The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-12-04

include the upbulding OF Alaska and the
development of American commerce on
the Pacific ocean This exposition, I'm its
purposes and scope, should appeal not
only to the people OF the Pacific slope,
but TO the people OF the United States at
large. Alaska since Il was bought has
yielded 10 the government eleven millions
OF dollars of revenue, and has produced
nearly tharee hundred millions OF dollars
In gold furS, and FISH. When properly
developed II will become I'm large degree
a land of homes The countries border
more numerous than that OF all the
countries OF Europe; their annual foreign
commerce amounts TO over three billions
OF dollars, OF which the share OF the
United States Is some seven hundred mill
lions OF dollars III this trade were thor
oily understood and pushed by our manu-
lecturers and producers. the industries
not only OF the Pacific slope, but Of all
our country, and particularly OF our cot
tor growing states, would be greatly BEN
Gifted. OF course. in order TO get these
benefits. we must treat fairly the coun-
tries with which we trade.
International Morality.
II is a mistake. and II betrays n spirit
OF foolish cynicism, TO maintain that all
international governmental action is, and
must be ever. based upon mere selfish
ness, and that 10 advance ethical reasons
for such action is always a sign OF hy-
pocrisy. This is no more necessarily true
OF the action Of governments than OF the
action OF individuals. II is a sure sign of
a base nature always 10 ascribe base mo-
tives for the actions OF others. Unques-
tionably no nation can afford to disregard
proper considerations OF self-interest, any
more than a private individual can so do.
But IL is equally true that the average pri-
vate individual In any really decent COM
ustfh rafa
ence TO other men in which he is guided,
not by sef-interest but by public spirit
by regard for the rights OF others. by
disinterested purpose TO do good TO 9TH
ers. and 10 raise the tone of the commun-
ity as a whole.
Similarly, a really great nation must
often act, and as a matter Of fact often
does act. toward other nations in a spirit
not in the least OF mere self-interest, but
paying heed chiefly to ethical reasons;
and as the centuries go by this disinter-
estedness In International action. this ten
dency OF the individuals comprizing ma
tior 10 require that nation TO act with JUS
tce toward it's neighbors. steadily grows
and strengthens. IL Is neither wise nor
right for a nation TO disregard its own
needs, and IL lis foolish-and may be WICK
ed-to think that other nations VIII disre-
gard theirs. But is is wicked for ma
tion only to regard its own interest, and
foolish to believe that such is the sole mo-
tive that actuates any other nation. IL
should be our steady aim TO raise the eth
ical standard OF national action just as we
strive TO raise the ethical standard of
individual action.
Not only must we treat all nations fair
ly, but we must treat with justice and
good will all immigrants who come here
under the law. Whether they are Catho-
lie or Protestant Jew or Gentle; wheth-
er they come from England or Germany,
Russia, Japan or Italy, matters nothing.
All we have a right TO question is the
mars conduct If he is honest and up
right in his dealings with his neighbor
and with the state then he Is entitled TO
respect and good treatment. Especially
do we need TO remember our duty TO the
stranger within our gates. II Is the sure
mark OF low civilization, low morality.
TO abuse or discriminate against or in any
way humiliate such stranger who has
como here lawfully and who is conducting
him self properly. To remember this is
I'm cumbent on every American citizen.
and IL is OF course peculiarly incumbent
on every government official, whether of
the nation or Of the several states.
/ am prompted to say this by the atti-
tude OF hostility here and there assumed
toward the Japanese in this country. This
hostility is sporadic and is limited to
very few places. Nevertheless. ii is most
discredtable 10 US as a people. and II
quences TO the nation. The friendship be-
tween the United States and Japan has
been continuous since the time. over half
a century ago. when Commodore Perry,
by his expedition to Japan, first opened
the islands TO Western civilization Since
then the growth of Japan has been liter
ally astounding. There is not only nothing
to parallel it, but nothing to approach it
in the history of civilized mankind. Japan
has n glorious and ancient past Her CIV
ilization Is older than that of the nations
OF northern Europe-the nations from
whom the people of the United States
have chiefly sprung But 80 years ago
Japans development was still that OF the
Middle Ages. During that 30 years the
progress of the country I'm every walk
in life has been a marvel to mankind.
and she now stands as one OF the greatest
of civilized nations; great in the arts of
war and In the arts Of peace: great I'm
military. i'm industrial in artistic develop
ment and achievement. japanese soldiers
and sailors have shown themselves equal
I'm combat TO any OF whom history makes
note.
She has produced great generals and
mighty admirals: her fighting men, afloat
and ashore. show all the heroic courage,
the unquestioning. unfaltering loyalty. the
splendid Indifference to hardship and
death which marked the Loyal Ronns.
and they show also that they possess the
highest ideal Of patriotism. japanese ar
lists of every kind see their products
eagerly sought for i'm all lands. The in
dustrial and commercial development OF
japan has been phenomenal; greater than
that Of any other country during the same
period At the same time the advance I'm
science and philosophy is no less marked.
The admirable management OF the Japa-
nese Red Cross during the late war. the
efficiency and humanity OF the Japanese
officials nurses and doctors, won the re-
sLectful admiration OF all acquainted with