The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-06-02
OREGON WILL
SET The PACE
Administration to Be Sustained
in Policy Of Expansion.
OUR INTERESTS IN THE EAST
Unlied States Must Retain Philippines or
Forever Follow 10 the Trail Of Eu.
Fopean Powers Opinions Of
One Who Knows.

WASHINGTON. d. c.. May 2s.-Edi-
tor Astorian: The whole country is
watching Oregon. Will she declare on
June ith for or against the develop
ment Of Pacific commerce and trade?
VIII Oregon show the Eastern states
that she is not unmindful Of our vast
Trans-Pacihc opportunity? VIII she
lead the way, throughout the section
which has the greatest interests at
stake, In urging upon the rest Of the
United States that there must be no
faltering, FIRST, In courageously meet
ing our unavoidable moral responsible
titles in the Philippines and. second, in
developing cur consequent material in
terests In all the Far East?
The verdict Of Oregon on these vital
issues is eagerly awaited In New Eng
land, in the Middle States. In the South.
and in the Central West. All these
sections expect Oregon on June 4th to
declare herself either for progress or
straightforward as Oregon decides,
accordingly wifi be her standing and
reputation in the other chief divisions
Of the country which have not actually
as much concern in our future Asiatic
policy as the Pacific coast. May l
suggest that / speak advisedly and
from personal contact, for while discus
sing the question Of our Pacific devel-
opment by special invitation before all
classes OF people, laborers as well as
capitalists. In nearly every state, I be-
heve there have been unusual facil-
titles afforded me for ascertaining pub
lie sentiment. In this connection 1t is
no exaggeration to state that, as the
real truth is known In regard to our
position in the Philippines and our op-
portunities in the Orient, opinion is
growing in favor not only Of keeping
our flag in the Philippines but Of be-
coming masters of the Pacific seas and
the Oriental markets.
EFFECT OF oREGoNs DECISION.
If oregon's decision is negative, she
cannot expect the East and South to
heartily respond to her invocations to
cooperate in mighty enterprises and
in broad policies that will bring per-
manent prosperity to the Pacific coast
Can Oregon logically ask congress to
appropriate money for the improve
ment OF the Colrnbia, Willamette and
other rivers within her borders. If she
announces on June 4th that she is op-
posed to the fullest development Of
trade on the Pacific ocean to which
these rivers are tributary? Can Ore
gon logically expect congress to order
the further drdeging of the Columbia
river bar and those of other Oregon
harbors, II she elects men to congress
on June 4th who would erect an in
superable barrier to our commerce with
Asia by withdrawing our flag from
the Philippines and destroying our
prestige and influence among SO0,000,-
900 Asiatics, along coast line, oppo-
site Oregon's shores. of 5000 miles and
having already a foreign trade val
ued at nearly $1,000, 000, 900, of which
our share now is only one-tenth, or
$500, ,0OO. 900. where 1t should be half or
more?
COMMERCE. NOT POLITICS, AT
STAKE.
The East, South and Central West
are not watching Oregon merely for
political reasons; they are maintain
ing on the other hand that it will be
interesting and instructive to learn
the real opinion of the Oregon people
on the Asiatic and Pacific opportunity
in commerce and trade as held by a
state which has supreme concern in
its development. In other words, If
Oregon does not value or appreciate
the wide Pacific field highly enough
to declare so in unmistakable terms on
June 4th, 1t cannot be consistently
claimed that the states east of the
Rockies should support policy that
will advance our material and moral
influence In the Orient.
CANAL AND CABLE ALSO IN
VoLvED.
If Oregon votes against holding the
Philippines, which we undeniably oc-
cupy as a result of the Spanish war,
and hence against paramount Amer
lea in the Pacific, she will place a dis
couraging and possibly destructive
handicap on such vitally important
measures as the Nicaragua Canal and
Pacific cable bills now before congress.
The members of congress who now rep
resent Oregon. laying aside political
considerations. stand for the develop
ment of Oregon's material interests
along those far reaching lines which
mean permanent prosperity for the
state and coast. Can she, therefore.
afford to repudiate them on June 4?
Can she afford to exchange them for
those candidates, who, under the cover
of false cry against so-called imper-
ialism, claim they are also for legi-
innate expansion, when, in fact by
endeavoring to straddle the issue, they
ere the enemies of that development
which is so necessary for Oregon's well
being?
NOT A PARTISAN ISSUE.
This is not an issue Of mere parti-
san politics; It is one which concerns
without reference to party fealty the
lasting prosperity of our good common
wealth There are many Of us demo-
Gratis who would only be too glad to
support the democratic nominees If
they were not favorable to a policy