The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1898-12-16
COLONEL BRYAN TALKS.
Tells Why He Resigns and
Gives Views on Expansion.
ATTACKS THE COLONIAL SYSTEM.

Cites Reason. In an Interview Why He Is
. Plan For Government Of Philippines
Similar to That Proposed For Cuba.
N-braskan Starts For Washington.
SAVANNAH, Dec. 14.-Colonel William
J. Bry an, upon leaving his command,
the Third Nebraska, gave the following
interview: my reason for leaving the
army was set forth in my letter to the
adjutant general rendering my resigna-
ton. Now that the treaty of peace has
been concluded, I believe that I can be
more useful to my country as a civilian
than a soldier
Colonel Bryan then proceeded to the
discussion OF public questions. saying:
1.-THE people of the United States, HAY
ing rescued Cuba from foreign control,
may now resume discussion of the do
mestio problems which confront this
nation. and to the new questions arising
out Of the var. may be in error, but
in my Judgment our nation is in greater
danger just now than Cuoa. Our people
defended Cuba against foreign arms,
now they must defend themselves
n their country against a foreign idea
the colonial idea of European nations.
Heretofore greed has perverted the
government and used it's Instrumental
interference for private gain; but now
the very foundation principles of our
government are assaulted. The i'm
periAllstic idea is directly antagonistic
to the idea and ideals which have been
cherished by the American people since
the signing CT the declaration Of indie
pendence. Our nation must give up
any intention of entering mon a colonial
policy (such us is @ pursued by Euro
pean cOuntrieS) or it must abandon the
doctrine that governments receive their
just powers from the consent of the
governed.
Cannot Advocate Goth Doctrines.
"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 cannons and the longest ships,
but we cannot advocate both doctrines.
To borrow a bible quotation, "A house
divided against itself cannot stand;
paraphrasing Lincoln's declaration, I
may add tn 1t this nation cannOt IN
dure half republic and half colony
half free and half vassal. Our form of
government, even traditions, our pres
emit interests, and orr future welfare,
all forbid our entering upon q career Of
conquest. jefferson has been quoted
in support Of imperialism, but our op-
ponents must distinguish between ex-
panslon in the western hemisphere and
an expansion that involves us in the
qCarrels of Europe aud the orient.
They must still further distinguish be-
tween expansion which secures contig-
nous territory for future settlement aud
expansion Which secures US alien races
for future subjugation. jefferson IA
vored this annexation Of necessary cor.
tiguous territory onthe North American
continent, but he was opposed to wars
Of conques' and expressly condemned
the acquiring of remote territory" 3
Suggests - Plan.
When asked how the colonial policy
could be- prevented, Colonel Bryan sad:
"Some think the fight should be made
against ratification Of the treaty, but I
would prefer another plan. If the
treaty is rejected, negotiations must be
renewed, and instead of settling the
question according to our ideas, we
must settle it by diplomacy, with the
possibility Of International complica-
lions. 1t will be easier, I think, to end
the war at once by ratiiying tue treaty
and then deal with the subject in O r
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 possess;"-l of Cuba is to establish a
stable government and then turu that
government over to the people of Cuba.
Congress could reaffirm this purpose in
regard to Cuba and assert the same pur.
pose in regard to the Philippine islands
and Porto Rico. SSch a resolution
would make a clear cut issue between
the doctrine OF self-government and the
doctrine OF imperialism. We should r..
serve a harbor and coaling station III
Porto Rico aud the Philippines, in re.
turn tor services rendered, ana [ tn uk
we would be justified III asking the sa.,t
concession from Cuba. In the case o.
Porto Rico, where the people have as
yet expressed Lo desire for an ind p1.u.
ent government, we might with y 0.
priety declare our willingness to aanes
the islands if the citizens desire annexa