The La Jara chronicle., 1908-10-30
WILLIAM H. TAFT AND
PACIFIC COMMERCE
The Constructive Genius of Our
Oriental Trade-Empire.
Carried the Torch of Civilization to
Antipodes-Made Secure Our
Far Eastern Commercial
Supremacy.

During the past ten years, under a
constructive Republican policy, the
United States has assumed a position
III the Pacific Ocean which is destined
TO give her the bulk of the vast com
merce OF the countries situated on the
greatest body of water on the globe.
Some of the things accomplished by
the party of enlightened freedom and
patriotism have been: The securing
of the open door in China the preser-
vation Of the integrity OF the Chinese
Empire; the acquisition OF the Philip
pines the establishment of coaline sta
tions across the Pacific and finally the
transfer of the American fleet of bat
tleships from the Atlantic to the Pact
fic to modestly remind the Oriental na-
tions that. having assumed the posi-
tion of a world power in the Pacific,
we are prepared to maintain it against
all comers
America and Jnpnn In Pacific.
Two wars have caused the whole
world to realize that the Pacific Ocean
is to be the scene Of the greatest hu-
man activities in the future The war
Of the United States with Spall gave
us possessions which bring us within
speaking distance of Asia. and tie
Russo-Japa1 ese war revealed Japan to
the world rs n powerful and progress
slve nation. whose future sphere O. ac-
tion would of necessity be within the
boundaries OF the ocean separating
America from the Orient
Tnft n Constructive Stntesmnn.
The Honorable William II. Taft has
been one of the chief advisers and
strongest advocates of the Republican
administration policy during this for
native and historic period. He has
been a pioneer, not only along the lines
Of statecrdft. which have had for their
object the development OF our western
states but he has given particular at
teutiou 10 the situation in the Orient
with reference TO the future commerce
between those far away countries and
the Pacific coast or America.
In his own inimtnble way and unit
ing a unique personality with the high
oil on the troubled waters in japan
and changed the political storm there
raging. into "A placid sunshine of peace.
In China he created such enthusiasm
as the Orientnls have never shown TO
any other visitor and left TINT empire
with the belief on their part that the
United States is not only ready to en-
ter into commercial reciprocity. but to
still stand as China's friend and lend
It's Influence 10 see that she gets jus
tice from those who would violate her
territorial integrity.
Taft and Oriental Trade.
In his Shanghai speech. addressing
body of Influential merchants. diplo-
mats and Chinese government ofirinis.
Mr.. Taft spoke in part rs follows:
1--WE do not complain of loss of trade
that results from the employment ~
great enterprise. ingenuity or attention
to the demands of the Chinese market.
or the greater business acumen shown
by our competitors. We would have
the right to protest at being secluded
from the trade of China by reason OF
our insistenre Of the policy of the
Open Door. The acQuiesceuce In this
policy Of all the nations Interested has
been so unhesitating and emphatic
that II is hardly worth while to specn-
late npon the probable action of the
United States in case the interests of
American merchants are placed in ieop-
ardy. and how far the United States
would go I'm the protection of its Chi
nese trade, | cannot say. 1t is clear.
however. that our merchants nre being
reused to the Importance of the Chi
nese trade and they would view with
deep concern any and all political OBJ
stacles which menace that expansion
This feeling is likely to find express
sion in the action of the American gov
ernment. The United States and the
other powers favor the open door. and
II they are wise they will encourage
the Empire TO take long steps in ad-
and governmental reform.
the development of the resources of
China. and the Improvement Of the vel
fare Of the people. To do this would
add TO Chlna's strength and position
as self-respecting government and aid
her In preparing to resist possible for
eign aggression in the seeking Of undue
and exclusive proprietary privileges
Thus no foreign aid will be required
to enforce the open door and the policy
of equal opportunity for all"
History Making Happenings.
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