The age-herald., 1898-05-10
TO THE LUST ! OF CONQUEST People of America Want a Co.,
 lonial Policy. M'KiNLEY FIGHTS SHY OF IT This Is War for Humanity and Not of Con quest-AIl the Same Such Doctrine
 Is Being Preached by Several
 Leading Statesmen.
M'KlNLEY FIGHTS SHY OF IT
Special Dispatch to The Age-Herald.
 RY A. ". RrJTT.

Washington, May 9.-The people of Wash ington, and if Washington represents the country, then the American people are ra- pidly succumbing to the lust of conquest The local press comes out today on the lines of my dispatch of Saturday and tells of the strong feeling existing among those high in office in favor of this country hold ing every bit of territory 1t has and will have acquired during the present war.
 Senators and Representatives of both the great parties are becoming imbued with the idea that Uncle Sam should initiate John Bull and adopt colonial policy of which the Philippines Cuba, Porto Rico and Hawai- shall form the nuclueous. In view of the fourth clause in the Cuban res- olutions declaring that it was not the in- tention to occupy Cuba permanently. there is little sentiment expressed, though much felt, looking to annexing Cuba or holding it as a colony, at the present time.
 Pressure Upon the President
 With the growth of this feeling of con- quest the pressure upon the president to declare himself in favor of permanent occu- patton of the Philippines increases. This he declines to do, but it is predicted with much confidence, however, that by the time the war is over the president will have been brought into line. It doesn't much matter about that, however. If Dewey succeeds in capturing the strongholds of the islands they belong to the United States and the president can't get rid of them without the consent of the senate, in which lies the power of ratifying and re- pudiating all treaties, including treaties of peace.
 An informal canvass of the senate has already been made with the result that nearly majority has been discovered in favor of keeping whatever islands are cap tured. As recruits to the colonial system scheme are being made every hour, it is confidently predicted that by the time the senate is called upon to act, the colonial ists will have two-thirds of the senate. the number necessary to ratify or alter any treaty the president may send to it. It must be remembered, too. that the presi- dents chief supporters like Hanna and Elkins represent tremendous commercial interests, all of which are athirst for terri torial aggrandizement.
 No Thought of Europe
 There is little thought as to what conti- mental Europe may think of it. There is some reference to Great Britain, but after discussing her attitude the opinion is gen. erally expressed that while Great Britain would like to negotiate for the Philippines or any other island, this country would like to sell, she would rather the United States retain possession of them than that they should be returned to Spain or sold to any other country. The adoption of a colonial system by this country would, in the opin- ion of such men as Senators Morgan and Lodge and others of their ilK, mark A tre- mendous epoch in the development of this country. Among many men of public note such system would plunge this country into international politics and very shortly result in treaty of alliance between this country and Great Britain.
 Tbic fc fbo ,tr;t cussion here at the present time. Upon the first flush of victory after years of peace. this feeling possibly is natural but may recede before any action is taken by either the president or the senate.
 Not War of Conquest
 Thus far the president has refused to be swept off his feet by the arguments of the Jingoists for since that term has become badge Of honor since the war broke out the men who are urging him to declare himself in favor. of a colonial policy He says this Is war of humanity and not one Of conquest. To this reply is made that it would still be war of humanity should the Spanish government be driven off Porto Rico and made to retire permanently from the Philippines. They follow this with figures to show the immense advant- age in commercial way the permanent acquisition of the islands named would be to this country The president invariably makes response that while there may be much truth in their arguments, yet such plan of operation is so foreign to the administration policy and. in fact to the policy of congress and the people at large at the outbreak of the war, that he doubted the wisdom of adopting the new plan in place of the old. Then he adds very earnestly that anyway. he will not con- sider any suggestion of the kind until the end of hostilities
 There are still those who look with deep suspicion upon any plan of colonization. but it is remarkable how few they are be- coming.
 -