The Salt Lake herald-Republican. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1909-1918, 1910-05-01
AWAKENING OF ASIA.

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Melville E. Stone has returned to the
United States after q six n, nths' trip
around the world, spending most of his
time abroad in the Far East. Accepting
his conclusions at their face value, there
is small chance for American manufac-
turers in the Orient at the present time.
There viii be 10 chance at all in the
near future.
The oriental nations have been adopt
tng the methods of western civilization.
Owing to improved sanitary conditions,
mortality caused by epidemics has been
reduced to a minimum. and the popula-
tion of Asia is increasing much more
rapidly than the population of Europe
or America. Mr. Stone concludes that
we shall ultimately find ourselves face
70 face with overpowering numbers.
Mr.. Stone does not argue from this
that a war between the eastern and
western peoples will naturally follow,
but he does believe that with countless
millions of people who have to be
clothed and fed, labor will always be
cheap in the Orient
Regarding the outlook for American
trade in the Orient, he says: The fact
that there is really no large field any
more in Asia for American goods is an
other thing to be remembered. India
is already manufacturing her coarser
grades of cotton goods. The higher
grades, owing 10 climate, Manchester
alone can manufacture. On the Yangtse
river millions Of dollars have also been
invested in flour mills. Minneapolis can
10 longer compete with the cheapness
with which Asia can grind her wheat
Last year a line of boats was put In
operation between Shanghai and Puget
Sound. Pig iron manufactured In China
was brought TO this country at & price
which, in spite OF the tariff, we cannot
meet. With the cheapness Of Asiatic
labor and high freight rates, I cannot
see any hopeful outlook for American
exports to ASIA
Taking his view Of the case il really
does not matter whether Secretary
Knox succeeds in keeping the, door open
or whether it is shut in our faces. II
we cannot compete, the door is worse
than useless. The fact that Chinese pig
iron has been exported to this country
in spite of the tariff, ought to be an
impressive warning to those who would
still further reduce the rates.
For many years past we have been
protecting ourselves against the pauper
labor of Europe. Now that the TEEN
ing millions of the Asiatic countries
have entered the field, it is more than
ever necessary TO maintain the Repub-
lican policy Of protection. To be shut
out of trade in the Far East is bad
enough for the laboring and manufac-
turing classes of this country, but to
have the United States made the dump
Ing ground for all kinds Of articles fash
toned by the cheapest labor on earth is
more than the people can or will stand
another phase Of the Oriental ques-
ton as observed by Mr.. Stone, is that
LILO LeAIANC5 VI tic NdLtOQS
have come to the conclusion that an
Asiatic behind gun can kill as many
people as a white man can. The result
Of the Russo-Japanese war was an eye
opener. Since the termination of that
conflict, there have been revolutions In
Russia, Turkey and Persia, and there
Is grave unrest IL China, India and
Ceylon.
One OF the important signs of the
times is the fact that religious preJu-
dices no longer prevent the people Of
India from banding themselves together
Tor the common good. When high-caste
Rindus sit at the same table with No
hammedans and Christians, which is
said to be a common occurrence at the
present time, it begins TO look as though
abe troubles Of Great Britain in Asia
are about to begin. In times past the
English have had a comparatively easy
task n controlling India, owing to the
sntagonism of Moslem and Hindu. With
these two classes united and demanding
liberty. the task viii not be so easy in
future.
The observations or Mr.. Stone possess
more than ordinary interest for those
of US in the United States who have
held the opinion that the civilization of
the Orient would mark the beginning of
the development of an enormous trade
with this country. If this commerce is
&c consist Of imports from Asia, we
don't need it, don't want it and won't
have it.
MORE SCANDAL.