davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-07-11

modest limits of what is varlously called
the Imperial policy" Commercial expan-
sion and colonial acknowledgements
,raad adS ,momentous change of policy we are
urseu 10 enter upon largely by arguments
drawn from the experience OF England.
Great Britain has colonies. Is an empire,
rich and powerfu we MssOi too ~ we must wpua have Se
colonial possessions There are many WAYS
OF replying to this reasoning. Perhaps as
llshmen themselves have said of the colo
nr,., n,es as nc source Of Englands power. A
priXyate y, letter Of Disraeli,s has lately come
10 ngnt W which he spoke OF the colonies
as 2 milestone about Englands neck. Lord
SsahsDury only a few weeks ago warned
slready dangerously taxed by her foreign
Mr.. cnelery.. long editor Of the London
NOT feeders. but suckers' So much FOR
Conservatives--the imperiaIisfs OF ifnperi-
sIlsts snlna What John Bright thought Of the
federation" may be puf In n phrase pf t,,a
own. lie said IN 1874 that the ideas then
ailoat on the subject werc EQUALLY vision
eral statesman remains 10 be- quoted
MI ghdstone said IN iS9f. as reported
by the lion. lionel Tollemache:
nave always maintained that we are
bound by ties Of honor and consclence IN
our colonies. ISut the idea that the colo
nies add TO the strength Of the mother
supcrstition as any that existed in the
middle ages" ''o
There Is a can't of patriotism, n cant of
order in great deai se &, 'ae tank kP0%pSns ~
ncNauon, from which we must free orr
rl;ndsi % Common sense about colonies, said
DE sentinent" But AZ iorn 1Fs Rnsss, snsn dn nee
tsl1 or pupIic man. who had changed his
,g,,a 1gphn.ons rather suddenly. there Il some
and that Is the recant OF pstristism. That
- sne stest perl 70 which We ara exDosed
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-07-11

upon the pregnant sentence so often
cited. After discussing the separate and
distinct interests OF Europe and Amer
lea he said: IF we remain one people
under our efficient government the pc
riod Is not far Off when we may defy
material injury from external annoy
ance; when we take such attitude as
Will cause the neutrality we may at any
time resolve upon TO be scrupulously
respected: when beIligerent nations, un-
der the impossibility of making acaui-
sitions upon us, will not lightly hazard
the giving us provocation: when we
may choose peace or war as our inter-
est guided by justice, shall counsel"
As IL I'm answer to his own question
about European entangIements. ne de-
clared before dismissing the subject.
Taxing care always to keep ourselves
by suitable establishments on a respect
able defensive posture. we may safely
trust TO temporary alliances for ex-
traordinary emergencies"
Extensionists do not fail to draw an
up to date conclusion from the premises
set forth by Washington and 70 declare
that neither as a belligerent nor neu-
trai can this republic exert influence
without footholds beyond the seas. They
point out that the position OF isolation
so long maintained has left us without
diplomatic training adequate for the
crises already forced upon rs and that
in order to claim the respect and priv
ileges due to our historical and COM
mercial greatness We should accept the
responsibilities which belong TO power
and take our place among the family OF
nations. Mr.. Olney says biuntly that II
is time TO quit posing ana proceed 10
acting. How and In what direction we
shall act has been I'm measure decided
by SPAIN Grave responsibilities have
been assumed. and the gitua-
ton amply justifies the alarm In certain
directions.
Those who take the ground that we
should go the whole length and strip
Spain OF her colonies gay that 10 win no
lime to discuss plans for governing our
aoquisitions when. We nave them 20 deal
With. Their confidence that an viii
rome out for the best is founded, they
'ssrt upon past experience In that line. |
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-07-11

