The evening times., 1898-06-08
EXPANSION OF NATIONAL AREA
Views FsvorinR the Annexation of
OutIvtu~ T~ratc.w

Views FsvOrinR the Annexation Of
Outlying Territory.
As coming from member of Congress
who Is In close touch with the sentiments
Of both sides Of the chamber, and who
also, is very close to the Administration
the following interview with Representa-
tive Burton Of Cleveland. Ohio. possesses
no little interest. The congressman said:
That our country il entering upon an
epoch-making period in its history no
one attempts to deny, hut the significance
OF the issues We are facing seems. in a
measure. to be lost. on the general public
We will soon be called upon TO decide
whether or not we shall violate the prin-
ciples laid down by our forefathers and
enter upon a policy of territorial expan-
sion, for which public sentiment appears
well prepared.
Those pioneer statesmen who conceIv-
ed the state doctrines we now hesitate to
put aside were the first In their day to
propose violations of national principles
which up to that time had proven salts
factory.
They were broad enough to know that
no fnfiexible doctrines can be handed
down to posterity, from the very in
ability OF mankind to anticipate its posi-
bilities- In what particular does it ap-
pear that for US to retain possession of
the Philippines and annex Hawaii would
be more startling innovation from tra-
ditionai principles of state than was the
acquisition OF that Louisiana territory
which created the same sort of opposition
that Is now developing against the acqui-
sition of Hawaii?
The exigencies of the future may de-
mand that this country enter upon the
exploits Of that new civilization now de-
veloping in the East. In that case the
possession of the Philippines would De
an invaluable advantage. What greater
claim has posterity upon US than thai we
should prepare for the future.
Ihere Is rapidly growing sentiment
in the House in favor of retaining pos
session of the Philippines. The Admin
istration would be almost unanimously
Endorsed in the pursuance of policy that
would claim to America the Eastern terri
tory but lately wrested from the grasp
Of Spain.
Then consider Hawaii. Every path of
progress and development now cleaving
the waters of the Pacific leads to the
Sandwich Islands. The possibilities of
their future widen with the prospect Of
accomplishing the Nicaraguan Canal.
A4nexation would mean a step on the
part of the American Government for
which the future awaits with impatience
Once the islands are lost, their recovery
would be well-nigh impossible, and thus
would We deny ourselves the possession
of the most strategic position in the Pa
cific. both from commercial and political
point of view
why annexation should be opposed. 1
cannot understand. OF course there are
individual financial interests to be injured
by the acquisition of Hawaii, but these do
not form the burden of opposition. Some
are opposed to territorial expansion out
of firm belief that to violate certain
American doctrines Of state means the
precipitation Of consequences most grave
In their subsequent results. While one
must at all times admire honest persua-
sion of principle. such opposition as this
Is sheer nonsense.
Il do not think there Is any cause to
doubt the attitude of the present Admins
tration on these issues. The Presidents
final determination concerning problems
that now present perplexing face will
be in accord with public sentiment, and
the solving Of 1t all will appear to pos
terity as having been simple. for future
generations shall reap the benefits of
things which now would seem problemat-
ical."