La Junta tribune., 1898-12-31
AGAINST EXPANSION.
GOV. THOMAS ON IMPERIALISM
tCaass-Bryan Forcibsy Presents HI.
vfews ats Recepssoa At Lincoln.

y. Thomas was interviewed yesterday
by a representative of the Rocky
Mountain News. He said:
.The national political situation is
gradually taking form. and although
we now see through a glass darkiy, it
is evident that the opposing forces are
lining themselves up for the great con
hict Of 1900. Bryan is about right. The
duty Of this government is to teach the
people of Islands which have come into
possession Of the United States TO take
care of themselves When Bryan's
idea is better understood on the sub
ject he will be better appreciated. He
recognizes that the islands are now ac-
tuifeiy ours, and the question Is what
to do with them. Men who grow ex-
cited over the thought of Imperialism
should consider that the first step has
be9H taken. The great problem is how
eSan let go.''
"Will the Democratic party oppose
permanent possession OF the islandsg'
was asked.
1T seems that such will be the posi-
ton of the party" replied Mr. Thomas.
while individuals may advocate the
rankest imperialism, il is evident that
the great body OF the Democratic par
" will finally adopt the more conserv
ative policy. The Republican party is
rushing headlong into territorial eX-
pansion. Many OF its leaders are out
spoken in favor of taking all we can
get and holding on TO every foot of the
territory. President Mckinley will go
with the stream. While he Is man of
considerable ability, he Is not leader.
1If acts under the advice of others, ana
his-recent trip through the south was
for purpose. 1t was to quiet any
strong opposition that might appear in
the south against the policy which
will become the policy of the admins
trnion. l fear that his conciliatory
utterances will effect the end desired.
l fear that the people of the south who
cannot be members OF McKinley's par
ty will be passive and will not make
the protest that they should make
against the headlong movement into
imperialism. McKinley's intimation in
favor of the general government TAX
ing care Of the graves OF ex-Confed-
crates was from his standpoint wise
suggestion. 1t may go long way to-
ward disarming opposition"
''Why do you fear the imperialistic
policyy'
at is contrary to the spirit of Ameri-
can Institutions, and once entered up
on means the destruction of the re-
public. Think of the standing army
that would be required. The govern
ment Is advocating n standing army of
100000 men. That means, as / estimate
1t, a cost Of 5O.0OO.OOO year. The
stahding army. II enlarged to such an
extent. may justly be regarded by the
laboring people of the country as a
possible weapon against the large class
whicA depends upon daily wage for
.hyead. The policy of enlarging the
hrfny will certainly be bitterly opposed
by the labor unions. and II is well that
they may take alarm. II is good to
adhere to the traditions of the past in
this country II we are to enter upon
the era Of territorial expansion. Ac-
QUESTION Of territory breeds the dis
ease for more, and the wisest head
could not prGphesy the result 1t Is
like the slave owner of ante-bellum
days. who bought more land to work
more slaves and bought more slaves to
work more land"
Lincoln Neb, Dec. 24.-CoIonel w.
j. Bryan returned to Lincoln yester-
day afternoon ana was last night ten
dered reception at the Olive theater
by the Waman's Bimetallic League
The house was crowded and Colonel
Bryan received an ovation. He was in
trtAiuced by Governor Holcomb. who
formally welcomed him home and COM
plimented him for his patriotism in en-
listing In the army.
After thanking his neighbors for their
cordial welcome and complimenting
tbG members Of his regiment, he justi-
fled his resignatlen as follows:
Il had five months of peace in the
N in IN, talyr n
part in n fight am az much inter-
ested in the people Of the United States
as l am in the people of Cuba, and
unless l am E,istaken in judging, we
are called upon to meet more impor-
fant problems in the United States Just
now than will confront our army in
Cuba.
Some Of these problems were under
discussion before hostilities began:
others have been thrust upon us as a
result Of the war. Let me improve this.
my first opportunity. to assure you that
my zeal for the reforms advocated a
few months ago has not in the least
abated. Vital questions cannot be
killed or buried, nnd we were dealing
wAh vital questions when the call to
arms resounded through the land.
There are two new questions which
demand immediate attention, because
Congress IL asked TO act upon them at
ore. The President recommends that
the regular army be permanently in
creased to 100000 men. This question
must be met now or not Mt ALL
Taking up the subject OF Imperialism,
Mr.. Bryan said that the President has
misinterpreted the sentiment of the
people. They are opposed to giving the
Philippine islands back to Spain, but
they have not as yet declared in favor
Of embarking upon n colonial policy. SO
great a change, he said, could not be
undertaken without more investigation
and deliberation than the people had
yet given to the subject. The principal
part Of Mr.. Brynn's speech was devot-
"a tho p1fIfvps,fro urroaffor, Tn, fI,g.