The Age Herald

THE PHILIPPINE QUESTION AS IT PRESENTS ITSELF, AND ORIENTAL TRADE RELATIONS

The expansion newspapers are now engaged in drawing alluring pictures regarding trade in the Orient. The fallacy of their position on this subject is the assumption that the annexation of the Philippines is essential to secure this trade to America. An analysis, however, of the conditions shows to any reasonable mind that their annexation would hurt rather than help trade in the Orient.

Oriental Trade

The Philippine trade is but a drop in the bucket of the trade in the Orient. John Barrett, former minister to Siam, whom the expansionists frequently quote, says the advantages of trade with the Philippines is insignificant compared with that of China. He especially dwells upon the development in the Manchuria province, recently penetrated by Russia's great railroad, destined for Port Arthur.

"Sphere of Influence" in China

From the ex-minister to Siam, who has visited every part of China, also comes the information that "spheres of influence," which technically means the section where the nation exercising the influence contends that no other nation shall ever acquire sovereignty or concessions, is, in China, a "sugar coated, diplomatic phrase," meaning "areas of absolute sovereignty." England, Germany, France and Russia claim "spheres of influence" in China.

Will Close "Open Door" Policy

The "open door" policy of trade, which prevails in the Orient and exists in China by virtue of the original Tientsin treaties would be closed to the United States by the annexation of the Philippines, where the tariff laws of this country would have to be enforced; for the republican party would hardly have the hardihood to repudiate the provision of the Federal constitution that says "duties on imports shall be uniform throughout the United States," or set aside the holding of Chief Justice Marshall that "territory annexed to the United States is as much a part of the United States as Virginia or Maryland."

Could the United States, therefore, while closing the "open door" in the Philippines continue to demand the "open door" in China? It has been truly said, what Russian, French or German ear would be open to anything but the infinite humor of it?

A Russian View of It

A noted Russian author has recently pointed out the folly of the United States becoming an ally of England, when Germany and England are bent upon partitioning China, which would forever put an end to the "open door" policy; the writer claiming that the United States should, at least, maintain a friendly sympathy with Russia in her efforts to maintain the "integrity of China." He says nothing but Russia being at Port Arthur has held Germany and England back.

American Enterprise Hindered

Speaking of the great Russian railroad penetrating China, the New York Tribune says that "it is practically American in construction and equipment and the shipments of American machinery this year will be greater than ever before," and that it opens up "Russian Asia to American manufacturers;" which but illustrates the wisdom of the doctrine of "peace, commerce and honest friendship with all nations—entangling alliances with none," and shows how timely is the plank in the recent democratic platform of Ohio, denouncing the republican party for its secret alliance with England.

Manila a Cotton Depot?

With all deference to the opinions of those who picture the removing of the cotton distributing point from Liverpool to Manila, I would suggest that it cannot be done unless you remove England's money also to Manila. Why is Liverpool now the cotton market rather than some other seaport city? It is simply because England has the money with which to buy the cotton, to hold it, to manufacture it and sell it.

Why Not Mobile?

If the United States had more money, the people of this country could hold their cotton, and after supplying an increased home demand, manufacture and ship the surplus from one of our own seaport cities, for instance Mobile, direct to the points of destination. Why should it be necessary for a ship, loaded with American goods, destined for some other part of the Orient, to unload at Manila?

All Benefits Without Annexation

But suppose it is necessary for American ships, loaded with American goods, destined for some other part of the Orient, to unload at Manila. Could not all the rights and privileges be secured by a treaty of peace without conquering and governing by force an inferior race? Who doubts that the Filipinos, for the sake of liberty, would grant any concessions that this country might demand?

National Prestige Endangered

This great nation that fired the first gun of the Philippine war, would lose no national prestige in even now offering to do what is right. To conquer and hold in subjection the Filipinos will but take away from the nation that much of military strength as will be needed constantly to maintain American sovereignty. Besides the Philippines would be this country's vulnerable point of attack, and the loss of a naval battle in the Orient would destroy our national prestige, whereas, with our present compact country, while the United States might not be able to conquer, yet could not be conquered by the world.

Export Trade Not Helped

It is a matter of statistics that in the last five years the export trade of England, with her colonies, has decreased 5 per cent., while the United States', without any colonies, has increased 18 per cent. Andrew Carnegie, the largest exporter in this country, has ably pointed out the fallacy of the annexation of the Philippines helping export trade. Peace is the first essential for successful commerce. Annex the Philippines and you immediately put this nation in contact with the nations of Europe with their standing army of two millions of troops and fifteen hundred ships of war, and if this country does not actually get into war, it will be constantly agitated by rumors of war, which is as fatal to successful trade as actual war itself.

Reasons for Our Progress

"Previous to the war with Spain," says a foreign writer, "the only expansion which the Americans understood or cared about was commercial. They wished to have nothing to do with other nations except in the way of trade," and he attributes the accumulation of wealth in this country to the wonderful natural resources of the nation, and to the "fact that a large portion of American intellect is devoted entirely to business." And yet there are those who would dwarf and direct the intellect of America into the cramped and narrow channel of European militarism.