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Show THE PROGRESS OF THIS COUNTRY. It Is a novelty of the present war situation sit-uation in the Far East, that, for the first time In a struggle in which Old World powers took part, the United States is in evidence, and is universally deferred to as having an Important Influence. In-fluence. Secretary Hay, has Indeed given this country a sort of primacy in the negotiations affecting the surroundings surround-ings of the scene of conflict by suggesting suggest-ing to tho nations, and receiving their assent to the proposition, that Chinese Integrity and neutrality, cave only as to Manchuria, must be respected. For the first time, too, tho public sentiment sen-timent of this country Is reckoned as a factor to bo considered, and Russia Is discontented, openly, with the drift of opinion among tho American people, which is favorable to Japan. On tho other hand, the Japancso aro delighted with the moral support of the American people, and tho friendliness between the two peoples will be much enhanced by the events and sentiments brought forth In the present war. But M. Hantotaux, former Minister of Foreign Affairs In France, calls atton-tlon atton-tlon to another advance of tho Americana, Ameri-cana, which has apparently attracted little attention, In Europe until the present pres-ent time. That is, to tho fact that tho ; Pacific, and especially the northern Pacific, Pa-cific, Is virtually an American sea. Wo have the Sandwich islands, tho Ladrones, etc., which are tho only harbors and places of call on the direct route to China and Japan, and north of that, wo have the Alaskan coast, with the great Dutch Harbor, controlling tho northern route. This occupation and sovereignty by the United States not only shuts all other nations out, but the very geographical geo-graphical situation requires that for all timo this country must hold thin sea in Its commercial and strategical grasp, Tho comparatively small coast front of British Columbia docs not materially affect this view, as shipping from any of tho ports of that province must call for coal and supplies at ports of tho United States in their voyages. There is no question but that the eminent emi-nent Frenchman has hit upon a fact of tremendous significance to the world. In this country wo have understood the meaning of It, and the Immense advantages advan-tages to be derived from this occupation occupa-tion and control. It is well that the European nations should be Informed of the great lmportanco of theso points we havo scored; but it is Just as well that they did not wake up to tho situation situ-ation until after we had scored them. |