Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-01

its hand to the task, and, apparently, in
superable obstacles will fast disappear.
No doubt, when the next worlds exposition
is held, one of the great achievements then
to be noted will be the Panama canal.
bearing the peaceful commerce of the world
under the protection of the flag of the great
republic. 1t will be in a very special sense
a mighty contribution to the civilization
and welfare of all mankind. 1t will bring
Portland and the Pacific coast into closer
relations with the Atlantic seaboard and
the markets of Europe. More than eight
thousand miles will be saved in the transit
and interchange Of the products of our
eastern and western coasts. fresh i'm
pulse will be given to commerce, which Will
be of widespread and wholesome influence.
We shall be joint sharers in the increased
development, but you VIII be the larger
beneficiary.
At the north is Alaska, a territory pos
sessing vast present and future commercial
possibilities, secured to us by far-reaching
craftsmanship, and her integrity preserved
by enlightened and courageous diplomacy.
We must have vigilant care for our In
creasing interests in the orient. We must
cultivate relations of amity with the mil
Mons who dwell beyond the Pacific. There
lies a field of vast trade which We have
long desired to possess, and which we have
but slowly and inadequately gained. Our
foothold is steadily increasing, and If we
are but true to our opportunities 1t will be
UNNECESSARILY enlarged to the advantage
of the entire country. If We would have
the trade of the peoples of the far east we
must first have their confidence Moreover.
we must suit our commodities to the needs
of those with whom we would traffic; we
must study their tastes and their whims
and minister unto them. While our goods
may suit us, they may not be adapted TO
the requirements or satisfy the desires of
people in other countries.
The tragic events which are transpiring
In the orient are deeply deplored by every
lover of peace and humanity the world
over. The mighty and bloody conflict had
it's inception in a desire for commercial
conquest.
American Agencies of Peace.
The American people were not Indifferent
to their own interests, and early in the
struggle made sure of the preservation of
their commercial advantages in the very
theater Of war. Our trade interests are to
be pushed in that far-off country. not by
the instruments of battle, but through the
potent agencies of peace. We are destined
to play more important part than here
tofore in the commerce in and beyond the
Pacific. We must not underrate the COM
mercial opportunities which invite us to
the orient.
kets we must have care that we do not
lose sight of the fact that our greatest and
our surest market is at home and that TO
jeopardize 1t In a desire to possess uncertain
allen markets would be the part of mex
pressible folly While we look for the ex-
pansion of our trade throughout the world
we should beware that we do not yield our
hold upon that home production, which
from every Just consideration, belongs to
American labor and American capital.
You have accomplished much since the
first permanent settlement appeared upon