The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-12-16

IL
There is buoyant hopefulness about
the Americans which in the past mas
mat and conquered difficulties that SEEM
ed almost insurmountable, and the cxpe-
r,ence Of our country. since the first ac-
auisition Of territory in 1903 TO that Of the
Alaskan purchase i'm 1861, has contributed
IN establish q confidence in the results oil
territorial expansion, which is liable TO
lead us astray.
Beginning with the purchase OF LOUIS
sana from France in 1893, we obtained
Florida from Spain in 1919, and annexed
Texas IN 1915. Conquests from Mexico
,n 1s4s. and subsequent purchase from her
,n 1853. with the buying OF Alaska from
Russia. have given us so far all the ter
ritory acquired since the foundation Oh
The Government up TO the current Year.
with the exception Of Texas, which had
been recognized as an independent state
,ba Government has kept this vast
,erritorv not under an Independent form
of local autonomy. but raher In STATE
Of tutelage with the understanding that
when the obstacles OF sparsity OF set'le-
ment Of preponderance OF foreign eie-
,nents should have been overcome that
the territory in question should come
Into the Union of States with all the
rights and privileges that obtained IN the
existing United States.
The relative location of all or THESE
acquisitions. and tho success which has
attended the scheme Of their govern
ment are familiar to as all, and III this
very success may lie the hidden rock
upon which we are drifting at the present
crisis In our nations history.
In the consideration Of the possession
and government Of the Philippines, Cuba,
and Porto Rico. we are compelled 20 turn
IN the experiences OF other nations with
their tropical colonies, and search IN vain
for anything that inspires us with hope
that they can ever be successfully con-
trolled by any form of government In
consonance with Our own.
Tn the current Atlantic Monthly. w.
Alleyne Ireland has an interesting article
on European Experience with Tropical
Colonies" IN which he discouFsed al
some length upon the possessions OF
Great Britain, France and Holland. Mr.
Henry Norman, I'm mis- Peoples and Poll
tics Of the Far East also draws a strik-
,rr plcture OF the methods adopted by
France in her Asiauc colonies. lie says
that in 1890 tho population Of French
cochin-China was 10000, Of whom 1909
were French. and Of these i.20 were
oaice-holders, whose salaries amounted to
sl750,ooO
Tho force Of this recital IS not upon
any special form of government, or as
90 the merits OF any civilized race but
upon the far-roaching subject OF the
white man IN tropical countries.
The experience Of every country with
Hs tropicai colony - an absolute rout
for tho theory Of s@f-govornment' and,
in most cases. a thanMess and profitable
ondeavor. as the maintaining OF stand
.ng army 20 secur, peace among the ma
lives, costs more than IS realized from
the cultivation Of even tropical islands.
In the consideration OF The colonies
maintained by other nations we are ma
turally led 10 thoughts Of Australia, New
Zealand ana Canada az IMPLYING the
best results. but Immediately we are con-
fronted with the fact that these are nom
tropical and are populated by the hardy
home stock OF England, ald bound TO the
mother country by ties Of affection and
loyalty.
This IS untrue OF every single tropical
country. and experience has taught all
save us that the white man. when once
the elamor OF novelty has worn Off. will
not willingly bear the burdens and suffer
the prfvafions Of tropical country.
The most inviting OF ali the colonies Of
the East Is perhaps that OF Java under
,he domination OF Holland. The island
has a population OF 22.5oo,Ooe. and en-
braces 5000 square miles. There are
20 600 900 native Malayans who are in the
main Of gentle disposition and peaceful
citizens.
Tho goverp--ent barely escapes that Of
slavery In mat Holland, while compelling
-~ery able-Dodied man 70 labor In the
cultivation VI her coffee. sugar and other
crops. does compensate him by paying
. fair price for his labor. The govern
Rsnt controls the product OF the island