Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1898-07-21

Of humanity towards the Cubans to be
performed by this rude land, would
be so humiliating that violent disap-
proval of our attitude is much less
painful.
5. The most fundamental motive for
the unfavorable attitude Of continental
powers on the war is political. 1t is
derived from their views of colonial
policy. The philosophy of history
seems to indicate in national existence
principle long since discovered in
the organic world An essential con-
dition of vigorous life is growth.
Rome, Holland, Spain and England
have successively grown great as colo
nizing powers. Although the princi-
pies that govern successful COLOMBIA
tions may change-a thing that Spain
unfortunately and obstinately refuses
to learn-this underlying fact re-
mains. Hence if rising Germany,
Russia, Italy would become dominant
power. in the world, if France would
regain her former ascendancy in the
worlds councils, each must build up
great colonial empire. Italy has al
ready received-at the hands Of the
Mamelukes in l696-a rude awaken
ing from her dream of colonial great
ness. The hunger of France, Germa-
nv and Russia for the lands Of the
savage Africans or of the heather
Chinese, however, grows apace. Each
desires above all, in the shaping Of It's
policy of colonial greatness, to have
its hands unhampered. This liberty
is necessary to its success, and nece'si-
ty begets right Here is a necessity
consequently right, common to all.
Common recognition and common de-
Tense of this right is the logical con-
clusion. Much as unnecessary suffer
ing and cruelty entailed by the colo
NAL policy of any one of them might
be regretted by the others, they dare
not interfere with this sacred right,
logically based as it is on the selfish
interest and necessity of each. Re
fusal to interfere even becomes duty
under the scriptural injunction based
on the right of each to do as may please
him with his own. For, while acci-
dental civilization denies the right Of
one individual to hold another as his
oon, it apparently does not deny this
right to a ,chole people Orer rhole
people.
Thus each has felt secure and right
eous in the pursuit Of It's own idea Of
colonial policy, because all have rec
ognized that right. Suddenly a dis
concerting stroke comes from the out
side. Departing from all its pacific
traditions, the American Republic has
dared to interfere in the colonial pol
icy Of a European power Now, Eu-
ropean diplomacy, while never at a
loss for lofty pretext,, is based e1clu-
sively on selfish interests. Europeans
can conceive no other basis for explain
ing our motives. To their astute d.
plomacy, our pretext Of humanitarian
motives is childish in its simplicity.
They accordingly search elsewhere for
the real motives. Behold their shrewd
discovery The United States has sud-
denly become conscious of its might
100000 inhabitants and incompar-
able resources. They are restive in
their position of political isolation.
They envy the great world-powers
their influence in the world Is councils,
and they conceive the ambition to at
tain a similar position. To do this,
they must enter upon career Of col
onization. Since they have no colo
MES, they must acquire some. The mo-
ment is opportune, and the first stroke
may be aimed at decrepit Spain. Hav-
ing once succeeded in this enterprise
and having meanwhile created form
idable army and navy they will easily
find pretext later for satisfying at the
expense Of other European powers
their craving for colonial possessions
Thus, behold the pacific Republic Of
de Tocqueville suddenly become
formidable military power, launched
upon career of territorial aggrandize-
ment The more imaginative even
conceive the new world consolidated,
in arms, and engaged with the old
world in terrible struggle for suprem-
acy. But for those who contemplate
the United States Of century hence,
with its probable population Of three
hundred millions, this grandiose spec
tacle of iutercontinental war is not
necessary. If they would retain the
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