Kentucky Irish American. (Louisville, Ky.) 1898-1968, 1898-10-08
Thinks the Late War Places Us
on an Equal Footing with
England.
The Orient and Pacific Ocean
the Future of Our Com
merce.
OUR GREAT RIVAL ON THE SEA

"More important results will follow
from the present war than would have
been achieved in hundred years under
ordinary circumstances, said Senator
Elkins, of West Virginia, is discussing
the future outlook in this country.
Few men i'll the United States are bet
ter fitted to figure in the role of prophet
than Mr.. Elkins, particularly with refer
ence to the problems now confronting
the nation, says the New York Journal.
ave have just entered an epoch-mak-
ing age" continued the Senator. "Be-
fore the war was opposed to annexation
north and south. ] felt that we had
enough territory to govern, and that we
did not want any more. l sustained the
President in trying to settle the differ
ences with Spain without war, and hoped
up to the last that hostillities would be
avoided.
"Seeing that war was inevitable, l then
felt, as l stated in the Senate in my
speech OH the Cuban question, that we
should be aggressive to the last degree,
and take not only Cuba, but also Porto
Rico and the Philippines. My idea was
that Spain, being bankrupt, could not
pay an indemnity, and that we should
hold these islands instead. did not be-
lieve in the resolutions that aimed to
commit the country to Recommendation.
"All agree that Porto Rico should be-
come part of the United States and be
annexed Immediately. And all agree,
moreover, that the insurgents should be
given an opportunity to govern the island
of Cuba, and if they can not do so, that
Cuba shall ultimately become a part OF
the United States. ...-- y -
"There is a difference of opinion as to
what should be done with the Philippines.
To my way of thinking it will be more
difficult for us to give up. the islands than
to hold them. resent the proposition
that the United States should hold only a
part of them or the best of them and give
the others back to Spain. Having once
taken the islands, this step would be UNI
fair and unjust to the inhabitants. 1t
would be handing them over to their
ancient oppressors.
"Do you think that the United States
would look on complacently to the trans
fer of Captain General Blanco's army
from Cuba to the Philippines, and let him
kill and butcher the inhabitants or lead
ers of the insurgents Unfortunately,
besides confscating their property This
we could not permit, and this is what
would happen if we give back to Spain
part of the islands.
"And so the world will applaud our
holding the Philippine Islands, as we'll as
Cuba aud Porto Rico.
"Then, again, these islands are needed,
with Hawaii and the NicarAguan canal
as adjuncts to our commerce and the
building up of our shipping. Great
Britain is our great rival OH the sea. II
we are to compete with her and do our
share of the worlds carrying trade, as we
should, we must have the facilities that
Great Britain has. These facilities are
islands in the sea and coaling stations
around the globe. A builder can not
build house without TOOLS We must
lift ourselves out of our isolation and
take our place i'll the affairs of the world
if we are to become great factor in the
destiny of the human race.
1--WE can not expand our commerce, we
can not go on and build up American
shipping, unless we are put on an equa'
footing with England.
"This war has providentially thrown
into Our hands these facilities. We should
not give them up under any circum
stances.
"The holding of all these islands is just
as necessary to our future growth and
expansion as the Louisiana purchase was
or as the cession made by Mexico Both
these additions to our territory were VIC
lently opposed at the time, yet there is
not man or woman living now who
would willingly surrender either one.
"The United States must be the con,
trolling commercial nation of the world
Its situation, if nothing else, entities il
to this. 1t has the longest coast in the
world, while England, on the other hand,
is but small island with limited sea
coast And there is no reason whatever
why she should control the commerce OF
the globe, when the natural advantages
are all in favor of the United States.
eve are now laying the foundations OF
the future of the republic. 1t will en-
dure, hope, thousands of years. In 2OC
years we will have between four and five
hundred millions of people. This will be
more in proportion than the three mill
ions that occupied the thirteen original
States. Consequently we will need more
territory for our increasing population.
eve are healthy nation, progressing
rapidly in every direction, able to wage
war successfully and command the re-
spect Of the world. Shall we now shrink