The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-12-14

SAVANNAH, Ga. Dec. 13-Col. William
]. Bryan, upon leaving his command today.
the Third Nebraska, gave out the following
interview:
My reason for leaving the army was set
forth In my letter to the adJutant general
rendering my resignation. Now that the
treaty Of peace has been concluded. I be-
lieve that can be more useful 70 my coun-
try as civilian than soldier"
Col. Bryan then proceeded to the discus
sion OF public questions. saying:
The people Of the United States having
rescued Cuba from foreign control, may
now resume the discussion Of the domestic
problems which confront this nation and
the consideration OF the new questions
arising out Of the war.
II may be In error. but in my judgment
our nation Is In greater danger lust now
than Cuba Our people defended Cuba
against foreign arms; now they must de-
fend themselves and their country against
q foreign idea-the colonial idea Of Euro
pean nations Heretofore greed has per-
verfed the government and used It's instru-
mental interference for private gain: but
now the very foundation principles Of our
government are assaulted.
"The imperialistc idea Is directly antag-
onistic to the idea and ideals which have
been cherished by the American people
since the signing OF the declaration OF inde-
pendence. Our nation must give up any in
tention OF entering upon 4 colonial policy
such as is now pursued by European coun-
tries-or 1t must abandon the principle that
governments derive their just powers from
the consent OF the governed. We may be-
aeve that governments come up from the
people. or we may believe that governments
come down TO the people from those who
possess the heaviest cannon and the long
est ships, but We cannot advocate both
doctrines. To borrow a Bible quotation. a
house divided against itself cannot stand
Paraphrasing Ldncoln's declaration, I may
add that this nation cannot endure half
republic and half colony--half free and half
vassal. Our form of government our tra-
ditlons, our present interests and our fu-
ture welfare. all forbid our entering upon
a career Of conquest.
Jefferson has been quoted in support of
imperialism, but our opponents must dis
unguish between expansion in the Western
hemisphere and an expansion that involves
US In the quarrels of Europe and the Orr
ent. They must still further distinguish be-
tween expansion which secures contiguous
territory for future settlement and expau-
sion. and that which secures us alien races
for future subiugation.
Jefferson favored the annexation Of nee
essary contiguous territory on tAe North
wars OF conquest. and expressly condemned
the acquiring of remote territory
When asked how the colonial policy could
be prevented, Col. Bryan said:
Some think that the fight should be
made against ratification OF the treaty. bu.
i would prefer another plan. II the treaty.
is rejected. negotiations must be renewed.
and instead of settling the question accord
Ing to our ideas. we must settle II by di-
pomacy, with the possibility OF interna-
tienal complications It will be easier I
think. 10 end the war at once by ratifying
the treaty. and then deal with the subject
In our own way. The issue can be pre-
sented directly by a resolution OF congress
declaring the policy Of the nation upon the
subject. The president, In his message
SAYS that our only purpose in taking pos
session Of Cuba is to establish stable gov
eminent. and then turn that government
over 10 the people OF Cuba. Congress could
reaffirrn this purpose In regard TO Cuba and
assert the same purpose In regard to the
Philippines and Porto REQ. Such a reSo-
luton would make n clear cut ISSUE be-
tween Tire doctrine OF self-government and
the doctrine OF Imperialism We shou,i re-
serve a harbor and coaing station In Porto
Rico and the Philippines. in return for SER
vice rendered. and I think We would be
justified in asking the same concession
from Cuba.
an the case OF Porto Rico. where the
people have as yet expressed no desire for
an independent government, we might with
pronriety declare our willingness. 20 annex
the island II the citizens desire ann-xa-
tion, but the Philippine islands are too far
away and their people too different from
ours 20 be annexed 10 the United States
even II they desired H."
Col. B!yan leaves Savannah tonight for
Washington. and will arrive there wednes-
day afternoon. He intends TO enter actively
upon the fight against the coionia, pci!cy.