The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-08-19
THE BASIS OFF TRADE.

the anti-imperialist meeting in Indian
apolis, but none more truthful and to the
point than the following by sigmund
Zeisrer, of Chicago:
1.-THE truth, of course, is that advanced
methods of manufacture, cheapness of
merchandise and adaptation to the
tastes Of consumers, and not political
sovereignty over their territory, are the
elements that win trade.
Before he finished speaking, Mr.. Zeis-
Ter clearly exposed the inconsistency OF
the administrations professions with re-
spect to the commerce of the Philippines
and of China. In the first instance ac-
tual possession and rule of the islands
by this country is necessary In the opin-
ion of the administration, and at the
same time the trade Of China, thou
sand fold more important, is being fol-
lowed up on totally different theories
We want no territory in China, but only
ask equal opportunity with others to In
terest the Chinese in our goods. The
fact that the Chinese can, under this
arrangement, keep their land and their
government, does not seem to worry the
administration over the future of our
trade with the Orient
This point may profitably be dwelt
upon by all thinking Americans The
theory CT forcible possession of land as
a trade promoter is purely war and
military theory, and is itself a relic Of
the times when men had to engage in
physical combat for their existence. 1t
would force an outside government on an
unwilling people, and, this accomplished,
would force upon them the goods of the
conqueror. 1t requires but the most
superficial reasoning to convince the ma
jority that trade extension made I'M
der such conditions rests upon very
weak foundations, and can be justified
only in case there are no better meth
DDS than are supplied by force, and that
such methods are universally applied.
But the situation as respects nine-tenths
of the worlds trade is radically differ
emit 1t is based upon the considerations
described by Mr.. Zeisler, and nothing
else. The flag ends Of commerce are
gathered up by shotgun methods, and
the uncertainty of trade thus established
and its usual short duration, impels those
who favor the shotgun to forever look
for opportunities to take the place of
others that are expected to fail soon or
late. They are a disturbing element In
the peace of the world and are always a
nuisance There is so much more to be
obtained through the peaceful, advanced
and civilized methods Of dealing with in
ternational trade that those who place
their faith in force are hopelessly be-
hind the times. That is one of the chief
reasons why the administration is op-
posed for it's Philippine policy. The
American people want no trade that they
cannot get through methods which ap-
peal to the better sentiment of others
to their seif-interest and comfort.
If it be granted that we can furnish
cheaper and better goods, and are who'll
ly disposed to heed the desires and
preJudices of those who are expected to
purchase, we do not need a single SOL
der to plant the flag in advance Of
trade. There is better basis than mill
tary control, and the administration
comedies that much in outlining it's Chi
nese policy. There can be no doubt
that the trade argument to justify con-
quest Of the Philippines is a fat failure
with the American people. They realize
that they can never get the best quality
Of trade by such methods, and that
such war of conquest has
the tendency to lower the country to the
level of the common brawler among ma
lions.