The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1908-10-14
its influence to see that she gets JUS
tice from those who would violate ner
territorial integrity.
Taft and Oriental Trade.

tice from those who would violate her
territorial integrity.
Taft and Oriental Trade.
In his Shanghai speech. addressing
4 body Of influential merchants. diplo-
mats and Chinese government officials.
Mr. Taft spoke In part as follows:
I've do not complain of loss OF trade
that results from the employment OF
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 insistence Of the policy Of the
Open Door, The acQuiescence In this
policy Of all the nations interested has
been SO unhesitating and emphatic
that II Is hardly worth while to specu-
late upon the probable action Of the
United States in case the interests OF
American merchants are placed In jeoI''
ardy. and how far the United States
would go in the protection Of its Chi
nese trade. l cannot say. 1t is clear.
however. that our merchants are 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.
.'rhis feeling Is likely t. 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-
ministrativc and governmental reform
the development Of the resources OF
China. and the Improvement Of the wei
fare Of the people. To do this would
add to China's strength and position
rs a self-respecting government and aid
her in preparing to resist possible for
cigu 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.
During recent Republican administra-
tions we have built up an export trade
with the Far East Of something like
sl5OOOO. GOO per year We have landed
nm army on Chinese territory. and have
been drawn willy-nilly into the vortex
Of the Far Eastern question. During
the period policies have been formulated
which have compelled us to take hand
IN inomeRtous negotiations. We have
definitely enrolled the Far East among
the objects of our commercial and diplo-
matte Solicitude Things have changed
much during this ten years Of Republi-
can rule.
The United States has come into pos.
session Of the Philippines and all the
political and strategical responsibilities
entailed by this movement. The partici'
patton in. and suppression OF. the Boxer
rebellion. the expanding recognition OF
the supreme importance to the future
of American trade. Of the open door. the
realization that. with the exception OF
Japan. no country IL SO we'll situated
| as the United States. industrially and
geographically. to make the most and
the best of the development Of China
These and other events have trans
formed American indifference to the
fortunes Of the Far East into a real
live. tineling and vigilant concern.