New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-08-20
FOREIGN POLICY.
OPENING; OF THE NATIONAL CONFER
ENCE AT SARATOGA
THE VAST PROBLEMS INCIDENT TO THE
WAR DISCUSSED BY HENRY WADE
ROGERS. WARNER MILLER. CARL
SCHURZ AND OTHERS

SCHURZ AND OTHERS.
Saratoga ~ Y, Aug 19-The National Con-
ference on tho foreign policy Of the United
states convened here this morning. with an ad-
dress by Henry Wade Rogers. Of Chicago, chair
man of the Committee Of Arrangements Mr..
Rogers IN opening his address. said that the
conference was called to consider some Of the
MOS, momentous questions In the history Of the
ponubl,c He spoke Of the war. and returned
,raver.ul thanks for the peace now at hand.
while peace has arrived there were many seri-
ors nroblems TO be considered He referred to
,,e close friendship between the Americans and
.ho british which would promptly lead to inter
rational arbitration. and finally to universal
neece The speaker spoke favorably Of the
Nicaragua Canal. which he argued should be
buut and controlled by the United States Gov
ornment That canal would shorten the dis
lance by water to San Francisco by ten thou
sand miles His reference TO the trip OF the bat
,le-ship oregon ELECTED hearty applause.
HENRY WADE ROGERS'S ADDRESS.
Mr.. Rogers said that the principal problem be-
fore the present Conference was that Of terri
torial expansion on which many distinguished
men of National reputation hold widely diver
gent views Indirectly he referred to the posi-
tons respectively held by the expans!onists and
the anti.expansion'sts. Mr.. Rogers's remarks
follow:
Gentlemen OF the Conference
As chairman OF the Committee on Arrange ments
it becomes my pleasant aToS Il, To Gat 10 our Se
lIberaiions. Thank God we are al peace once
more We have had masniheent victories rd prli Ill
marKable skili These devoted men have added TO
Inc honor and glory of our country But peace
Ia
cent events have served 10 create better unoeI-
SANDING between The United Sl@tes and na,ens Of
Tho world have much in common, and II is GER
anly the interest Of both, as well as the n,eres,
One of the questions to come before the T. con- on
opinion Of many the best way TO promote our
friendship with Grea, Britain IS to enter into an
agreement that these two peoples Will never hght
each other without frs. submitting their differences
peaceful Arbitration Such an aerecih,hI , WVuau
ton There is another question OF conimand'ng I'M
porance TO before t ne ns s6 S last Is
when a great highway should be constructed Tor
FREQ communication between the Atlantis ana "a,
Government OF the United States and neutral!zed
IN the same way that the suez Canal is neutral
Tho most important question to come before the
supreme court Of the United States in the days of
Chief Justice Marshall forever settled the question
can be acquired But the anf-expanslonists tell us
that Congress in ustifyini; the war before the pub
lie opinion OF the world made proclamation Of the
high purpose that II was be a of humanity.
and the idea Of any self-aggrandizement was dis
II our official declarations have been mlsnter-
preted by the anti-cxpa there seems TO be
another phase OF the matter which is worthy OF re
spectful consideration The Government Of the
United States is established upon the principle that
governments derive their just powers from the
Consent OF the governed Congress has recognized
that principle 10 Cuba
Upon what theory do we conccde TO Cubans the
right 10 determine what shall be their form OF
government while We deny the same right 10 the
European State. not founded upon the principle
that governments derive their powers from tho
sistency forcbly annex these islands. But is It
not Of sa OF
eminent IKE ours can DO so without s =, .s
own owl simply s" ask h1'
w We arc told that We entitled to take Porto
Rico or the Philippines an Indemnity. II spain
were not bankrupt might, perhaps. be justified
In asking for money indemnity from its Govern
noca pI ph qS tha, we should deprive the
people OF Porto Rico Of the Philippines OF their
helping the Cubans secure theirs?
If II be conceded that these people are Incapable
no adequate evidence as yet and Il we grant that
circumstances have made US guardian over them
Of dscharging that duty than by incorporating
them INFO body polite through annexation?
ment in Egypt without the annexation Of It's terri
tory to the British domain.
and alien peoples who are unlike ourselves in GUS
,Snnrh ann nderk 70 rule them s an D
ferlor race. may well take counsel OF our past
IT w be rof the US e IN that "nsss Of
history which records our dealings with the Amer
ernndnt ui in tho Phl,ppnes win be- Wise 70 read
again that chapter In our history dealing with the
Commercial reasons are advanced for the annexa-
ion Of the Phippines But ,rade Interests arc NOT
tilted to all due consideration. Those who urge
them most strongly will probably concede that
II We wish 10 extend trade lei us inquire OF the
political economists whether there arc not other
colonies. They will In al! probability give united
testimony that II is not necessary that country
should own the markets In which n sells " We
want free trade with the Philippines does not the
present situation enable us TO dictate without an
this country is concerned?
MR. MILLER'S PLEA FOR CANAL.
The question OF the Nicaragua Canal was
taken up and Warner Miller. Of New-York took
the platform. He briefly spoke OF his persistent
advocacy OF the canal Necessity. he said. de-
rnands that the continent be pierced at this
point Events Of the last three months demand
its immediate construction. and ne believed all
Americans we're now universally In favor OF II.
as is also all OF Europe. He spoke Of the nu-
merous surveys made OF every proposed route
to pierce the isthmus. There two points.
he contended First. Is II feasible? Second. IL 1t
desirable? The route by way OF the Nicara-
qua Canal has received the greatest consdera
tion as both feasible and desirable. Mr.. Miller
gave the history Of the Nicaragua route begin
Ming with the Administration Of General Grant.
md continuing down 10 the present time. Had
not the canal treaty been blocked by antagonis-
tic legislation years ago the anal would have
been already built and now In actual operation.
Financial distress for number OF years also
hindcrcd the work. Distinguished Senators
have for years urged the building Of the canal.
lut Congress did not act favorably upon 1t. The
Nicaragua route IL looked upon as the most