Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1909-01-14
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. .A

During the past ten years, under a
constructive Republican policy, the
United Sta es 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
walton of the integrity of the Chinese
Empire; the acquisition of the Philip
pines the adjustment of coaling sta
tons across the Pacific and finally the
transfer OF the American fleet of bat
tleships from the Atlantic to the Paci-
fic TO modestly remind the Oriental ma
tions that, having assumed the posi-
tion OF a world power in the Pacific,
we are prepared 10 maintain it against
all corners.
America and Japan In Pacific.
Two wars have caused the whole
world TO realize that the Pacific Ocean
is TO be the scene Of the greatest hui
man activities in the future. The war
Of the United States with Spain gave
us possessions which bring rs within
speaking distance OF Asia. and the
Russo-Japanese war revealed Japan 10
the world as powerful and progress
siye nation, whose future sphere "a ac-
ton would of necessity he within the
boundaries OF the ocean separating
America from the Orient.
Taft = Constructive Statesman.
The Honorable William IL. 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 pioneer, not only along the lines
OF statecrsft, which have had for their
object the development of our western
states, but he has given particular at
tention to the situation in the Orient
with reference TO the future commerce
between those far away countries and
the Pacific coast Of America.
In his own inimitable way and unit
ing unique personality with the high
est authority as a diplomat, he poured
oil on the troubled waters in Japan
and changed the political storm there
raging, into placid sunshine of peace.
In China he created such enthusiasm
as the Orientals have never shown to
any other visitor and left that 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 to 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 officials,
Mr.. Taft spoke in part as follows:
"We do not complain of loss of trade
that results from the employment Of
great enterprise. ingenuity or attention
10 the demands Of the Chinese market,
or the greater business acnmcn shown
by our competitors. We would have
the right &, protest at being secluded
from the trade of China by reason Of
our insistence or the policy OF the
Open Door. The acquiescence in this
policy of all the nations Interested has
heen SO unhesitating aud emphatic
that II is hardly worth while 10 specu-
late upon the probable action of the
United States In ease the interests Of
American merchants are placed in ieop-
ardy' and how far the United States
would go IN the protection OF its Chi
ntse trade, cannot say. Ii Is clear.
however, that our merchants are being
reused 10 the Importance OF the Chi
nese trade and they would view with
deep concern any and All political oh.
stacles which menace that expansion.
This feeling Is likely 10 find express
sion In the acficn Of the American gov
ernment. The United states and The
other powers favnr the open door. ard
II they are wise they will encourage
the Empire TO take long steps IN adj
miRlstratlve and governmental reform.
shs dssslasnns.Df OF the resources ~