Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-08-05

WANT THEM AND SEES IN THEIR
POSSESSION AN OPPORTUNITY
FOR COMMERCIAL. EXPANSION.
Epccial to the Register.
Washington, August 4. = Senator
Elkins, in a remarkable interview,
declares for the retention of all the
territory captured by the United
States in the present war. This opin-
ion is significant of the tendency CT
administration policy, which, though
apparently conservative at the pres
ent moment, will undoubtedly get the
full length of Imperialism should no
serious opposition develop.
Before the war began Senator Elkins
was opposed to hostilities. He believed
there were other methods of settlement
than a resort to arms, but lie went on
record in a speech in the Senate to the
effect that if war had to come, the Uni
ted States should take Cuba, Porto
Rico and the Philippines as the result
OF the struggle. Mr.. Elkins stands up
on that platform to-day. At first OPP
posed to all annexation, he now does
not want single foot of territory sur
rendered which has come into the pos
session of the United States. Porto
Rico will, he knows, soon become a
part of the United States, and the an
Eexation of Cuba is not much further
distant. AS for the Philippines" he
says, 1--WE should certainly retain what
has been taken at SO much cost. There
are two reasons why we should keep
them. The first is that they are harder
to give away than to retain, and the
second is that if Germany and England
and the other countries want them,
they are good enough for the United
Mates.
THE great struggle Of the future,T
continued the Senator, will be for
territory. All the foreign powers want
territory, in order to extend their mar
kets We want territory for the anne
reason. This republic will last thou-
sand years, and hundred years from
now we would be willing to paY half a
billion dollars for the Philippine ISL
ands, WHICH we can new have for the
asking. We need these island, in the
future az IN outlet for our people,
while for the present they will become
cur hcme markets. We \ ked them as
an incentive for the dsd use of our
,.saiaa;as, -. q tAGuiiding I'D of
our navy, until our flag is seen once
more en- ail the seas. We need them
because they mean so much to the Pa
cific Slope, a section which is deserving
Of as much encouragement and atten-
tion as the Atlantic coast.
ut is lille to ask whether we can
OF course we can. My faith in republic
can principles is unlimited. | believe
that our republic is the greatest gov
eminent on the face of the earth, and
that we can give the Philippines a bet
ter administration than any other pow
or. We have already solved two race
problems. We have disposed of the In
dian and We are making good citizen
of the negro. Besides this, we have
absorbed 100000 Of foreigners, giving
them the ballot and entrusting them
with voice in the management of our
affairs. Does any one mean to say
that the republic which has done so
much for the worlds civilization and
progress as the United States must halt
and hesitate in meeting the great OPP
portunity which is now before us? If
we should fail in our plain duty we
would make grave mistake. Hawaii,
Cuba, Porto Rico, and the Philippines
these are our four jewels, and we can
hot bHrt with one of them without suf-
fering mcalculable loss. Trade, COM
merce, evefything that contributes to
our material weHare-depend upon our
taking advantage of the wonderful OPP
portunities which something more than
mere fortune has placed in our grasp"
RED CROSS RELIEF.