The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-05-11
THE AUSTRALIAN COMMUNICATES.

THE AUSTRALIAN COMMONWEALTH
The opening of the parliament of the
new colonial republic of Australia in
PRODUCES into the world problem of ma
lions another factor which must be reck-
oned with in all diplomatic and com
mercial calculations. WaiIe theoretically
part of the British empire. it is as
distinctly nation as many of the
European powers. The future of Aus
tralia is destined to be as great as its
past has been wonderful. The new com
monwealth is in possession Of CONT
nent in which all of Euro, e, except Rus
STA, could be placed and still leave room
for a sood-sized empire. This compact
continent affords all the natural re-
sources that modern civilization de-
mands. While it boasts of being the
biggest thing south of the equator, it
Is also the farthest place from any
where. It is world in itself, possessing
a superb isolation which will remain
forever a verltable Gibraltar of national
defense.
Nor are the climate and the natural
resources Of Australia its only attrac-
tons. 1t is fortunate in the possession
of a people which have for years led the
world in social and political reforms.
There the science of human government
has reached its highest perfection. It
may be that the climate and the sur
roundings are conducive to right think
ing and right living, but it NAV be reas-
onably inferred that the present high
degree cf political evolution has been the
result f,the two great examples which
Australia has had as models. For she
has taken the best of both England and
America from which to build her poft-
zeal temple
The ceremonies attending the opening
Of the new parliament were in every way
betting the birth of a republic. While
allegiance is sworn to the British crown.
the only link which binds this candidate
for national honors to the mother coun-
try is d governor general-in all things
else it is republic Of the most advanced
type
What interest has the United States in
the birth of this commonwealth? Meth
ing politically, but much commercially
We say nothing politically. This Is hard
ly true, as Australia is one of our nearest
neighbors when we consider the Philip
pines. And as neighbor we are interest
ed in the success of many economic .ex-
periments which if successful we might
do We'll to copy. 1t is, however, in n
commercial way that the average Ameri-
can citizen is interested in Australia
Nearer by several thousand miles to the
United States than it is to England, this
English-speaking country is by nature
tributary, in commercial sense. to the
American republic. If properly handled
the commerce of the Pacific, including
that of Japan, China, the Philippines.
Siberia and Australia will surpass that
now covering the Atlantic. To the west
we are now beholding the dawn of a new
era. The march of civilization. over
to the west, has crossed the Pacific and
Is now gathering about the cradle of its
infancy. In the very gateway of this
progress to the orient by the way of the
occident sits the United States. win 1t
rise to the level of It's destiny and seize
these golden opportunities? Will the
American flag in the near future be seen
floating over steamship lines to Sydney
and Melbourne, as well as Manila and
Toxic. and Shanghai and Port Arthur?
Here is an opportunity for the subsidy
statesmen to magnify their genius. It
is to these fields of new enterprise thai
new lines of ships should be establish
ed if government money is to be employ
ed Following the lines of least resist
anee, the new commonwealth of Austria
liza should afford the most available mar
ket for American produce.