Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-10

was done to the Japanese vessels and no
lives were lost.
Especial attention is directed by Minister
Takahira to the fact that the first overt
act Of hostility In the present war was
committed. as he claims is shown by the
dispatch from which the above statement
was taken by the Korietz firing upon the
Japanese vessels on the evening of the 9Th
instant.
Interest at the Capitol.
Considerable interest in the far eastern
situation was manifested at the Capitol
today among senators and representatives,.
War bulletins were in demand and the
press associations supplied the senators
and representatives with the news. The
members of the foreign affairs committees.
of the two houses took more than ordi-
nary interest in the news, and were par.
ticularly anxious to be advised of the steps
being taken by this government In the
premises.
Expressions of commentator of the re-
ported attitude of the administration IN
regard to maintaining strict neutrality
were general.
Representative Adams of Pennsylvania,
a member OF the foreign affairs committee.
and the former minister to Brazil. talked
Interestingly with a Star reporter this
afternoon about the eastern situation.
For This Country.
There is nothing for the United States
to do" he said. except to maintain the
strictest neutrality and at the same time
keep a sharp lookout for our own interests
in the orient. Our interests can be summed
up in the words open door, We must see
to it that we have the same opportunities
for advancing our commerce in China as
other nations of the globe. Give us the
open door and we will do the rest.
m IJ rd
that the future of the United States lay in
the Pacific ocean. That prophecy is coming
true. We held the Philippines for the ex-
press purpose of making the islands
commercial outpost for the extension of
our commerce in the far east, and to es-
tablish a naval base from which to con-
duet such operations as might be necessary
to protect our constantly increasing trade.
China is the one great market on the
face of the globe which has not been d.
vided up among the commercial nations.
China has population of 4O00OO,OOO sufh-
GENTLY advanced In civilization to use our
products. 1t is not like India with back
ward and impoverished people, who must
be educated to trade. The Chinese wear
our cotton clothes. use our electrical appli-
ances and provide market for railroad
material and machinery.
cit will be unfortunate for Japan, how
ever, il the preparations of the great pow
ers to preserve the integrity of China should
result in preventing Japan from enjoying the
fruits of any victory which she might win,
assuming that she should win in the war
with Russia. When Japan whipped China
she was not allowed to profit as she had
expected to as the result of the victory
Russia and England both got more in ac-
tual advantage than did Japan. 1t would
be hard fate indeed If Japan should carry
the war to a successful end and still come
Off empty-handed.
Our First Consideration.
but still. our first consideration is to
conserve the policy of the open door in Chi
ma and either take the initiative or join
other nations in any steps necessary to pre-
serve the integrity Of the Chinese empire.
1.-THE American people are just beginning
to awaken to the possibilities of extending
their foreign commerce. For a long time
our capital was so busily employed at home
where it could be turned over every sixty
or ninety days that we could not afford to
branch out in search of foreign trade re-
quiring the giving of long credits. We, in
a sense neglected the opportunities which
abound upon our own southern continent.
James G. Blaine saw them fifteen or TWEEN
ty years ago and sent out commercial
scouts. so to speak, to survey the field. l
myself went on diplomatic mission which
was in fact more commercial one and re-
ported upon trade conditions to the State
Department AT that time the necessity for
granting long credits to South Americans
stood as a bar to the development of our
commerce. Another obstacle was the fact
that we did not have adequate transporta-
ton lines.
1.-The French and Germans have been
quick to seize their oppor tunities in this re-
spect They have subsidized steamship
lines to South America and are rapidly abb
sorbing the trade of the continent. The
United States buys more of BraziIs coffee
than any other nation, but Brazil does not
buy from US as she does from France and
Germany. The European nations with ex-
cess of capital seeking investment can af-
ford to give long credits and have subsi-
died steamship lines to forward CONNER
cial intercourse"
Officials Going to the Orient.
Mr.. J. NJ. Ferguson the second secretary
of the American legation at Tokyo who has
been IN this country on leave of absence,
most of which he spent at his home in
Pittsburg. called at the State Department
today to take leave of the officials. He
sails from Vancouver February 22 for Yo-
kohama, whence ne will proceed at once to
his post. Mr.. Ferguson had long con-
ference with Secretary Hay on the far
eastern situation. He carries personal in
structons for the officials of the legation
at Tokyo. 1t is the wish of the depart
ment that the State Department be kept
fully informed of every move and full re-
ports are desired from Toyko. Mr. Fergu-
son was also fully acquainted with the pol
icy of Secretary Hay announced in his note
to the powers calling for the neutrality of
China
Upon his arrival at Tokyo he will be in a
position to advise Minister Griscom per-
s0nally of the Secretary's wishes Mr.. Fer
guson has known all along of the thorough
training of the Japanese navy, and tie
news of its several victories was not sur
prising to him. He reports that the ships
and men Of the mikado's fleet are in ex-
cellent shape
On the same steamer with Mr.. Ferguson
goes Mr.. James w. Davidson, the newly
appointed American consul at Antung.
Mr. Edwin V. Morgan, who goes as con-
sui general at Dalny, sails February q
from San Francisco on the steamship
China. He leaves Washington Saturday.
To Observe Operations.
Rear Admiral French E. Chadwick,
president of the naval war college, had a
conference with Secretary Hay today about
the arrangements for observing the opera
tons of the Japanese-Russian war The
navy Is anxious TO CLEAN all the informa-
ton on the subject possible, but in view of
the policy of complete neutrality which
this government has adopted there is a
hesitancy about sending any ships into the
scene of action lest their presence there
might furnish announcement to one of the
combatants.
Rear Admiral Evans cables the Navy
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