n going forward IN the path OF conquest
inc peril that we shall have TO eat all
l, ouy iine words In favor OF freedom and
cried Mr. Dolliver. '.wiIi take care OF the
Philippine islands. OF Porto Rico and OF
Suba. and these people will ind In us
sympathy and anxiety for their welfare"
sne su o ss er
munities OF free people, We are TO extend
government over 10000. 0OG OF those whom
we must take care Of" and their views
pose 10 Consult. And I'D we % are 10Si to do Il With
a silly trust I'm our own luck. with a cool
waving away OF consequences and with
reckless disregard OF experience which to-
gether make up. as Mr.. Gladstone said, as
dark superstition as any that existed In
the middle ages.
The New York Sun faces the diffi-
culties of conquest and its sequel In
the usual virile manner and says that
the question OF the hour is not one OF
future government. The present duty
Of the country" II concludes. "is to put
stop once and for all TO a state OF AZ
fairs which became intolerable long ago.
1t will be time enough to consider
methods OF administration under our
government when the first plain steps
have been taken. The maxim, Never
cross a bridge till you come to IT, is
distinctly American. 1t is useless to
kick against the pricks. The things
that are being swept away were bound
TO go. They had outlived their use
fulness, IL they ever had any. 1t viii be
the duty OF the United States 10 furnish
something which shall be safe and
lasting substitute for what has been
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-07-11

battered down TO the music Of the guns
or by more peaceful means"
Or. Lyman Abbott early placed him.
self on record by declaring that the war
was the American fashion of meeting
the query. Am I my brothers keep
cr?"
In reference TO the question whether
this country should annex and perma-
nently hold the Philippines and other
territory conquered in the war with
Spain the doctor recently said: II think
this war Is one for humanity and not
for conquest. and its purpose should
not be diverted from the generous
thoughts that inspired IL. 1t was be-
gun 10 hberatc an oppressed people, not
TO add To our territory provinces and
dependencies. We may be obliged TO
retain control for period of some OF
tnose islands TO suppress lawlessness
and prevent barbarism. but " we do Il
must be done I'm the interests OF civiliza-
tion and human progress and not OF
conquest and arbitrary rule"
while advocating vigorous prosecu-
ton OF the war to the bitter end and the
establishment OF protectorates, the New
York World thunders daily against
what IL terms land piracy and con-
quest"
IL will be seen that the above con.
hicting opinions assume as n fact that
Intervention has already extended what
may be called political or dipIomatIc
empire, and the question now rcsfa
largely upon adopting into the body poI.
itic OF strange peoples or of leaving
them to their fate. The neccssitv Of
some sort Of 1roteotorata ovsn conauer.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-07-11
As to Spies.

| From time nimemorial among all na~
| tions Ii has been prescribed that the
| punishment of the spy shall be death.
] A Spanish spy caught by either our
| civil or military authorities would be
| court martialed and put to death by
| hanging. as that method OF killing Is
| considered the most ignominious Ac-
! cording to military ethics. shooting il
| too good for spy"
| The laws of war make no dIscrimi~
nation on account OF the sex Of spy or
traitor, woman being Just as liable to
hanging as man.
An interesting provision OF the law
governing warfare Is that a successful
spy is not subject TO punishment II cap
tured after having safely returned to
his own forces and given his informa-
tion. He may. however be held as a
dangerous prisoner of war; but, tech-
nically speaking. he ceases to be spy
as soon as he has dispatched his In
formation. and nations have agreed not
TO punish spies unless they be caught
In the very act Of spying or carrying
fresh news. The laws of this country
provide that II citizen obtains in-
formation even In a legitimate manner
and betrays II to the enemy he shall be
hanged whether he be a military or civil
officer Or private citizen.
A soldier In his prescribed uniform
reconnoitering or scouting In an enc.
my's territory cannot be treated as q
spy, for the latter Is essentially one
who Is seeking information while In dis
guise or under false pretenses. Some
European officers have endeavored to
include military balloonists in the cate.
CORY OF spies, but II is now agreed
among nations that they be exempt
from such q class. since they perform
legitimate military duties. While gusr.
rillas are not looked upon rs spies they
suffer the fate Of Q spy when caught, ~
do all ununiformed persons caught eb-
structing transportation or committina
other depredations within the ensmy'e
country.
All spies are volunteers. for the law
forbids that an officer should ever come
mand any one under him 20 DO this
work against his win OF punish him foS
refusing.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-07-11
fCopyrIsht. 1881


