Do we not already lead in foreign trade? We do, I gratefully admit; but it is because we sell to less favored peoples our grains and fiber in a raw state. Confessedly, these are self-sellers, for not a bushel of wheat or ounce of cotton is sold because of any enterprise on our part--the buyer must have them, and the initiative of the transaction is his.
What economists regard as 'trade' in its most advantageous form, is the selling to foreigners of something combining the natural products and the handiwork of a nation--this is the trade that America should look for in the East, and seek it now. It is not wild prophecy that within five years a considerable number of the sovereign people of the country controlling its growth will feel that it is carrying international comity to the point of philanthropy to export cotton to England and Japan to be there fabricated for the wear of every race of Asia, and sold in successful competition with American textiles. In the pending battle for the world's markets Uncle Sam should win trade by every proper means, and not by methods most easily invoked; and let it ever be remembered that shortsightedness is plainly distinct from altruism.
AUTHORS CLUB, NEW YORK CITY, January 26, 1907.
II COLOMBO, CEYLON'S COSMOPOLITAN SEA-PORT 30
VI BOMBAY AND ITS PARSEE "JEES" AND "BHOYS" 126
VII THE VICARIOUS MAHARAJAH OF JEYPORE. 149
VIII THE WORLD'S MOST EXQUISITE BUILDING 168
IX BENARES, SACRED CITY OF THE HINDUS 185
XI ISLAND LINKS IN BRITAIN'S CHAIN OF EMPIRE 226
XIII MACAO, THE MONTE CARLO OF THE FAR EAST 267
XIV THE KAISER'S PLAY FOR CHINESE TRADE 290
GULF OF MANAR PEARLING BOAT, AND DIVERS RESTING IN THE WATER Frontispiece From drawing by Corwin K. Linson.
PORT SAID ENTRANCE TO SUEZ CANAL, SHOWING DE LESSEPS'S STATUE 8 From photograph by Georgilada Kip.
ITALIAN WARSHIP STEAMING THROUGH CANAL 13
CARGO STEAMER IN THE CANAL AT KILOMETER 133 25 From photograph by Georgilada Kip.
HINDU SILVERSMITHS, COLOMBO 38 From photograph by Skeen & Co.
A HIGH PRIEST OF BUDDHA 42 From photograph by Colombo Apothecaries Co., Ltd.
REPRESENTATION OF BUDDHA'S TOOTH, COLOMBO MUSEUM 46
MAP OF THE GULF OF MANAR, "THE SEA ABOUNDING IN PEARLS" 53
COOLIES CARRYING PEARL OYSTERS FROM THE BOATS TO THE GOVERNMENT "KOTTU" 60 From drawing by Corwin K. Linson.