The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1905-02-25
THE FAR EAST AND G0TT0
Result of the Russia-Japan War of Vital
Importance 10 the South and the

Result of the Russia-Japan War of Vita
Importance 70 the South and the
Country Generally.
New Orleans Picayune. Feb. 19.
There was held IN Washington yes
terday a conference between certain
weli-known local cotton men, with
John NJ. Parker at the head, and q
number of cotton mill men and per.
sons interested il the development Of
trade with the Orient, for the purpose
of drafting an address TO be presented
to President Roosevelt, on the subject
OF the development Of q larger market
for cotton goods in China and the Far
East generally. After thorough dis
cussion of the subject an address was
formulated, which naturally will not
be made public until it is actually pre-
sented to the president at an audience
on Monday.
t was the concensus Of opinion OF
the conference that II the teeming
masses of China and the east gener-
ally could be made 10 utilize cotton
goods to the extent they are used
in most civilized countries, a demand
would be opened up for vast amount
Of cotton and cotton goods, and would
afford market for millions of bales
more of raw cotton than there is now
market for. Just what suggestions
the conference will make to the presi-
dent as to the best means of building
up trade in cotton goods with the
Orient can only be known after the
address is presented Monday, but the
conference was naturally aware that
this one question of trade with China
and the Far East is the very matter
now at issue in the war between Rus
STA and Japan.
In order that the great markets of
China may be opened up to trade with
US In cotton goods, Russian influence
in that part of the world will have to
be overturned. Russia s acquisition OF
Manchuria promptly closed that part
of China to general trade, and had
she been permitted to acquire Corea,
as was her immediate purpose. and
afterwards the whole of north China,
she would without the least doubt
have reserved these vast markets ex-
clusively for Russian trade. On the
other hand, Japan claims to be con-
tending for the freedom of trade with
the entire east, and her victory over
Russia would mean the open door to
the whole of China and the Far East
generally TO the trade OF the world.
There can be no doubling for mo-
ment upon which side OF this tremen-
doas controversy American interests,
and particularly southern interests, lie.
Our government has taken decided
stand in favor of the open door, and
has sought to have all other powers
subscribe to that doctrine. While
all have done so, some, and especially
Russia, have indicated by their acts
that they were actually far from favor
ing the open door, but, on the CON
trary, were preparing secretly to dis
member China. and to secure for them
selves a monopoly of the trade in their
own respective spheres OF influence.
This question OF the open door must
soon be thoroughly thrashed out when
terms of peace are made at the con-
clusion Of the present war in the east,
an event which appears TO be fast APP
preaching. Japan's victory means the
preservation of the integrity of China
and the throwing open TO the world,
without restriction of trade, Of that
vast empire and the neighboring states
and dependencies. That will be the
logical solution Of the question which
Japan will bring about If left to settle
her differences with Russia without in
reference. There is grave danger,
however, that the selfish interests of
some OF the European powers will lead
to interference. That an attempt to
rob Japan OF the fruits of her victory
will be made there is little doubt, and
that such attempts will be in the direc-
ton of acquiring more or less in
auence over portions of China is
equally certain. III the advocates OF
the open door desire TO see their policy
they will have to lend all pos
sible moral assistance to Japan DUR
Ing the time the terms of peace are
being arranged. Ii President Roose-
Velt and his government desire to help
The cotton trade of the country, let
him reiterate emphatically his stand
or the open door and use every means
n his power to thwart selfish efforts
20 turn the Japanese victory into
barren achievement as far as Japan
and the worlds trade are concerned.
While this country has preserved
he strictest neutr atty during the war,
md will continue TO maintain that po-
,ition TO the end, it cannot afford to
De Indifferent on the subject of the fu-
ure of China. The trade of the vast
Ind teeming population of that coun-
~ is essential to the full development
If this country's commercial POSSIBLE |
ties, hence our government cannot az |
ord to view without concern any at
empt on the part of certain European
,oWers TO unduly influence the settle
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