The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-11-25
SEATTLE. FRIDAY, nov. 20.
ADVANTAGES OF EXPANSION.

ADVANTAGES OF EAPANsioN.
There il not much doubt that the
United States will become the possessors
OF the Philippine islands. but some OF
those people who always want to be In
opposition are still harping on the UNI
wisdom OF Republican policy. In the
Western states there Is scarcely di-
vision of opinion on the subject, and
even Gov. Rogers has expressed him
SELF as anxious to have the question of
expansion eliminated from the cam
paign Of the presidential year, Never
theless, after the Philippines have been
acquired there Will be some to criticise
and condemn. II Will be necessary.
therefore, to keep prominently before
the public. not only the advantages Of
acquiring the Philippines. but the dis
advantages which would Sl.ow their
abandonment or even a renewal of hos
tilities
The point which will be relied upon
by the opposition to detract from the
merit Of the administration will be the
payment of a sum OF money in order
to afford the Spanish government an ex-
cuse for making the concession without
forcing this country into war of ac-
QUESTION. We must either give them
up entirely. afford Spain that excuse. or
go "a war OF the two latter courses.
undoubtedly the cheaper and better is
to pay the sum Ia Spain, rather than
waste II In powder. which would also
involve possible sacrifice Of American
lives. This Is So manifest, that II does
not call for any argument: yet The good
side will be overlooked by the opponents.
of the Mckinley administration, aud
the payment be condemned as unneces-
sary extravaganza.
Between these two alternatives, no
wise man would hesitate for moment.
Whether we should acquire the islands
or abandon them opens up wider field
OF inquiry. Whether we should take
them or not depends To- a great extent
upon the consequences likely 80 ensue
In either case
If We abandon the Philippines now
we shall have betrayed the insurgents
who looked TO us for aid That win no;
become one Of the issues Of ii political
campaign. however: the question will,
be discussed solely from the view O.
American interests
II we retire from the islands Spair
cannot hold them. She cannot afrors,
the money Ia continue The struggle with
the Insurgents. who would overrun the
country ana ieopardize the importan;
interests ~ foreign residents Tha,
would BE- the signal for an immediate
action by Great Britain. Germany
France and Russia The islands w0alf
he divided among them. ard we ahoqlt
lose most valuable adjunct to oni
mainland territory. How valuable tina,
may be made. can be ascer;ained from
recent consular reports. The traYi, Il
be acquired aui expanded IL not cen
fined Ia the Philippine islands. hu, Il
the entire orient The Pacific coast In
hahi;ants ~ Asia use foreign imports :,
the extent Of 81 os7 o0o Ga year and
their exports are about the same max
Ing a total foreign trade ~ considerable,
over ss.ossa. CSC, co. Great Britain trans
acts business with Pacific countries =,
the extent - $500 600 $50. next comes ~,
United States With $3.50 Ok 15a German,
with ti4s. 1,o on. AMI France fourth Wit,
$'S,oeo.ooo This trade must fncreas.
enormously. No dauht. even without
the Philippine islands we fsirht eNus..
20 reap some ~ the advantage - IN,
growth. but with a coating station an.
base of supplies such as TIE Philippine
viii afford. we would be IN 81 position +.
outs'Tip al competitors.
We are In much better position =.
do business with the orient than =.
rope Is. yea the ttsec European roun
tries named buy ana ~en in Asia foa
times as much merchandise as we fo
Our business is Increasing rnridlx +
Is true Twenty years ago our entsr
trade with Japan was osay 81. 95a. oae
whereas now Il reaches SIS .osa. eaN W
are much further behind European IA