The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-07-06
CHANCES IN THE ORIENT.

iatic Commemorative Glasses Of
Observation-Disclosures Field for
Industrial and Mechanical I'M
provements-soldier Boy Writes
Interestingly Of Our Eastern Pos
sessions. MI
To the Editor OF tho Intellsgencer
SIR:-In n recent contribution to the
Inteiitgencer, endeavored to set forth
the Manila view Of the alternatives In
the Philippine policy confronting the
American voter in the coming election.
Accepting this view rs the correct one.
namely, that the only acceptable and
practicable courses are self-government,
when conditions, Will pernatt-undsr.
u strong American! protectorate. or the
absolute possession OF these islands by
the United States. American control OF
this territory Is assured for consider,
able time, whatever its final disposition
by the American people, and 1t will be
my purpose In this article to call ut
tention to the great commercial oppor-
tunities arising therefrom These op-
portunities may be divided into two
classes, viz; those relating to the Phil
lppines themselves, and those created
by this American port and vantag"
ground In the Pacific ocean. Within the
last year, sufficient has been published
in the United States In regard to these
islands to give the reading business
man IL good idea of the conditions here.
The Philippines offer a virgin field for
all kinds OF Industrial and mechanical
improvements, and possess great natur-
nj resources awaiting capital and en-
ergy for development and having In
them the making Of many colossal for
tunes.
Typical Representation of Mechanic
III Conditions.
The writersrecently visited one of the
largest saw mills in Luzon and found
there typical representation of the
mechanical conditions prevailing among
these peoples. The industry is owned
by Chinaman and Chinese coolies are
employed to do the work in connection
Herewith, furnishing the total motive
power as well us mechanical skill. Four
coolies worked on each log in course Of
reduction to boards and their instru-
ments We're crOss-cut saws of the rud-
rkn Il Co chi tnn
power saw-mill Of the United States Is
grand and mighty invention compar-
ed with the slow and primitive process
OF making boards. yet nearly all the
lumber used In Luzon Is miilcd In this
manner and the great forests Of north
efn Luzon. Mindanao and the southern
islands are practically untouched.
Some of the finest hard woods In the
world are. to be found IN abundance
here. Mahogany Is everywhere plentiful
and furnishes the greater part OF the
building and furniture wood, but there
are many other valuable varieties, the
island OF Mindoro alone growing log
different hard-woods. These forests
within easy shipping distance of the
greatest lumber markets In the world
present unlimited opportunity to the
enterprising Yankee lumbermun. This
Is one example of Philippine opportu-
nifty for industrial improvements. There
are many others as inviting In the is
lands themselves. but like this one, they
/! ore chiefly individual and creative op-
portunities whose acceptance must nee.
essarily be too slow to Immediately AT.
feet American commerce
Different Conditions Present Them
selves.
But different conditions present
themselves In regard to the second
class Of opportunities mentioned We
stand at the gateway OF eastern Asia
with Its ,i0o,Ooo,0oo population. its enor-
nous wealth. and nstute commercial
instinct. The exporters and manufnc.
turcrs Of the world are now within
reach of the teeming markets Of China
with her awakening spirit of progress
ana vast undeveloped resources, and an
aggressive American business policy
pursued In her direction will bring to
our shores handsome portion OF her
commerce. Already American goods
ana machinery are recognized as the
standard In the east, and the Chinese
merchant stands able and ready TO
purchase them. NY
The next decade will see mnny miles
OF railway constructed in China. open-
Ing up her great inland cities for trade
and concentrating her capital for busl
ness enterprises. American factories
should md doubtless will, furnish the
greater part of this work, and Ameri.
can engineers supervise Its construc.
ton. thereby strengthening our pres
tigc along these lines ana bringing tho
United States into closer commercial
relation with the ruling powers in the
celestial empire, All OF our ministers TO
China. and notably Mr.. Charles DENLY.
IT.. In nm article to THE North AmerI-
can Review" in 1898, have uniformly
called attention to the great opportu-
mites for commercial enterprise afford
ed by the opening UP Of China for trade
with the world. ana they have as uni
tormly depIorcd American apathy In
reference thereto.
Sells His Country's Wares.
The English or German business man
In the orient sells English or German
goods IL he can, and American wares
only when he Is compelled to do no,