Meanwhile a French company was engaged in endeavoring to complete the Panama canal. Large sums of money had been spent on this enterprise, and near the close of the administration this company offered to make a sale of its work, so far as completed, to the United States. At the end of the century this important question remained to be acted upon by Congress, it being then impossible to foresee which route would be chosen.

The discovery of gold in Alaska had given rise to a question of some importance between Great Britain and the United States. The Klondike gold diggings proved to be in British territory, and it became important to fix definitely the boundary line between Alaska and British America. This matter has been temporarily adjusted, but the permanent settlement of the boundary still remains to be effected.

Another question which had remained unsettled for a considerable period was that concerning the Samoan Islands. In the year 1900 this was definitely adjusted by the partition of these islands between England, Germany and the United States. By this agreement the United States obtained the island of Tutuila. This gives us the magnificent harbor of Panga Panga, where for more than twenty years we have had a coaling station. The treaty was negotiated by Secretary Hay, and approved by the Senate on January 16, 1900.

THE OPEN DOOR IN CHINA

Every American voter will be interested in the results secured and the benefits arising from Secretary Hay's negotiation with foreign powers, by which was acquired an equal footing for our commerce in China. There had been an attempt on the part of several European powers to secure a permanent influence over portions of China, to control all grants for the purpose of constructing railroads and developing mines. In acquiring these rights there was danger that the United States would be excluded from its commercial rights with the Chinese. By treaty China had already granted to the United States the privileges allowed to the

most favored nations, and under this treaty our commerce had thrived. Beginning with September 6, 1899, Secretary Hay held correspondence with the governments of other nations respecting the maintaining of an "open door " in China. He secured the assent of Great Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Russia and Japan to an international declaration, by which each government agreed substantially as follows:

First. That it would in no wise interfere with any treaty port or any vested interest within any so-called "sphere of interest leased territory it might in the future control in China.

Second. That the Chinese treaty tariff of the time being should apply to all merchandise landed or shipped to all such ports as were within such "spheres of interest" (unless they should be "free ports"), no matter to what nationality it might belong, and that duties so leviable should be collected by the Chinese Govern

ment.

Third. That it would levy no higher harbor dues on vessels of another nationality frequenting any port in such "sphere" than should be levied on vessels of its own nationality; and no higher railroad charges over lines built, controlled or operated within its "sphere," on merchandise belonging to citizens or subjects of other nationalities transported through such "sphere," than should be levied on similar merchandise belonging to its own nationality transported over equal distances.

The special point in this triumph of American diplomacy is that the United States surrendered nothing in acquiring these valuable concessions from the powers named. The United States will have an equal footing with all other nations in the Orient, and American. merchandise can be shipped to and landed in all Chinese ports where the nations named have their spheres of influence. There will be no discriminating harbor dues or railroad charges. Consequently, the western shore of the Pacific will become the most inviting field for American enterprise, since the Chinese Empire, with its great requirements, has been opened to commerce and trade.

As regards our new acquisition of Porto Rico, the President in his message of 1900 used this much quoted language: "Our plain duty is to abolish the customs tariffs between the United States and Porto Rico, and give her products free access to our markets." The people of Porto Rico at that time had been brought into a state of poverty and despair as the result of a severe tropical hurricane, which had devastated the coffee plantations and done great damage to all kinds of property. It occurred to the President that the most effective measure of relief would be to give the islanders free access to our markets. Congress, however, dissented from this view, but reduced temporarily the tariff duties with Porto Rico. It may be said in this connection that in the second McKinley administration this duty was removed and commerce between the United States and Porto Rico was made free.

OUR NEW POSSESSIONS

The most important question that had arisen, however, was that indicated by the much used words "Imperialism" and "Expansion." The position taken by the Government in regard to the Philippine Islands had created a vigorous opposition. A party not large in numbers, but strongly outspoken, denounced the movement towards retaining possession of the Philippine Islands. Among other arguments was the great cost of the war in the Philippines, which amounted to nearly $500,000,000, the drain upon the youths of this country and the barbarities of the warfare. Serious objection was also made to the large increase in the army rendered necessary, leading to expected burdens of militarism and increased taxation. The issue of this controversy will be considered in the next chapter.

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CHAPTER XVI

The Campaign of 1900

N the 19th of June, 1900, for the third time in its history, the National Republican Convention assembled in Philadelphia. Like its predecessors, it was an historic event of unusual importance. Philadelphia responded fittingly to the honor of its choice by the Republican party, and to the enthusiasm of the hour, bedecked itself with bunting and national emblems, and opened its doors in generous hospitality to the thousands who poured in from every State and Territory of the Union. Long before the Convention met, it was evident that President McKinley would receive a unanimous re-nomination for the first place on the ticket, and that the policy of his administration would be heartily indorsed. The name and portrait of the President headed every combination for the Republican ticket, and no doubt of his enthusiastic selection existed.

But who would get the nomination for the second place was a question of keen interest to politicians and friends of rival candidates. Among the illustrious names mentioned, Governor Roosevelt, of New York State, headed the list, closely followed by Secre tary John D. Long of Massachusetts, William B. Allison and Wil liam Dolliver, favorite sons of Iowa, Timothy L. Woodruff. New York's Lieutenant-Governor, and ex-Secretary Cornelius N. Bliss of New York.

Republican National assemblies have always boasted a distinguished membership. But in this respect the roll of the Convention which met in Philadelphia in 1900 probably surpassed any of its eleven predecessors. The roll of the Convention which assembled forty-four years ago contained the names of men who have