The San Francisco call., 1905-08-18

ing classes of other nations
The higher classes of China, accord
ing to the speaker, are proud Of their
own peculiar civilization, of their phil
osophy and philosophers, of their un-
rivaled antiquity as an independent ma
tion, of their customs, characteristics,
social fabric, homogeneity. vast popu-
lation and great potential wealth; and
that they have not made the same ad
vancement as has Japan in the world S
political development is no sign that it
will not come. He predicts that it is
only question of time. however, be-
fore China, like Japan, will startle the
world with her onward movement
Barrett deprecated the spirit of
patronage, the "holier than thou" atti
tude with which foreigners are wont to
treat the Chinese, instead of sympa-
thetic cooperation. This spirit among
traders, travellers, soldiers and sailors
has had cumulative influence which
has added strength to such movements
as the Chinese boycott. The speaker
minimized the so-called yellow peril,
terming il a boyle" and thinks the
day will come when it may become
yellow blessing"
BRIGHT TRADE FUTURE.
In support of this assertion he called
attention TO the fact that along with
Japan's development she has become
greater purchasing nation. Since
China has commenced to foster her own
interests at the treaty ports her trade
with the United States has grown TO
a value of $4,000. 900 per annum, triple
what * was a decade ago.
1t is illogical, Barrett said. in view of
the example of Japan, to predict that
with the material. social and political
awakening Of China, she will 5ecome
threatening to the welfare and happiness
of the wcrld at large. The crying need
III the development of trade with China
is the increase of her purchasing capa-
clIy. Her international resources and
the country gridironed with railways pro-
vide the Chinese masses with money and
they will purchase correspondingly.
China's foreign trade amounts now to
less than one dollar per capita, Japan's
to seven dollars, although barely twenty
years ago il was no more than is China's.
If China's trade is developed to five dol
lars per capita, we would then have
trade of 5000, 200 900 per annum. To pre-
pare the way for winning our share of
this increase is surely worth our best ef-
forts. Marvellous growth, of the Oriental
and Pacific trade of this country, now
amounting 10 1886, 600 900, was pointed out.
particular stress being laid upon the fact
that our exports TO China are double our
imports. The speaker advised his hear
ers that harsh measures may tend to in
jure such a mighty traffic. Barrett did
not discuss the merits or demerits of. the
Chinese exclusion law.
So far as the Japanese are concerned,
he believes that the demand for, labor in
Japan, Korea, Manchuria, Saghalien and
Formosa together with the loss of able
bodied Japanese In battle will follow the
ending of the war, and that for~years to
come there will be only an inconsiderable
proportion that viii seek entrance into
the United States
AS to the Chinese, he asserts, the num-
Der of coolies who might wish to enter
our borders is controlled to a great ex-
tent by powerful guilds, which are inter-
ested in seeing that the supply of cool
les in America shall not exceed the legit-
innate demand. Furthermore, said. he,
with China's increased development there
viii be demand at home for laborers and
the Chinese known preference for his own
land will help to limit emigration TO this
country.
WANTS YELLOW OPPORTUNITY.
Another aspect of the Oriental subject
was treated by F. B. Thurber of New
York City, president of the United States
Export Association, who spoke on Flu
ture Markets in the Orient" In part he
said:
Our foreign policy should favor "the open
door and 10 get this we should make reason
able concessions IN our tariff policy, through
reciprocity otherwise
As minor means 10 this end systematic
our consular service on basis OF permanency,
promotion and adequate compensation. We
have superior talent in our consular service
as a whole, but it is dwarfed and discouraged
by the lack of these prime requisites.
Revise our treaties with Oriental countries
80 that while protecting American labor
against the yellow peril" it will give both
american labor and American capital the
yellow opportunity TO supply $50 600 COO Of
Asiaties with what they< want to buy and
what we want to sell In other words don't
let the unreasoning fears of American trades
unionism insult the educated Asatcs who
come 70 trade with US or study with US, even
II a few coolies" do get in under false pre-
lenses. believe in the dignity of peaceful
American labor and that American capital
should assist in maintaining it. but 1 also be-
heve that yellow journalism. which seeks
TO play upon the prejudices and fears of or
ganized labor. is greater peril than either
Eastern or Western immigration
STATE AID FOR SHIPPING.
When Thurber concluded, the order of
business was changed and the introduc-
ton Of resolutions took place. Most i'm
portant among these were those indors-
ing statehood for New Mexico, reclama-
ton of arid lands, advocating a merchant
marine and the establishing of a depart
ment Of mines and mining The next
speaker was George w. Dickie of the
Union Iron Works, San Francisco His
topic was the merchant marine.
Dickie, while admitting that a naval
power, both commercial and military is
not perhaps an absolute necessity main
tanned that the history and progress of
this country demonstrates that in certain
stages of development 1t is desirable
thing He advocated Government aid to
ship building and concluded:
Besides the aid that must come from national
legislation, have always maintained that the
sea bordered States will be forced to apply
State legislation to the upbuilding OF their
own shipping interests. The State can foster
just as effectively as the nation, as the bene-
fits to be derived from large shipping interests
will center in the ship owning and ship build
ihg States. For instance. to every ship built
and owned in the State in which she is
rolled the harbors Of the State ought to be
free, and all shipping property, when engaged
in interstate or foreign commerce, should be
relieved Of ell State or municipal taxes Some
States have done this, to limited extent and
these States own whatever ocean trade this
country possesses to-day. The eyes of the peo-
pie Of this country are being opened to the Inn
portance Of naval power. both in military and
commercial sense; also to the future position
we destined to occupy among the great