The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-05-07
"Our Traditional Policy"

Inere has been apparent within the
last ten years a decided drift away
IRON the foreign policy advised by
Washington. 1t showed itself in the
eHoft or Harrison to annex Hawaii.
Later, we have the reversal of the
Monroe doctrine, which promised no
disturbance with the possessions of for
eign nations in this hemisphere, in the
notice to Spain to quit Cuba. Now
we have it again in the discussion of
the disposition to be made Of the Phil
ippines, over which, if report is true,
Dewey has established military gov
ernment. The declaration of war ex-
pressly repels a purpose of conquest
and annexation of Cuba but. in the
message that drew out that declaration,
the president said that he submitted
the whole matter to, congress because
of the grave relation the course that
Is now incumbent upon the nation to
adopt must needs bear to the tradition
al policy Of our government, If it is to
accord with the precepts laid down
by the founders and religiously OBJ
served by succeeding administrations
to the present day"
The policy of expansion is unques-
tionably the popular one. There is
something in it that stirs the brute in
men, appeals to their imagination and
over which they throw the convenient
mantle of patriotism Already we
read arguments for the perma
nent occupation of the Philippines and
OF Porto Rico. after its capture, and it
is probably that such a policy, if adopt
ed, would have the general support
although every reason is strongly
against it. We need not go abroad for
solid reasons against such a course;
they are to be found in the nature and
disposition of the people occupying
those lands; their utter incapacity for
self-goVernment and the necessity Of
ruling them by means repugnant to
cur institutions. We have not devel-
oped In our treatment of the Indians
capacity for governing alien races
In such measure as to make it clear
that we could wisely or well govern
the mixed races of the Philippines or
of Porto Rico.
When we go away from home. we
IND reasoHS more potent. We enter
into relations with foreign nations
when we appropriate these islands
especially the Philippines. Already
we near note of protest The hal
ahce OF power which the nations of
Europe have established for mutual
seH-protection will be disturbed. Rms
sla was deprived of the territory con.
ceded by Turkey in the treaty. of San
Stefano. Germany was allowed to toll
Alsace and Lorraine because If was viz
tuaIly a retaking Of her own. Janan
was prevented from getting perma-
nehl Judgment on the continent after
taking and occupying Wei-Hai-Wei
Inc partition of China, so far as it has
progressed, has been permitted onIv bv
a balancing of interests. It ia hardly
TO be expected that the powers will
see new factor enter the Eastern
hemisphere and obtain territory with
out demanding that they be consulted
!, Put' Whatever possessions of 5Spain
are occupied by our forces and held
when peace is established, thew oan
De heid in pledge to secure the nav
ment OF any war indemnity that NAV
be agreed upon. The German army
remained in Paris until payment of
the indemnity exacted was secured.
Japan held Wei-Hai-Wei as Security
Tor the payment Of her indemnity.
we can hold the Philippines for the
same purpose. We have precluded orr.
serves from putting Cuba in pawn for
that purpose; and as the real purpose
OF the war Is to expel Spain from This
hemisphere, we could not take Porto
RICO as security to be returned to
Spain upon payment, There vii,
doubtless come a. strong moven,ant
ior the annexation of that island, and,
IL 1t is successful, we may expect
thereafter steady growth Of the ex-
pansion spirit and permanent sur
render of our traditional policy.