The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-12-25
ROOSEVELT AND THE FAR EAST.

ROOSEVELT AND THE FAR EAST.
Rather than waste words upon Roosevelt in Pana-
ma it were better to watch his far Eastern policy
closely. II he gets us mixed up in that hotbed Of
strife 1t will be time for the country to express an
opinion and express it forcbly.
The Caribbean the Isthmus the American CONT
nent; here is our natural sphere and here may
well strive to hold the paramount influence. AS the
unfortunate result of the Spanish war, the Philip
pines were saddled upon us, circumstance which
means that we must defend Hawaii and maintain
Pacific naval stations. Happily, the Philippines
are isolated and line around them can be drawn.
We can say: 'Thus far we co. not one inch farther.
1t would be far better If could sell get rid of
the Philippines in some fashion. STILL this being
inpracticable the rule must be hard and fast that
with those former island possessions of Spain ends
our vested responsibilities.
1t seems that our exact relations with Korea and
China are somewhat misty. Some negotiations are
on as to opening Korean port and as to the ap-
proval Of the commercial treaty with China. That
is the substance of the situation.
We are after all can legitimately get in bust
ness openings, but we may not commit the nation in
such manner to involve in the grinding process
which inevitably will occur before Japan, Russia,
Germany and England find out just how much of
the Chinese Empire they can appropriate. A few
commercial interests and some of the more insstent
missionaries are pushing us along. But they must
be regarded as distinctly minor factors in our
foreign policy.
Our Uncle Sam is very stalwart Individual but
he must be free to lie back occasionally in his extern
sive granaries and take rest and nourshment and
devote his chief attention at all times to matters
pertaining to his half of the world. China and
Japan would very gladly concede him so much that
he would be driven to take part in case the storm
bursts They know his natural trend toward the
right and know that If he did roll up his sleeves
and start in to do battle he would not be utterly
blind to their interests are the others. But
Uncle Sam has no business doing the heroic fight
Ing fruitess fights In strange corner of the globe
while his good citizens at home pay the bills in
blood and gold.
Reosevelt's impetuosity undoubtedly makes him
an unsafe man. Upon an unconfrmed report he
sent battleships to whoop things up in Turkey, and
he acted with unnecessary haste over Panama.
Now he has some dickens on with Korea and China.
In connection with which a single rash move, a
single impolitc step would entange us in the most
dangerous mess Of contemporary world politics.
To nine hundred and ninty out of every
thousand citizens of the United States the entire
Asatic commerce Is not worth an American life.
duty of taking arms in defense of interests and
prestige on the American Continent, but no logic
requires us to do the like all over the earth. In
any cause which truly involved our principles and
sympathies and which brought foreign attack, we
could lick the whole Of Europe. Otherwise-well,
It is not worth our while.