generous and genuine shedding OF
tears over the woes of outraged Cuba
has been followed by suggestions of q
possible imperial destiny. This does not
necessarily mean that the people of the
United States are tickle minded. 1t may
De held TO show that they are too hon
est 10 assume that there is virtue in
mere sympathy, too practical TO make
sweet indulgence of grief, and are re-
solved to wipe out the prime cause OF
their distress once for all. In other
words. successive shocks OF emotion
bred fierce whirlwind OF indignation.
Spain as the viceroy OF divinity has
grievously sinned. The edict has been
spoken-Spain must go. After that,
what? Reversing the old adage, the
nation, almost as one voice, cries: "The
evil cannot be endured. 1t must be
cured" Who shall be the doctor? BY
the action of laws as natural as those
compelling water to run down hill the
minds OF many practical and conscien-
tious statesmen leap forward to the con-
ception that the process OF cure in
wolves on our part an extension of en-
pire, political IL not territorial, perhaps
both territorial and political. 1t will not
do TO say In decrying the 80 called i'm
perial movement that its adherents
have Just made the discovery of virtue.
hence display the excitabIe zeal of nov-
ices. Nor can IL be said that the ques-
TONERS OF an imperial policy are unable
to appreciate the beauty of goodness.
Both classes are honest, the one finding
an outlet for surcharged force in giant |
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-07-11

ed lands is conceded, and that at once
involves foreign entanglements." In
the eyes OF all outsiders the protector
Is responsible. yhe logical outcome OF
this position is foreshadowed by Mr..
Richard Oiney in his paper upon the
International Isolation OF the United
states While not arguing upon the
specific case in hand. his thoughts are
very applicable at this time. Mr.. Olney
compares the nation i'm Washington'c
era 10 pioneer settler with a roof to
build over his head and patch of
ground to cultivate and wife and chill
dren to provide for and secure against
savage beasts and still more savage
men. The nation OF today" he saws.
rs like modern millionaire, who can
give nine-tenths OF all he possesses to
the poor and not miss a single comfort
or luxury OF life. 1t behooves the ma
tion." he, continues, ito recognize the
changed conditions and to realize it's
great place among the powers of the
earth. IL behooves IL to accept the conn
manding position belonging to IL. with
all its advantages on the one hand ana
all It's burdens on the other. II Is not
enough for IL to vaunt it's greatness and
superiority and call upon the rest of the
world TO admire and be duly impressed.
The mission OF this country. if
IL has one, and verify believe that IL
has. is not merely TO pose. but to act.
and, while always governing itself by
the rules of prudence and common
sense and making its own special inter.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-07-11
z4sI1 I 11kssSss,1A1lsd I'm PIRI X

England's military occupation OF Egypt.
although always declared 10 be OF a tenn
OF annexation. has been Taught With the
nlgnest benent 70 the Egyptian people. Our
occupation Of the Philippines should 10
England's benefcent services in the Land
OF the Nile. President Mckinley In good
Coincidence. both I'm his messs,ne 10 con-
Rress qnd In his ultimatum TO Spain made
y plain that. the. purpose OF the United
States toward Cuba was to secure the es-
ern administration.. Now that il has fallen
70 our providential lot TO drive the cruel
~ spansrSs os S tSs 9' sn a ahf 6sspenes Wen
kinley Will undoubtedly take the true po-
sluon that II is our task TO provide just
and 'n Wholly v nlnSh nnwnptaS Tor the natiySes YES
worlds commerce In the Philippines
We need not trouble our minds with
either the metaphysical or the practical
aspects of the relation OF this military oc-
cupation of the Philippines to our consti-
tutional system, IL WIN not hurt the con-
smallest degree IL we shall enter without
hesitation upon the duty OF improving the
condition Of the philippines. AS for max.
domain In the sense In which Alaska has
been added to the United States, that Is a
yeTy dnefet sn pbiinn,r amn the question Of
had 10 be answered Immediately with a
yes or a no. there could be only one an
But the auection does not require iminedI.
ate answer. The president OF the United
States has already determined upon a mill
tary occupation, That Of necessity must
mean throughout the Philippines an Amer
lean administration TO succeed the admin
istration now carried on under the Spanish
governor general who Is at once "a civil
and military authority.
With all forms OF annexation the
New. York Evening Post takes issue
in the strongest terms. In an editorial
OF June 16 1t says.
Hawaiian annexation is now admitted
by both its friends and foes to be but a
letting out of the waters. If we take Ha-
wall. we take the Philippines Once hoist
ed over those. our flag Is then TO fiy over
the Caroline islands. and OF course the very
name OF the Ladrones (robber islands) will
impel US to take them next. That may
content us for "A time, as far as the pa
ciic Is concerned, but In the Atlantic. as
Mr.. Dolliver frankly avowed in the debate
We are TO seize and keep Porto Rico and
cuba, and 1t will be strange indeed IL thar
badly governed and inviting island Wing
between the two, Santo Domingo and Hat
II, does not follow them under our fiar
as writer In The Contemporary asserts
that 1t viii. Those. then. are the present
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-07-11
IS Territorial Extension to Be
the Policy of the United
States Government?

