Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-06-27
the vastest trading operations of the

of the vastest tradlns opeia'Ao' u
future -, .;a
n the policy of partitioning the tropics
among European powers shali lialy pr
vail the Philippines will in themselves Iur-
nish the United States with an extensive
,rea WITHIN the torrid zone and under It's
control through which, in connection WIN
tropical America, there may De carried oii
that exchange of products between me ,oa.
rid and temperate zones which constitutes
so large a part of modern commerce.
Control of the trade of the Phihppanes
will enable us to use 1t, II deslraple, as
means of bargain with other nations winch
cnntrol tho commerce of other sections OF
Asia, with the possible result that reclpro-
cal freedom of trade or open-door arrahse:
ments may be Instituted in respect 10 theIh
all.
Will Prevent Closing of the open D"or
The Philippines not only hold out promise
of vast direct commerce like that "hich
Netherlands has furnished to Hol-
land but in connection with the Hawaiian
Islands. Guam, Tutuila, Alaska and the
Aleutian Islands they place the republic in
such relations of proximity and intimate
touch with Asia, and in such a command
ing position from the naval and military
standpoint that it's rights as Paclnc
power commercial or otherwise, are sure
to be respected. r;.a
States desires open ports In Asia. 1t stands
with them against the dismemberment OF
China and for equality of trade. 80
Every diplomatic and consular oiice5 "
the United States in Asia, every individual
American there, whether merchant, mis-
sionary or concession seeker, Is more re-
spected and safer in his rights as result
of the possession of the Philippines ana OF
the events which led UP to 1t. Even the
mowers of Europe recognize our increased
prestige in Asiatic affairs, and comply as
they would not have dreamed OF doing Two
wears ago with our request Tor pleoses Oh
scrupulous observance Of the treaty rights
of the United States in the sections OF
China leased to foreign powers.
The weak and corrupt central govern I'm
ment of China is pushed and pulled this
way and that by the representatives OF the
European powers at Pekin, and has httle
control over the vast population ana III
is no spirit Of nationality or patriotic loyal,
ty permeating the people. North ana
South China provinces speak dlHerent dla,
lects and hate one another cordlally anu
to the murder point. The Chinese detest
the Tartar soldiers of the Manchu gov
eminent at Pekin and the sentiment Is re-
ciprocated.
The beginnings of a wonderful American
trade with this people have been made
They are fast learning. for instance, to use
our -four and our cotton goods. southern
cotton and western wheat, after passing
through American mills, ind mere entrance
to an unlimited market.
Existing conditions in China make eternal
vigilance and decisive action the price OF
| trade retention. Our merchants. no less
| than our missionaries need ready and
prompt protection. and against the maneu-
vers of foreign powers at Pek1n no less
than against the rioting secret societies,
rendered douby dangerous by the weak
ness and personal apprehenslons or the
Chinese governing clique.
In China even in commercial affairs and
| in trade concessions the physical power to
| hold what has been granted or won by I'M
| firing and intelligent energy is essential to
| Its retention, and the people of the I'M
potent nation in the clash of conflicting
| interests inevitably go to the wall.
| Through possession of the Philippines the
United States has now trading emporium
! an army and a navy at the very door of
forces quickly available We are today not
lower than the third power In Asia; and
when American lives are threatened or at
tackled by Boxers or any other Asatics,
and when our commercial holdings In Asia
are menaced from any quarter, the value
| of Manila as a safeguard of American in
terests is and will be demonstrated more
and more convtnctngly.
Occupancy Of the Philippines Increases our
chances of retaining our present trade In
| China and of vastly enlarging it, and tends
| to prevent the closing of the open Chinese
| door in European spheres or influence, the
forcible annexation of the previously leased
sections and the inevitably resulting dis
memberment Of the Chinese empire. accom-
panied by International war.
Thus the Philippines are valuable asset
for the purpose of tropical commerce In
themselves, with their vast area OF rich and
productive acres: they are serviceable
doors with other powers in the orient; and
| they are an important factor In the hight
for the vast trade Of the Asiauo continent,
| since by means of them Unqle Sam plants