The Advocate and news., 1898-11-02
Do We Want the Philippines ?
LINUS s. WEBB.


LINUS 8. WEBB.
1t is particularly significant, just at the
time when the Acknowledgement of the Chi
nese empire Is talked about that the United
States Is considering the policy of "expan-
sion." That is, just at this time when the
great powers of Europe are considering
the question Of smashing China and cary
Ing Turkey, the United States is halting
between two opinions about converting A
war for humanity into war OF conquest.
Shall we hold the Philippines at all haz-
ards? Having achieved the Independence
OF Cuba-the sole and only purpose of the
war with Spain-shalI we now renew hos
tilities for the acquisition Of territory in
the far East-islands peopled by Latin and
Mongolian races, whose habits of life
modes OF thought, customs and religion are
at variance with the history, traditions,
civilization and character of the American
people? If the obligations Of humanity de-
mand that we secure to the Philippine
islanders their independence why would it
not be the proper thing for our armies and
naVies to thunder at the gates of Constan-
tinople for the religious liberty of the
Armenians? Suppose we demand that
England loosen her grip upon the serfs of
India, OF Egypt and Of Africa, and that
Russia liberate her exiled subjects in the
Siberian desert? In fact, how would it do
for the United States to adopt policy OF
expansion which will embrace the earth,
and the civil and religious liberty Of all
the people Of the world? Perhaps we would
not have to sacrifice more than five or six
millions Of men, and few billions Of dol
lars, in the sublime task of regenerating
and reconstructing the world! Such paltry
consideration should not be urged against
manifest destiny! Let us sacrifice the
flower Of the republic upon the altar OF
humanity, and bond the people Of America,
for generations to come, for the emancipa-
ton of the earth!
But these are only incidents in the grand
scheme. The commercial world would have
a revival which would simply be out of
sight! Business would pick up immensely,
securities rise in value, bank currency in
crease, and the precious gold standard be
established for all time to come!
If sound money can be established
throughout the world, by all means let us
get them--if 1t costs every drop Of Amer
lean blood, and every ounce of American
gold!
1t would be such nice and exciting thing
to wait for the returns from our colonies
after a presidential election! Our Chinese,
Japanese, Malay and Latin brothers across
the sea would take great interest in d
campaign for national honor and sound
money! Why not? We could not think Of
taxation without representation, and how
could our brothers in the archipelago be
properly taxed unless they had voice in
the government?
The cheap labor and easy life of the
Orient will work admirably under the gold
standard! Prices can never be too low,
nor work too easy, for our brothers of the
East They want little to eat, and less TO
wear.
Expansion! Well-yes, of course. II
China is to be dismembered, is there any
decent reason why the United States should
not take a few pieces of the celestial
QueensWare? And Turkey, too-whats the
matter with having leg or a wing? Tur-
key has defied the powers long enough
and is not the United States one OF the
powers? And poor India, ground under the
iron heel of Britain! Shall we stand idly
by and see the serfs of India prosecuted
and slaughtered by an alien power, and
make no protest against the great wrong?
Let us appeal to Mark Hanna to lead the
hosts Of the Lord against the legions of
sin! And there is Ireland looking wistful'y
across the sea for friendly hand to aiG
her In her long struggle for her ancient
rights. Shall we turn a deaf ear to her
supplications?
It is stated as a principle Of international
that it is dangerous for one state to
attempt to go forth beating down wicked
ness all over the world, as such principle,
If carried out, would destroy the indepen-
dence of states justify the nations N TAX
ing sides in all national acts, and lead to
universal war. And neither Is the doctrine
OF conquest favored in international law