The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-02-01

INDUSTRIAL nations OF Europe cOmplneu'
that II ts one.half the product OF all the
rest of the world put together, ana is
growing twice as fast; that we are I'M
measurably ahead Of all rivals In raw
inaerials and resources for future devcl-
opment. and that, with our superior ap-
pliances. we far excel them IN produc-
Ing power MAN for man. Since M'0
while our population has doubled, our
manufacture have quadrupled. Our
producing capacity is up to and beyond
the measure of our consuming ability
and Is Increasing faster. Though we are
foremost In Industrial growth. yet all
the great nations have been advancing
iapidly. and It is estimated that, under
the application of modern forces and OF
improved machinery, the producing Gu
pacity of the world is such that If OPP
Grated to its full extent ten hours n day.
enough would be produced In six months
to supply the worlds demand for year.
Just now with the great revival OF busi-
ness following the depression and the
depletion which went on from 1873 to 1897,
the production may not Cutrun the de-
mand. But It is the part of prudence to
deal with broad and lasting conditions.
and TO prepare today for the require
mentg of tomorrow.
.--.o:-
what, then. are we to do? Arc we
10 restrict production? Are we to rur
the necessary sequences of lower wages.
smaller profits and wide discomfort? Or
are we to provide for this enormous and
expanding output by supplementiny our
own vast but unequal measure OF con-
sumption with new outlets and marketsr
Under this stress aid IN this rivalry the
other great nations are struggling for
empire and making opportunities tor
trade. The United States has no need
to engage In this territorial rivalry with
the object of commercial opportunity.
We have made an opportunity larger
than all these in securing the open door
| in China. There we find the greatest
potential new market In the world. The
accomplishment of the open door In
China with the consent and pledge of
all the great natio ms. and without the
necessity of entering into any territorial
division, Is the greatest of all recent
achievements of diplomacy. 1t secures
| for the United States commercial op-
portunity which is Invaluable. 1t pio-
rides one of the great outlets which
our industrial supremacy and our enor-
nous producing capacity require. And
| that achieN ement is the great end mag
nificent fruit of cur triumph at Manila
and our possession of the philippines.
I do not dwell upon the value Of the
| Philippines themselves. say nothing
of the opportunity which is offered in
|
ress when once brought under the peace
| fu sway of good government and Of
| civilizing development. Their highest
significance lies in the fact that they
| give us Il foothold in the Orient and
| constitute a commercial and naval base
| at the very vcstibule Of China for a
commercial opportunity and expansion
which were far beyond our widest
dreams two years ago. If We were to
fater in the policy we should sacrifice
all that We have gained as its precious
| fruit.
I'm the prosecution of this policy of
| commercial expansion the next great
| step IL the development of q merchant
marine IT we would successfully carry
| on the work upon which we have en-
| tered we must carry our products in our
own ships. Mr.. Smith emphasized the
| imperative necessity of Il policy of pro-
| lection on behalf of American shipping
| and said in conclusion: I'VE have only
| one of two courses before U.S. Either
| we must halt our growth, limit our pro-
| duction, bank our fires and stop our
| spindles, curtail our labor and restrict
our capital. with all that this involves,
or we must find broader markets and ex-
panded consumption. There may be
| some cost in this ocean wide extension,
| but is there not greater cost of loss in
| u paralyZing restriction? There may
be some perplexities in this policy OF
| commercial expansion, but are there
| not great perpleXities and dangers in
| IL policy of industrial contraction? And
| just as this imperative necessity pre-
| sents itself. there comes a remarka BILE,
| unforeseen, undre AIMED OF, 1t is not too
much to say Providential. opportunity.
| We are driven by humanity into a war
| with Spain; we strike an instant and
| crushing blow by taking the Philippines
| we are planted at once at the very
threshold Of the new and promising mar
| ket of the Orient: we are able, through
| this sudden and marvellous increase of
| American influence, to command the
| open door in China; and Immediately one
| of the great outlets we need Is brought
| within our reach. What intelligent and
| thoughtful American, reviewing the
| whole situation, can hesitate at the pol
| icy before us? In extending the sway
| of our flag and our commerce, we shall
| carry civilization with them. We shall
| rescue rude peoples from the darkness
| and the oppression in which they have
| been enthralled We shall give them
| enlightenment and freedom and aspira
| ton; and the American name, which has
become the synonym of strength and
power In the East, will become equally
the token of liberal. humane and uplift-
| ing rule'