In the early 1900s, why did many businessmen in the US consider the Pacific so important?

This excerpt demonstrates a character vs. self conflict because paul describes read the excerpt from the land. "cassie, you know 'bout mitchell? " i asked her. "course i know about mitchell," she answered. "why're you letting him beat up on you? " "i'm not letting himl" exclaimed in outrage. "you thinking i'm liking him beating up on me? " "well, if you're not, you'd better make him stop." "well, i'm trying." "well, you'd better try harder." "i've tried fighting back, but he's too strong. thing is, i don't know how to stop him." his personal struggle with how to handle mitchell. his struggle to get cassie to him with mitchell. his conversation with cassie about handling mitchell. his interactions with both cassie and mitchell. mark this and return save and exit next submit