I look within the next ten or twenty years to see the commerce of Western Europe pass through the peninsula to the south of us. and in that way for trade to be opened with India. and our trade will be open to that country. I am not inclined to be especially strict. as some others are. in ref. erence to the extension of the power of the nation. I think. anticipating the growth of the commerce of this country with Asiatic countries. we ought at the earliest opportunity to secure proper coaling stations. proper naval stations. on the broad Pacific lying in the track between this country and Asia. and we ought to be prepared to take care of our commerce. But the main reason I have for supposing that it is best that the recommendation of the committee shall be acted upon favorably is that it is the basis of honorable negotiation whenever controversies arise between this and other countries. We feelthere is no Senator here but what has experienced.