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 Reasons In an Interview Why He IL
Opposed to ExpAnsiOn POiicy-Suggests !
Plan For Government of Philippines
Similar to That Proposed For Cuba.
N-braslkan 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 can be
more useful to my country as civilian
than soldier
Colonel Bryan then proceeded to the
discussion OF public questions. saying:
'.The people Of the United States, hav-
ing rescued Cuba from foreign coutrol,
may now resume discussion of the do
mestic problems which confront this
nation, and to the new questions arising
out OF the war. may be i'll 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
and 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
periahstic idea is directly antagonistio
~, IL. L.. l..
cherished by the American people since
the signing CT the declaration of inde-
pendence, Our nation must give up
any intention of entering unon colonial
policy (such as is now 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 Both 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 Che
heaviest cannons and the longest ships,
but we cannot advocate both doctrines.
To borrow bible quotation, "A house
divided against itself cannot stand;
paraphrasing Lincoln's declaration, I
may add tn It this nation cannot en-
dure half republic and half colony
half free and half vassal. Our form Of
government, even traditions, our pres
ent interests. and our future welfare,
all forbid our entering upon a career IF
conquest. jefferson has been quoted
in support Of imperialism, but our op-
ponents must distinguish between ex-
panslon in the western hemisphere and
III expansion that involves us in the
qrarrels Of Europe and the orient.
They must still further distinguish be-
tween expansion which secures contig-
uous territory for future settlement aud
expansion which secures us alien races
for future subjugation. Jefferson IA
vored this annexation of necessary cor
tiguous territory on the North American
continent, but he was opposed to wars
of conques' and expressly condemned
the acquiring Of remote territory" y
Suggests ~ Plan.
When asked how the colonial policy
could BE- prevented, Colonel Bryan SAID:
"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-
tions. 1t will be easier, think, to end
the war at once by ratiiying tue treaty
hun <x,ifn fbn c,,h;
own way. The issue can be presented
directly by resolution of congress, de-
claring the policy OF the nation upon
this subject. The presidenr, in his mes.
sage, says that our only purpose in tax.
ing possess'"', of Cuba is to establish q
stable government and then turn that
government over to the people of Cuba.
Congress could reaffirm this purpose iu
regard to Cuba and assert the same pur.
pose in regard to the Philippine islands
and Porto Rico. S>ch a resolution
would make a clear cut issue between
the doctrine of self-government and the
doctrine OF imperialism. We should r.
serve harbor and coaling station III
Porto Rico aud the Philippines, in re-
turn tor services rendered, ana think
we would be justified Ill asking the s,!4,.t
concession from Cuba. In the case o
Porto Rico, wsere the people have ;,s
yet expressed 10 desire for an ind D. ID
ent government, we might with O.
priety declare our willingness to anne,
the islands if the citizens desire annexa