The National tribune., 1909-11-04

ananciers invaded the Island. took up
all the good things in sight in Havana,
and extended their operations over the
Island There was American capital
3n Cuba before that time, but there mas
been a new and very successful 1nva-
sion It was, of course, selfish IN
invasion, but no more so than financial
ventures usually are, and, on the whole
has undoubtedly been q good thing for
Cuba and the Cubans. The work mas
only been well begun in South America.
The field there is very large, compris-
ing now half dozen countries Where,
in the opinion of New York men OF
means, investments are safe. This does
not include the more revolutionary
countries, where good government mas
been making little progress:
Russian and Japanese Influences.
Behind the scenes there have been
many movements from the State De-
partment to encourage the investment
OF American capital because il leads to
commercial relations with the United
States and in the long run develops
trade and international friendship
But public officials who recognize the
fnanciers engaged upon such cam
paigns run risks of complications and
apparently that is what may have hap
pened with reference to China When
ever rival interests get into the field
they fight one another with great en-
ergy and rival interests seem to be
looking over into Manchuria as sort
OF promised land.
Many American firms have dealings
with Russia, Japan and other Asiatic
countries. AS Japan is intent upon
exploiting NIanchuria, her diplomats
are watching carefully the inclinatlons
and associations of Americans, desig-
mated for places of influence in China.
They do not want any Americans with
Russians propensities, and this is said
to have played some part in the disad-
vantage of Mr.. Crane The Chicago
firm with which Mr.. Crane Is identi-
fed has business interests in Russia,
including an elevator factory.
This came to the knowledge of As
sistant Secretary of State Huntington
Wilson. He is pro-Japanese. As the
story goes, Mr.. Wilson was not at all
friendly to Mr.. Crane on that account,
and helped him to the foot of the hill.
So much to-do has already been
made and the agitation continues so
aggressively that it has embarrassed
the Administration in its Oriental pro-
gram of build ng up trade and amicable
relations. This is one of President
Taft's cherished plans. as has often
been pointed out. While there is moth
dng inherently discreditable in the dis
missal of Minister to China, it en-
courages critical conversation that
lends itself to the plans of opponents.
They can turn and twist such things
to their advantage.
Secretary Knox has been mostly at
Valley Forge, Pa, since he talked
with Mr.. Crane and decided to accept
his resignation. He has been in Wash
ington but once since, and then only
for few hours. He has abstained abb
solutely from comment about the case
and has insisted upon regarding it as
a closed incident. Nevertheless the
Secretary is far from pleased at the
trend and force of the agitation. There
will be conferences about it when Pres
ident Taft returns. Secretary Knox
did not act solely upon his own re-
Sponsbiiity, for he consulted with the
President at every stage of the pro-
ceedings. But he and the President
are now aware that they are to be the
targets of organized attacks from the
Chicago coterie of prominent Repub-
1icans and, not improbably, will feel
compelled sooner or later to meet those
attacks There will be Congressman to
take notice of the agitation. It has
reached such head that orators will
utilize it in general remarks on appro-
priation bills. Democrats will regard
1t as good campaign material and will
seek to develop it in debates and by
official inquiries. Mr.. Crane, smarting
with resentment, seems willing now to
lend his cause to such political exploit
alton.