made to
our government stated years before
we thought Of lighting Spain that In
proportion to size and population the
philippines surpassed all other coun-
tries OF Asia In variety and extent Of
great staple products and In natural
resources awaiting development, to-
gether with conditions favorable to the
support OF large population.
when went about the Islands, the
fact which impressed me most was
opening OF the Philippines to the com
n fhn "A
standing with General Blanco. then the
governor general. during review, Of
Spanish troops In progress OH the Luz
meta that he remarked that it was for
tunate for Spain and the United States
that we We're always at peace. He
said this as he gazed with admiration
upon tho seemingly strong body OF
Spanish soldiery passing.
THE island Of Luzon Is about the
size OF New York state, and the Philip
pine group has n population of $780,
600. Yet Java, which Is the same size
as Luzon, supports n population OF 90
100000. These figures show the i'm
nense growth which must come in
time to the Philippines.
There is room for the Investment of
SSO0,o 100000 In new enterprises in the
Philippines. One-ifth of this sum
might be put In railroads. Sugar.
hemp. tobacco. rice, cocoanuts, coffee,
vanilla beans. spices, fruits and large
variety OF other products can be proAt-
ably raised. Gold, silver, copper. tin,
Iron and soft and hard coal are found
In the Islands. The climate Is far bet
ter than 1t has been represented. Near
Manila are high mountains, and have
no doubt that many hotels. hospitals.
barracks and sanitariums viii there be
erected" WILLIAM II. BRIrroN.