The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1898-08-05
THE WAR AND DINGLEYISM.
Imprac tacabtIity Of the Projections
Theory In international Com-
plicnsions.


II would be an unexpected but per-
haps not strange development Of the
policy of imperialism If it should com
pei the republican party to abandon
it's outworn fetch Of protection, TO
which il has clung so hard. Doubtless
the struggle Will be severe, and, in
deed, we find that the conte mporary
platforms of the party, adopted in
Ohio and Vermont the other day, are
characterized by even more than the
customary partisan fervor of admira-
ton for the supposed triumphs of Din
glsyism. But the politicians are al
ways the last TO observe tendencies.
They follow and do not lead. They
have SO far failed to understand the
lesson of the tremendous increase in
our export trade in manufactured ar
%ticles, which is absolute proof that no
protection is needed to enable our
goods TO compete on even terms with
the best OF foreign make.
IL in addition to the lesson OF these
conditions there is added the effect of
international complications which
must follow extensions Of territory,
the time must come when the pro-
tective theory will be found imprac-
ticable as we'll as absurd. It's lemon
strable absurdity has not hitherto
hampered or impeded politicians of the
Dingley type. because most of them
are incapable OF understanding the ar
gument, and the others regard protec-
ton merely as good molasses to catch
fiies. II. however, protection should
be found to stand in the way of extern
sions of territory, then protection will
have to go.
We are accustomed. for instance. at
the present time to hear n great deal
of vague talk about an alliance with
Great Britain, and that alliance, to
the extent at least of moral support,
Is regarded as n necessary condition
to the extension Of our territory by
the acquisition of outlying islands. 1t
may not be denied that should Eng
land join the other European powers
In putting a veto on the acquisition OF
foreign territory by the United States
II would be n very serious business.
The fact is that England is the only
power in the world which we need fear
on the sea. France may have a bigger
navy. but we need not shrink from the
conflict. The fact is that England has
the only navy in the world organized
for offensive as well as defensive pur-
poses. The other navies are well
enough. perhaps. along their own
coasts, but take them n thousand miles
from the home base and they are
crippled for want of coal.
1t will be conceded, therefore, that
England's concurrence and moral sup
port is a condition precedent to the
extension of our territory. Now, what
Is the price of England's moral sup
port? Obviously. no matter how much
thicker blood may be than water. the
red fluid is quite likely to grow thin
where the advantages of a bargain are
! all on one side. IL, for instance, we
should undertake a protectorate OF
the Philippine islands, and thereupor
to u new dependency. such a lei
ure would prove very trying TO the
newborn affection with which we are
regarded by "our kin beyond the sea-
In fact. n plain statement of the price
of English support Is found in recent
number OF the London Outlook, which
Is semioficial. We quote:
III the United States allies herself will
England 10 enforce In China the policy o
an open door. or. that policy falling. vii
! agree with Englan nd to adopt In all the new
/ countries they may respectively open SOM
.,,oh ronf,ronot tvoda vICbsa q q n y q apf0yes
: by England and France In the West ATT
: can settlements under the new Niger con
T ~vention: II agreement for either OF thee
4 purposes be possible, II should be possfbl
! also TO enlarge the free trade area whicl
y the genius OF Sir wilfredIaurier contrived
Canada, Rhodesia. and now. through he
X rovernor. western Australia, all have nc
n cepted the broad principle. according I
British goods an open door. Other grea
colonies will follow suit, and II will thei
only need the accession or the Unite
q states to the arrangement to present to IN
q world for pattern or reproof an Ensilsn
speaking trade alliance"
= IAN English-speaking trade alli
~ance." A year ago the %republica
leaders would have shouted Urea
son!" had anybody suggested such
:, measure. Now they listen calml
: when all sorts 81 reciprocity treatie
with Canada, with Australia, wit
I. England and everything that speak
English. If you add to this the polio
OF the "opcn door" in the far east, yo
will have about MS good an imitatio
of free trade as the most wicke
schemer in the Golden club could d.
sire.-San Francisco Examiner.
Il 80