We annexed the immense Spanish and
French possessions along the gulf and
west of the Mississippi when the repub-
lie was young and weak and that with
out the cooperation of the aborigines
and European settlers in that domain.
1t was accomplished without national
disaster and with less friction than has
been caused in the adjustment OF more
local difficulties. The peoples so an
nexed were not invited TO take part in
governing us until they had been fitted
for the task by our system of territorial
government. We conquered from Mex
leo other peoples in the same state and
put thera through the same process OF
gradual assimilation.
In the conquest of Mexico we had the
same problem that will confront us
when we have driven from the Spanish
islands the present rulers. The mill
tary occupation of Mexico began in
1916 and was complete in September.
1S47 The Mexican government was
overthrown, and there was no one TO
treat with, let alone a power to rule.
For period of eight months the United
States occupied all Mexico as a military
conquest, maintained order, executed
the laws and collected and distributed
the revenues. No scandal came OF II
and the plan was devised and executed
by the military commander on the
ground, General Scott.
In point of fact, the modern republic
OF Mexico was set on foot by the United
States under the auspices OF military
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-07-11

control. The fact OF military occ,na-
ton and OF the overthrow OF the previ-
ously existing government did not pre-
vent the restoration to the properly
constituted authorities OF all the rights
ana privileges belonging to the people.
Inc situation of the United States in
the Mexican business was anomalous.
30 Is the present one, yet there are
precedents in the old world of conquest.
military occupation and administration
OF government without territorial an
nexation. Bosnia Is nominalIy q possess
sion of Turkey, but IL under Austria
Hungarian rule. India was long under
British subsection before it was brought
into close relations with the British
crown. Egypt Is ruled by Great Britain.
but is not British possession.
This country has In its history n small
but useful example in the District Of
Columbia. Like all United States prom
erty and territory. IL has remained nm
der the control OF congress. as the CON
stitution provides. Since It's establish
lnent the form OF government has twice
been changed, and IL IL now adminis-
tered as a corporation In the hands OF n
board consisting OF two civilians and an
army officer. The present system has
proved the most effective OF all Dr. Al
bert Shaw. who assumes the role of an
impartial critic. makes this comment
upon The general situation in The Re-
view Of Reviews:
There should b. no haste whatever on
pnf part tu disayow Tho Intention 10 hold
ic PhfDWueS iur OIL tinnc. We arc cn-
sHEcd ~ OPEN warfare with spain and are
Under no oblehlion 10 settle the results
Of the war With the European pogSi 4.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-07-11

