South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-05-24
CHINESE IN NEED
OF AID FROM j. s.
Newton D. Gilbert Gives 0pin-
ion of Situation in the
Far East.

FORT WAYNE. Ind May "a
Newton ". Gilbert. former member
Of congress from this district later
vice-governor-gene OF the Philip
pine islands. and who IS now en-
gagged in the practice OF law at
Manila. was greeted by many friends
on his return here. He was asked
many questions about the Philip
pines, China. Japan and other topics
or worldwide interest. In speaking
OF the effects OF the war on Philip
pine trade ne said:
II think. on the whole the war
has had stimulating effect on trade
in the islands. but the trouble has
been to obtain ships to move our
exports The =harves were packed
with goods ready for shipment when
1 left. / came over on the Empress
20 Asia, a ship flying the British
flag. which has recently been with
drawn from the naval service of
Great Britain. disarmed and re-
stored 10 the merchant marine. Two
other ships belonging 20 the same
company also have been returned
10 the merchant marine service. and
some OF the goods awaiting ship
ment may now be handled with
more facility.
Japan Seizes Opportunity.
after the passage of the shipping
law all American bottoms were
transferred 20 other flags and the
entire oversee traffic went to Japan
csc vessels. Japan having been
given a monopoly OF the Pacific
ocean merchant marine service. pro-
ceeded TO raise the rates until now
IL costs $50 "A ton TO ship freight
from New York 10 Manila. The for
mer price 20 private shippers was
SO but the government under con-
tract paid only 81 a ton
The remarkable action Of con-
gress in handing over TO Japan
much TO Japans surprise-the en-
tire traffic OF the Pacific ocean has
had the effect Of aiding Japan at
the expense OF American manufac-
turers who had built up trade in the
Philippines and at the expense of
the American shipping interests. !
There is good reason to believe that
Japan never expected the Americans |
10 adopt a course so much 10 our
disadvantage and so much 10 the ad- /
vantage of the trade of Japan A |
Japanese manufacturer remarked TO /
a friend OF mine recently that Japan |
in its widest dreams had never ex- /
pected action that would give the
Japanese so much OF an advtange |
over America in China.
Chinese Friendly to L. =.
NOW the Chineses are exceeding
" friendly 10 America and want ms 4
TO trade with them. We were .
building up "a fine trade in China .
before the war. The Chinese on the [
other hand are exceedingly antag-
onistic 10 japan which is trying TO 4
obtain control of as much as pos 4
sible OF China. The japanese are
exceedingly ambitious and have
shown great capacity in recent \
years. China was looking TO Amer
lea for help against japanese agrees
sion but the American administra-
tion has practically informed the
Chinese that in spite of the policy
agreed upon through Sec'y Hay of
the open door China can not look
10 us for assistance or protection
against her aggressive neighbor.
Japan now controls the southern
section Of Manchuria, as we'll as if /
she owned il. Russia controls the
northern section and unless the war
ends and European diplomacy inter
feres successfully Japan will gain
additional foothold i'm China. II was
our greatest opportunity to develop
trade in the most thicNIy populated
country or earth but we are letting
IL slip by i'm favor of Japan which.
in many WAYS can rival America.
japan and the Philippines.
Does Japan look forward to pos
session Of the Philippines %" was
asked.
II do not think So said Gov. Gill
bert II sincerely believe that Japan
has no intention of trying To disposs-
Is the United States of the Phillip
pines. But if the United states
should ever announce that il had /.
abandoned the Philippines To the
Philippine people. Japan would take
them over in six months Japan
knows the American people do not
covet more territory and trusts our