The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1900-09-25

from q purely commercial standpoint
Of profit ana loss. Whether it IS deslf-
able tina grave questions or cOnStlIu-
tional government should ever be con-
siGeyed from the standpoint Of COM
nercial gain, the fact is t.,at every
male citizen in the United States, not
legally disqualified, is by virtue OF his
power to vote a lawmaker, and Wnetn-
err be will preserve existing INSTITUTIONS
or Overturn them is q matter OF his
own viii. and those who would over
turn settled policies must be met at the
threshold Of such a controversy on
their own ground.
.If this government is to remain a
republic, the people will be responsible
for it: If it is to be converted into an
empire, the people will be responsible
for that, and, this being so, it is the
part of wisdom to talk about the things
some Of the people are thinking about.
1t is safe to say that if the commerce
with the Philippine Islands was the
limit Of the possibilities for commercial
expansion in the east the question OF
their permanent retention would have
been settled long ago against such a
policy. The average nnual aggregate
Of the imports and exports Of the is
lands for a period of ten years, ending
with the year 1898. is S33,0OO,O0O. Ii
every dollar of this commerce was with
the United States and every dollar Of
it was profit, it would not pay the ex-
penses Of a civil and orderly govern
ment in the islands,
Here Mr.. Howard inserts some tables
Of figures showing exactly the imports
Of the Philippines from all the
tries Of the world as well as the eX-
ports Of the archipelago to these same
countries, perfectly substantiating the
facts as stated by him in his opening
paragraphs.
Facts to Consider.
"If this is wise for us, just to our Ia
boring element, a contrary policy is I'M
wise and unjust to the people Of these
islands, and in it's last analysis the
competition is that Of the cody con-
tract labor with the free labor Of the
States in the production Of sugar and
tobacco. 1t is no reply to say that he
island tobacco, being better than ours,
does not really compete with it. Their
best tobacco is better than ours and
hence does not compete, but they now
raise and will raise still more Of a
grade OF tobacco which is not better
than ours that will compete with us.
Nor will it do to say hat the cane
and beet sugar industry of the states
yields so small q per cent Of the total
consumed that u Industries will not
be affected. The price of U sugar is
fixed by the price of theirs. Besides,
the beet sugar industry in the United
States promises in the future to supply
oEr home market. Germany and
France not only supply their bone
market. but export largely of beet sug-
ar. The fact is hat beet sugar sup
plies two-thirds of the sugar consumed
in the world. and the adaptability Of
sections Of the west and the south to
its production promises some relief
from the Improbable production of
cotton and wheat.
Cotton was formerly grown in the
Philippines and may be grown there
again, and, while you add this industry
TO those existing in h islands, you in
crease the production Of a staple the
price Of which, when q normal crop is
made in the United States, is below the
cost of production, bringing distress
and want to many Of the people now
dependent upon that branch Of agricul-
ture."
After 20 pages Of close reasoning Mr..
Howard sums up the situation in a
most interesting fashion. It is we'll
written, it is good reading, and it makes
the eastern situation SO plain that even
"a Wayfaring man, though q fool, can
not err therein" Here it is:
A Look Into the Future.
"If the powers in China act in con
cert in excluding all commerce except
their own, the question is fairly pre-
sented whether we are sufficiently pow
erful to. overcome their resistance by
owning the Philippines. | take it that
in our generation no American govern
ment would inaugurate a war in a
large sense offensive against England,
Germany, Russia and France. The
question will not admit Of argument.
N that contingency we would discover
honor and prosperity in peace.
Let ne now assume that the greater
probability is from the relation be
tween these powers that they may
quarrel among themselves. and if we
We're in possession OF the Philippines
we should have IN opportunity to be
drawn into the quarrel on more favor
ab!e terms than those just supposed,
and With the fortunes Of war more
evenly balanced we could better afford
its risks, and in this more hopeful view
we keep the Philippine Islands. We
Will fOrtify and garrison the best har-
bors, build drydocks, equip cOaling sta
tons. BALD repair shops and keep q
feet OF warships about our Asiatic sta.
ton.
"American money is invested in Chi
ma: American citizens have large inter.
ests there. The critical moment ar.
rives, the diplomatic triggers are set
we scan the situation and make choice
Cf sides. with whom or in what partic
ular combination the emergency will
determine. If we win. we shall have
4 port, q sphere Of influence, Of Oul
own. The prize is q rich one. We are
eager for it. We pile coal in Luzon as