(Bow OUR OWN connEsPoNDEST.)
INTEREST IN THE FAR EAST, It is plain as the weeks go on that there is in this country an undercurrent of interest in matters of the Far East. It crops out every once in a while in some speech or action of some commercial body, and nearly every instance can be traced directly to the influence of Lord Charles Beresford's recent presence and addresses in America. The Hon. John Barrett, Minister to Siam under President Cleveland, and credited in this country with having wide information concerning Eastern subjects, has been recently given a dinner at the Umion League Club of Chicago, His speech was an exhortation for this country to seize the opportunity now bo-fore it and make the most of it. He said "T cannot over-estimate the importance of the subject before us. We are face to face in the Pacific and Far East with a situation of immeasurable possibilities. Upon our policy depends our position in that grent ocean, where by the hand of God, by destiny, and by fortune, it is intended that we should be first, but where, if we fail to seize and develop our oppor. tunities, we may not only become forever second. but come trailing along behind Great Britain, Russia, Japan, and Germany, and even France. It is an issue of the hour. It is now or never. If we weaken one iota, we give an entrance for the wedge that will destroy the unity of policy and integrity of There is the practical and commercial side principle which alone can bring us success, of it, which appeals to us all—for commerce is the life-blood of nations. While formerly it was most difficult to arouse interest in American products and to get European or native houses to handle American imports, now all is changed, and there is a grand movement all along the line from Java to Japan in favour of American interests. These sume native and foreign firms want American connections, and wish to handle American goods.
"What a vista of opportunities here opens before us, and yet largely dependent upon two great points: First, whether we shall meet, master, and hold the situation in the Philippines, and second, stand inflexibly for the maintenance ut our treaty rights and freedom of trade throughout nil China. n this mighty nation of ours in that incalculable position of strength resulting from permanent sovereignty over the Philippines and perpetual enjoyment of freedom of trade in China, and you will have a nation whose power and influence will be paramount, not only in the Pacific, but throughout all the world."
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.