The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-12-14
COL. ". ]. BRYAN TALKS
A Grave Danger Threatens the
Country.
THE IMPERIALISTIC IDEA
The United States Cannot Endure Hal.
Republic and Halt Colony, Half
Free and Half vassal-No
Career OF Conquest.

Savannah, Ca. Dec. 13.-Col William
J. Bryan. upon leaving his command to-
day. the 3rd Nebraska. gave out the fol-
lowing interview:
MY reason for leaving the army was
set forth i'm my letter to the adjut ant
general rendering my resignation. Now
that the treaty of peace has been con-
cluded, / believe that / can be more
useful to my country as a civilian than
a soldier
Colonel Bryan then preceded to the
discussion. of public questions. saying:
THE people of the United States.
having rescued Cpba from foreign ccn-
troll. may now resume the discussion of
the domestic problems which confront
this nation, and TO the consideration OF
the new questions arising out Of the
war. | may be In error. but i'm my judg-
ment, our nation Is i'm greater danger
Just now than Cuba. Our people de-
Tended Cuba against foreign arms.
now they must defend themselves and
their country against a foreign idea
the colonial idea OF European nations.
Heretofore greed has perverted the gov
ernment and used its instrumental in
terference for private gain: but now
the very foundation principles OF our
government are assaulted.
The imperialistic idea is direct an
tagonistic to the Idea and ideals which
have been cherished by the American
people since the signing of the deciara-
tion of independence. Our nation must
give up any intention of entering
upon colonial policy-such as is now
pursued by European countries-or IL
must abandon the principle that gov
ernments derive their just power from
the governed. We may believe that
governments come up from the people
or we may believe that governments
come down to the people from those
who possess the heaviest cannon and
the longest ships, but we cannot advo-
cate both doctrines. To borrow "A bible
quotation, A house divided against it.
self cannot stand; paraphrasing lin
coins declaration. may add that this
nation cannot endure half republic and
half colony-half free and half Vassals.
Our form or government, even in tradi-
tions. our present interests--snd cur
future welfare. all forbid our entering
upon careep OF conquest.
Jefferson has been quoted in sup
port of imperialism. but our opponents
must distinguish between expansion i'm
the western hemisphere and an expan-
sion that involves us in the quarrel of
Europe and the Orient They must still
further distinguish between expansion.
which secures contiguous territory for
future settlement and expansion, and
that which secures us alien races for
future subjugation.
Jefferson favored the annexation OF
necessary contiguous territory on the
North American continent but he was
opposed to wars of conquest and ex-
pressly condemned the acquiring Of re-
mote territory"
When asked how tho colonial ,,aIir,.
could be prevented. Colonel Bryan said:
Some think that the fight should be
made against ratification of the treaty.
but ! would prefer another plan. IL the
treaty Is rejected. negotiations must be
renewed and instead of settling the
question according to our ideas. we
must settle II by diplomacy, with the
possibility OF international complica-
tions. 1t will be easier. | think To end
the war at once by ratifying the treaty
and then deal with the subject in our
own way. The issue can be presented
directly by a resolution OF congress de-
claring the policy of the nation upon
this subject. The president. in his mes
sage. says that our only purpose in TAX
ing possession of Cuba Is TO establish
a stable government and then turn that
government over to the people of Cuba.
Congress could reaffirm this purpose in
regard to Cuba and assert the same
purpose in regard 10 the Philippines
and Porto Rico. Such n resol ltion
would make a clear cut issue between
the doctrine of self-government and the
doctrine Of Imperialism. We should re-
serve a harbor and coaling stations in
Porto Rico and the Philippines i'm re-
turn for service rendered and think we
would be justified I'm asking the same
concession from Cuba.
I'm the case OF Porto Rico. where the
people have as yet expressed no lesre
for an independent government. we
might with propriety declare our will
ingness to annex the island IL the citi-
zens desire annexation. but the Phil
ippine islands are too far away and
their people too different from ours to
be annexed to the United States, even
IL they desired IT,"
Colonel Bryan leaves Savannah to-
night for Washington and will arrive
there Wednesday afternoon. lie IN
tends TO enter actively upon the fight
against the colonial policy.