strides OF progress the other piling up
useful strength by the calmer methods
OF conservatism.
Ways and means lie invitinsly In the
pathway or the party of progress, and
objections and difficulties create a for
midable bulwark around the camp OF
The conservatives. Beyond the horizons
or both parties as now outlined stands
the great body OF the people. Their at
titude with respect to the principles in
volved In the solution of this new prob
lem is all important. In a democracy
the motto "vox populi, vox DEL" Is not
lifted up for ornament. but for use. 1t
means something-means that the peo.
pie are the final diplomats.
For generations the stock phrase of
euiogizing our political system has been
that 1T 10 the best government under
the sum- Even so calm and unemo-
tional a man as General Grant opened
his report Of the battle of Shiloh by set
ting forth that idea. Constant reitera-
lion has done Its work, and nowhere
outside OF q socialist convention is the
contrary proposition ever entertained.
Up to few months ago he would have
pecn a rash adviser who would have
suggested that the nation go outside fts
borders to extend the benefits of its sys-
tenn OF government. Call IT the hand of
fate, the mendaclty Of Span or the
ruling Of Divine Providence--it is one
and the same In esfect--a bold step has
been taken, one which the progressive
lists say cannot be retraced without con-
fessions OF weakness which strike at the
root Of our national pride. The rcsolu-
tion at the Faneuil hall meeting nro-
testing against the imperial movement
meets this very issue without evasion.
1t says:
Resolved, That our FIRST duty Is TO cure
tne evils IN our own Countrywide disturbed
relations between labor AND capital, our
taxation, the debssing influence Of money
az ELECTIONS and on legislation and the use
ot offices as spoils--and when we have
sm Within Ss oSp wG eSn c9Ssa 'he he rights q
ored race In the south and the fniians I'm
TIC west. and that We can severn great
Chicago will he time 10 consider whefbnr
we can wisely invite distant populations OF
alien race and language aud OF traditions
unlke san,s our own either TO becone our sub
yects ana accept our rule or our fellow
citizens ana to take part In governing US.
In the course Of Its deliberations the
convention cited the "wise policy OF
nonintervention which washInston
preached and which until now we have |
followed"
To the Washington policy 50 long rev.
erchced ny all classes as an emanation
OF genius the cxtcrsionists make an
s"cr tfat the situation has changed !
SINCE nc spoke the words. why. b. in |
terwcaVins our dcstiny with any part /
VI Europe cn,ansie our peace and nros- |
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-07-11

ests the first and paramount objects Of
It's care. to forego no fitting opportunity
To further the progress OF civilization
practically as well as theoretically by
timely deeds as well as by eloquent
words.
There Is such thing for a nation as
splendid ISOLATION as when, for a
worthy cause. for its own independence
and dignity or vital interests, IL un-
shrinkingly opposes itself to hostile
world. But isolation that is nothing but
a Sinking OF the responsibilities OF high
place and great power is simply igno-
minious."
Ii Is worthy OF note that ex-President
Cleveland now holds opinions quite the
opposite TO those here set forth by his
secretary OF state.
While editors and divines and diplo-
mats and statesmen are Weighing and
considering, the people continue to shout
as they have done all along. Remember
the Mainei' and add to the cry the
blood poured out. the treasure sunk in
the West Indies and the Philippines. It
is their treasure and their blood. and II
must be their treasure and blood which
shall clinch the impending conquest.
They may forget the treasure. but every
drop OF American blood poured ont on
Spanish soil endears that soil IN their
minds. TO the nag Of liberty. Besides.
the insurgents who fight for that flae
are deemed TO earn thereby q rfeht "a
its protection whenever needed. with
tho masses In such matters the hiRher
law OF conscience appeals ak first with
greater force than questions of nraco.
dent and expedisncy.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-07-11
The Arguments For and Against.
Several Important Questions
Raised by the Hispano-
American War.
BY CAPTAIN GEORGE l.. KILMER.

perity i'm the tolls of European ambi-
ton. rivalship. interest, humor or ca
price?" They point out that two-thirds
or our present territory has been ac-
quired since Washington's time from
foreign governments and that without
consulting the people occupying the soil
annexed. except in the case OF Texas.
Washington's farewell address also
contained much upon the European
question. which has had little bearing
upon our affairs until this time. In one
place he said: There can be no greater
error than to expect or calculate upon
real favors from nation to nation. 1t is
an Illusion which experience must cure.
which a just pride ought to- discard"
His suggestion as to a European policy
was introduced and closed by two sig
nificaEt declarations which throw light
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-07-11

Edouard Remenyi had IN episode n
his life which well deserves reea11in0
He Joined the patriot army of Hungary
IN the revolution Of 1elo and We go
tive under 0oergei IN the enuUn1uo
against Austria He was ore - 49,
who were included q ~ nEu1 nuunr11