New-York tribune., 1901-10-23
OUR FLAG ON THE PACIFIC.

1.-The ocean of the future" the Pacific has
thoughtfully been called. Nor, indeed, does 1t
require an exceptional amount of prescience to
discern that the shores of that empires
destined soon TO play immeasurably great parts
in the commercial drama of the race. Time was
when 1.-The Great Sea- was the Mediterranean,
and all the nations of the known world were
grouped about its shores. 1t was not until long
after the Christian era had begun that the At
lantic Ocean began to figure practically In the
affairs of nations. For the last four centuries
it has been pre-eminently the great sea of the
world. Not until about one hundred years ago
did the Indian Ocean and the Pacific begin ser-
ously TO be cultivated by the ploughshares OF
commerce. But to-day the last named, while
not the greatest in commerce, is the foremost
of all in rivalry and interest, while in CONNER
cial potency it overshadows all the world.
1t is an auspicious and gratifying fact that
our own country occupies upon that ocean of
the future the assured position of advantage
One other nation. it is true, closest kin, has,
like us. frontage upon both shores and islands
In mid sea- But neither in America nor in Asia
is the British Pacific frontage comparable with
ours, nor do the British insular possessions
form so complete transoceanic chain. And no
other non-Asiatic nation has any important
footing upon Pacific shores. In these circum-
stances II is natural that our Pacific commerce
should be increasing. 1t would be strange and
most discredtable If IL were not. AS matter OF
statistical fact, our Pacific commerce is grow
ing more than twice as rapidly that of our
Atlantic and Gulf ports. In the last five years
II has fully doubled, and unless Russian spolia-
ton Of China shuts and bars against US too
many doors It seems likely to keep on increas-
ing at such a rate or even at greater rate.
We have said that only one non-Asiatic power
is in a position seriously to compete with us
upon the Pacific. But there Is one Asiauc
power capable of doing so, though happily II is
power whose relations with the United States
are conspicuousy friendly. The development
Of Japanese commerce is one OF the wonders
OF the world Practically II began on civilized
lines in 1872. At that time Japan had ninetysix
merchant steamers OF an aggregate tonnage OF
less than "a 600 Not OF them sea
worthy or was able to venture away from the
coast In 1900 Japan had SAG steamers OF more
than 52S. 900 tons, most OF them modern vessels
OF the finest type Since 1872 japanese COM
merce has had practically constant increase,
until now, In eighteen years, a net increase OF
more than 4,617 per cent is recorded. That is
not, of course, all transpacihc commerce. But
a nation which. starting from secluson and
barbarism at a date still within the memory
OF men not yet superannuated, has now de-
veloped foreign commerce of more than $3.50
100000 a year is certainly a factor greatly to
be reckoned with.
The United States, Great Britain and Japan
are the three great commercial powers Of the
Pacific. or the three by far the greatest natu-
raj advantages and opportunities lie with the
United States. But advantage and opportunity
are benefcent only as they are improved. The
multiplication of transcontinental lines, the
opening of a transisthmian waterway the span
ming of the Pacific with American cable and
the great increase of the American mercantile
marine on those waters-these together with
wise policy which will improve our foothold in
Asia and keep open the doors of all China TO
our trade, are the measures by which our op
portunities are to be improved and our Pacific
commerce made and kept the greatest of all.