The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-04-19

4
this vast region opproxlmates $3.50 O0O.O0v.
But, as even cursory discussion OF 20
great a subject would be too long for this
occasion, the term Orient" WILL In the
narrower definition OF this address, desig-
nate only Japan. China and the Philip
cines. Blu. thase countries are the best
types OF the distinctive traits and CONNER
cial conditions Of the Far East. In all
the years Of It's earlier history, exclusive
ness was the chief feature OF Oriental life
In former times, foreign sailors, ship
wrecked on the co9sts OF Japan, were
either put to death or detained for life, in
order that no knowledge OF the island elm
pire might be carried to other lands. Till
| the institution OF modern reforms, no sub
)ect might behold the sacred person OF the
inikado. Even the ministers OF state re-
! ceived the orders of his august majesty
| from behind screen. But, since the ex-
petition of Commodore Perry. in 1853,
opened to mankind the gateways OF Js-
pan, the progress OF that country has been
marvellous. The recent advancement OF
the insular kingdom In commerce and
manufactures. in education and naval
power, has surprised the world.
But China has not yet abandoned its an
Client policy of isolation. 1t claims to have
invented printing gunpowder and the ma
riners compass. Yet these great inven-
lions. which have SO materially promoted
the advancement OF Europe, did not cause
equal progress in the Folwery Kingdom.
The literature did not teach the Chinese
people the wisdom of International liber-
Atty, the gunpowder did not preserve the
integrity of the Celestial Empire, and the
compass did not guide the Chinese mer-
chantnen to the ports of distant lands.
But the reserve which has for thousands
OF years excluded foreign innovations is
beginning distinctly to yield to the mighty
forces OF Western civilization. The United
States, England, Germany and France
now hold spheres of influence" on or near
the coast Of China. and these powerful
nations will exert their influence to effect
the abolition Of the restrictive policy
which has so long retarded the prosperity
of great, Industrious and ingenious people.
The result can not be doubtful. The forces
now at work are doing much to open China
to the commerce of the world. There
are, perhaps, no larger and better equip
ped steamers than those which ply on the
Yangtse- Kiang. Regular lines of spacious
and well appointed merchantmen run be-
tween Australia and the ports of Japan and
China. Tho English French and German
steamship which are engaged in Aslatlc
. trade are many and great, but the growing
demands of Oriental commerce Will soon
, need the service OF larger fleets Already
, the increasing traffic which traverses the
, Pacific exceeds the carrying capacity of
, our American lines.
The railroads will be important factors
IN opening Oriental lands to Western com-
MERGE. The Transsiberlan railway will
: exert a powerful influence upon the mer-
camille development of Northern China
The industries fostered by existing lines
] OF railroad will create larger products for
: shipment and a wider demand for the IA
: cllites of railway transportation. Kan
roads will produce the same commercial
effects in Japan, China and the Philippines
which they have caused in India. Trans
porting commodities from the interior 20
the sea coast, they will furnish the freight
for expectation; increasing the number
o and familarlzing the appearance OF for
eign travellers, they viii tend to dispel
= the prejudice which Aslatic races enter
: tain toward men of Caucasian birth; and
cooperating with Industrial factors In the
. developrr emit OF natural resources they VIII
help cr> q the wealth that VIII enable the
q people Of the Orient to buy the merchandise
OF Western nations. This larger contact
with more economic peoples and the pow
d erful economic forces which are now al
a work can hardly fail to open Oriental ports
= to Western enterprise. The acquisition
A OF greater riches and familiarity with
6 higher standards OF civilization will cause
J, larger individual wants. The use OF I'm
r ported foods fabrics and inventions VIII
develop more expensive habits OF living
n and cultivate tastes which only Western
! commerce can crafty. Japan is striking
It example of the larger needs which an ad
" Vancing civilization creates. In less thai
ia half a century the foreign trade OF JapaI
n has increased from nothing to S27O,OOO,OO
!, a year China, with an area greater thar
= that Of the United States, and with pop
- ulation eight times as large as that o
!. Japan. has foreign commerce OF onl.
;, $3.50 900 COO. If the traffic of China wer'
=. proprtionately as large as that OF Japan
l. the foreign trade OF the Celestial Enpir
y would nearly equal the commerce or tn
% United States. The opposition OF the EN-
~ press of China to reforms VIII prove IN
~ effectual. No~nonarch is so strong as sue
IS ressfully to withstand the forces OF moo
III ern progress. The gates OF the Flower
& Kingdom will ultimately be opened 10 IN
&. commerce OF other nations, and its peopi
III will, with every step OF advance, NOR
In largely enjoy the comforts and conVen
ar iences OF Western civilization.
at At present the trade OF the Unite
g, States with the Orient Is small. In 1883
IN the total amount Of our commerce Wit
re Japan, China, Hong Kong and the Philip
ii, pines was $S7, 900 600. Tho government re
- ports show that tho chief commodities !
o. our exports to these markets are COLO
g. fiber ana fabrics, kerosene oil, wheat an
ca flour and wares of iron and steel. o
he these products the United States can tuf
ny nish almost illimitnble quantities. n
eli foreign competition can jeopardize the su
he premacy OF our Southern states in tn
production aud manufacture of cotton
No More progressive rivals are Wrestling froI
he England its pre-eminence in the manu-
IA facture OF cotton goods. olAeial statistic
~, show that in 1885 the mills OF Englan
made So per cent OF the cotton fabrics
d Europe. In 1899, only 40 per cent
% European cottons was woven in Engl!s
lV- looms Since 1894 British factories hay
n increased their productive capacity by IN
pc addition Of half a million spndles, Blu
M during the same period. more than mn
oil times as many spindles have been adde
es, 10 the equipment OF continental mills,
M 1899 the factories OF Continental Eurof
full consumed about 900 bales more eot.c
III than the mills OF England did The'
hi facts seem to prove the relative dee!
are dence OF Great Britain in cotton mani
OF features. But the manufacture OF cote
ms goods In our Southern States has alread
m developed into vast industry. With
srs the last Ave years the mills OF the Soul
he have enlarged their textile capacity
cir two and a half million spindles, and u
IN profits Of manufacture are encouraging q
erection OF many new factories The lei
All tile soil, which produces Rn abundance
M the best fiber. a genial climate, whi'
~. greatly reduces the heavy expense OF hea
fpp No. L.. al