The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1906-12-14

her competitors. Within a few weeks
two items of significant interest have
appeared in the newspapers. One wa:
preliminary legal steps taken by Uni
ted States authorities for the acquisi-
ton of land on Waikiki beach for for
LITIGATION purposes. The papers in the
case state that 1.-The rapid development
of commerce on the Pacific Ocean, and
as we'll as of Honolulu" is the cause
for the condemnation proceedings.
The other was an interview with a
British statesman.
In the not distant future, he declar-
ed, questions would arise in the Pacific
affecting the policy of the United
States, Japan and England.
The real question raised by the out
come of the Russo-Japanese war, he
declared, was not one of indemnity or
territorial occupation, but who is to
rule the Pacific?'' He quoted President
Roosevelt as having asserted that the
United States intended to rule there,
ditures planned by the United States,
planned" he declard. "to make the
American navy equal to the task set
for it by the President" There may
come a time. and probably WILL the
British statesman continued, when
England's interests will cease to be
Identical with those of the two powers
Japan and the United States-whose
naval bases are in the Pacific. No one
believes that the Angle-Japanese alli-
ance will last forever, and Great Bril-
tain must prepare for the day when
she will be called upon to defend her
interests in the Pacific
Why is the Pacific destined to be the
theater of the coming world struggle
for supremacy? one may ask. Simply
because the Atlantic and its environ
ments have practically been preempt-
ed. Upon the Atlantic, America has been
defeated in the commercial race The
carrying trade of this ocean is almost
completely in the hands of Europe.
With this advantage upon which to
start, England, Germany and other
powers across the sea are establishing
commercial supremacy in every cline
Trade is the life-blood of any nation.
Without it, national existence becomes
moribund. Coming wars will be for the
and extension of CONNER
cial opportunities. Possibilities of the
future lie in the Pacific and the Orient.
Far Western Canada is becoming
Populous and important. Englands
Asiatic interests in Hongkong and
Singapore are expanding; Australia,
New Zealand and the Fiji Islands are
extending their trade relations with
the remainder of the world. France
has an increasing interest in the Far
EaSt-in Madagascar, Siam, 1ndo-Ch1- !
ma and New Caledonia-and yet France
is not satisfied. Her manufacturing
interests at home are constantly de- :
new fields for outlet.
Germany, perhaps. will become one
IF the most aggressive aspirants for
Oriental trade and for a commanding
position upon the Pacific. She has al
.eady acquired the Bismarck and Mar
shall archfpelagos, German New
Guinea. the Caroline islands and other
erritory 1t was a great disappoint-
l2ent to her that the Philippines slipped
rom her itching grasp. Hollands rich
possessions in Sumatra, Java and Bor-
,eo may not always be hers, but may l.
,e wrested from her by stronger
,ower No one imagines that Russia
emporary setback will diminish her
ppetite fer Oriental control. nor that
apan will long be content in the mas
erv of her comparatively limited ter
itory. All this new alignment of ma
ions along the strategic outposts or
ommerce tend, in the words of John I
/. Proctor. ito change the front of the
,orld and to transfer to the Pacific
be national activities which for CEN
urfes have made the Atlantic the
Gene of stirring events.
Upon the great Western ocean, then. | :
ne United states starts out abreast.
not in advance. of her competitors. {
he has in the first place, a chain
f stepping stones from her own shores
} the Far East, in the Hawaiian Is I
lnds. Guam and the Philippines. Her {
iplomacy has opened the markets of
lie Orient, and she has created a wide