Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1898-08-18
C0CHRAN'S OPINIONS.
The st. Joe Congressman Otlines the
Duty Of the Government.

ST. JOSEPH, Mo-, Aug. 10.--Con-
gresham @. F. Cochran, who departed
for the Democratic State Convention
at Springfield night before last, gave
out an interview prior to his departure
which aligns him inseparably with
former ex- Governor Stone and places
him before the public in prominent
position. So positive was he In his
statements that there is no rEisconstru-
ing them, and Mr.. Cochran is known
as a man who sticks to what he
has made up his mind is the right
course.
On the subject of territorial expan-
sion CongressmanC Cochran said:'tGen-
eral terms are misleading. The coun-
try expanded considerably when the
Louisiana purchase was made, II ex-
panded again when Texas was an
nexed, and the fruition of the expan-
sionists' dream was complete when
the Mexican cession placed us In COM
mand of the richest mining lands In
the world and added the Pacific sea-
coast to our American possessions. !
am not In favor Of annexing the Phil
ippine islands, but as to all other
questions growing out of the Spanish
war 1t seems to me that the duty of
this country is plain.
"The Philippine group comprises H.
200 islands with population variously
estimated at from 1000, 900 to 1o,o00,-
body who has taken the trouble to
investigate the matter Is In favor of
annexing them to the United States.
All ether questions aside, ii would re-
quire the loss Of 100, 900 lives and the
expenditure of billion dollars to &C.
quire and retain possession of the
Philippines. We need naval and
coaling station in that region, and, as
the fortunes of war have thrown an
excellent one into our possession, Il am
in favor of keeping 1t.
GAS see matters, all other ques-
tions growing out of the Spanish war
are very simple. Porto Rico falls into
our arms without q struggle. believe
Cuba will do the same thing. ] do
not believe the necessity will arise for
the protracted maintenance of q very
large military force In either island.
Once we get rid Of the Spanish, the
local situation will not be very diff
cult to deal with"
In regard to the course of the party
at the coming state Convention, Mr..
Cochran said: unexpectedly the
United States has acquired practical
possession Of Cuba and adjacent is-
lands, PortoRico and adjacent islands,
the largest of theLadrones,a and Luzon,
the moet important and wealthfest
of the Philippine group. Contempo-
praneous with these requirements, we
have witnessed the acceleration OF the
movement of the greatPowers abroad,
which has for its object the partition
of the commerce OF the world. No
less important is the lesson learned by
practical tests of the requirements of
successful modern naval warfare.
| Whether viewed from the standpoint
Of commerce or as affecting the safety
OF the country in case of war, II seems
to me that the situation imperitavely
demands:
"First-The retention OF Porto Rico.
| ssSecond--The annexation of Cuba
as soon as 1t can be brought about
without the impairment Of the promise
heretofore made by our government.
| sThird-The retention Of the coal
ing sta.icn in the Ladrone group.
"Fourth-Perpetual occupation Of
Manila Bay and the Island of Luzon.
"Fifth--The construction of the
NicaraguanCanal and its control by the
United States, independent of foreign
powers, and without the Intervention
of a private corporation.
"Sixth-Such an increase In the ma
val armament as will render US secure
from assault and enable our govern
ment to enforce respect for theAmer-
ican flag and protect American COM
merce In all parts OF the world.
Observation-Disclosures from wars
Of conquest or entangling alliances
necessarily involving theUnited States
In complications growing out Of the
rivalries Of foreign powers. refrain
from arguing any of these PROPOSE
tions, but submit them as tho en-
bodiment Of views based alike upon
investigation and the momentous
facts by which we are confronted