Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-07-04

opened, and the natives have an oppor-
unity Of experiencing the beneficial re-
ults Of the American system OF govern
nent.
The pledge given by Congress and the ad-
to pacify Cuba and establish
IN independent government is being car
las Cuba passed through such peaceful
period as has followed American occupa-
ion. Law and order have been established
throughout the island, and its Inhabitants
nave been able to devote themselves to the
vacations of peace embarrassed by the
agents of tyrannical government Rapid
progress Is made toward the establishment
If an independent government. The munich
,alities have been under Cuban control
Snce American occupation began, municipal
Elections have been held and the framing
If a constitution and the establishment OF
| national government will follow as the
lext step. 1t Is true that some of the sub
ordinate officials sent to Cuba have proven
unworthy of their trust and Of the conf
1ence which the administration reposed IN
them. But the frauds are small compared
with many that sometimes occur In our own
cities and states; and an object lesson OF
nestimable value has been given the Gu
BANS of how we deal with such misconduct.
They were already familiar with peculation;
but now, for the first time. they see 1t pun
shed with vigor, swiftness and severity.
Trade Follows the Flag.
That American trade follows the flag Is
SuOWH ny tLc llliHcHSC 6AoW III AZ sAAS W.
ume of American exports to the islands that
have come under our authority For the
ten months ending April 80, 1897, the year
before the Spanish war. the exports from
the United States to Cuba amounted to
Sc. 764, 767; to Porto Rico, 81 ,G59,!O5; to Ha-
wall. 3,76s. 739. and to the Philippine
Islands, s91, 100. Ror the corresponding ten
months Of the present fiscal year the ex-
ports to Cuba amounted to s22,OO6,9 73: to
Porto Rico, $3,O52,971; to Hawaii, 81, COL
TO, and to the Philippine Islands, s., 1872 A.
These figures for the current year relate
only to commercial exports, and do not in
clude any of the supplies that have been
sent to United States troops in the tnsular
1t will be seen that the most
increase has been in the exports
to the Philippines. and this, too, In spite of
the fact that the country has been dis
turbed, and that until recently but two
ports were open to trade. With order re-
stored throughout the archipelago, and
with the inhabitants engaged IN the avoca-
tons of peace, the Philippine Islanders Will
be numbered among the best customers OF
the United States. Furthermore, the Philip
pines will be the stepping stone to the COM
merce of the east. The administration has
realized from the first the necessity of the
expansion of American markets abroad,
and especially in Asia Geographically, the
United States is more favorably situated
with reference to the trade of the orient
than are the nations of Europe. Hawaii.
Guam and the Philippines lie In the path
of American commerce in China. They will
form stopping places in time of peace and
harbors of refuge and bases of naval ac-
tivity in time of war. The President has
noted the efforts of European nations to
extend their spheres of influence IN China,
and one Of the most important achieve
ments of the administration has been the
success of Secretary Hay in securing the
pledge of European nations to maintain
there the open door"
To Foster American Shipping.
If the United States are to secure the
greatest benefits from their growing foreign
commerce, large percentage of that COM
merce must be carried in American bot
toms under the American flag. To bring
this about the republican party favors such
legislation as will best lead to the develop
Hent of American shipbulding and Ameri-
can shipowning. Here, again. the matter
of wages enters largely into the problem
Not only are workmen in American ship
yards better paid than those in similar es-
Establishments abroad but the wages of Of
fcers and seamen on American merchant
ships are much higher than in any other
merchant marine in the world. If Ameri-
can ships are to compete successfully for
the ocean-carrying trade such legislation
must be enacted as will meet these wage
conditions.
An important factor In the commercial
development of the United States will be the
construction of a trans-isthmian canal
which will not only bring the eastern and
western coasts of the United States into
closer relations, but shorten the distance
from the Atlantic and the gulf to the orient
and from the Pacific to Europe. To such a
canal the party pledged itself in 1896 Sub
stantia! progress has already been made by
the President and Congress toward carry
ing out that pledge. and there is no doubt
that when Congress reassembles In Decem-
Der, with the full report of the Walker COM
mission before It, final legislative action will
be taken.
On the Trust Issue.
On the trust issue the republicans advo-
cate a policy of correcting the evils which
grow from combinations of corporations
and great aggregations Of capital without,
at the same time. restricting legitimate en-
terprise. Kept within proper bounds-and
this should be done by the most resoute
legislation wherever necessary-large cor
porations may be made alike beneficial to
their stockholders, to their employees and
to the consumers Of their products. The
large corporation, with It's ability to estab-
fish agencies throughout the world is I'M
doubtedly an important factor in the build
ing up of foreign commerce.
The opposition will denounce the repub-
lican policy toward trusts as they will de-
nounce every other policy of the dominant
party. They will excuse the opposition OF
the democratic members of the House oil
Representatives to the constitutional
amendment giving Congress full power over
trusts on the ground that such an amend
ment would invade the rights of the states
although the decisions of the Supreme
Court have clearly defined the limitations
of the present power on this subject. What
ever may be said as to the wisdom of thi.
amendment. 1t is evident that our demo
cratic brethren, while criticising republ
can Congress for not legislating full rene
dies for the evils of trusts, are themselves
when put to the test, unwilling to gran
Congress power for this purpose. On thu
whole, the position of the democrats on tn,
| trust issue has been greatly weakened b.
the votes of the democratic representative
cast against the constitutional amendment
and 1t will be still further weakened. b!
| the re.a lions between Tammany Hall ant
| the ice trust.
The maintenance of friendly relations
| with foreign powers and the adequate pro
| lection Of American citizens in their live
| and property wherever they may be. will
| be, as 1t has been in the past, the polio.
| of the republican party. The platform o
| 1896 declared that "our foreign polio
| should be at all times firm, vigorous an
| dignified, and all our interests in the west
| ern hemisphere carefully guarded TIL
| administration has faithfully observed thi
| principle. Alliances and compacts of a.
kinds with foreign nations have bee
avoided.
Question of Self-Interest.
After ALL however. the overwhelming is