The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-11-27

mere is ahead time Of political peace
ana abundant leisure I'm which TO consider
an paths proposed for this country to fol-
low out Of the war path
It has been urged that we need tronical
conquests 10 promote trade. our foreign
trade in the islands and countries Of Asia
mas been promoting itself without the
helD OF conquest. It's expansion is i'm
pressiVely expressed in these statistics:
ISs5 our exports TO Japan were...S 3. 1876 400
Io3l they Were.......... L.. $50 400
1898 our exports TO China were. $500 900
1Nyl they exceeded. .............. IL 900 900
lNg5 our exports 10 Australia were 1920 900
loyl they Were...................... j.. $50 600
1873 our exports 10 Oceanica were II. 200 900
1871 they Were...... ............... p $50 900
The expansion in four years was SOS
$50. 100 All that was gained without the
eNDense of military conquest and the
higher cost of governing conquered colo
MES.
The Philippines. Cuba and Porto Rico
combined, absorb only S32,O0OOOO OF i'm
ports annually. II we take those islands
and get all Of that trade. IT will add an
inconsderable percentage 10 our exports
and the profit Of 1t viii not pay 1 per
cent. Of the cost Of garrisoning and gov
cTning them. or course. We will not
get all that trade. Other nations will
divide with MS. while they will bear none
OF the burdens Of governing an alien
people.
There IS some talk about increasing
the absorbing capacity Of the people OF
these Islands. but there f. no evidence
that their wants can be increased, re-
curing an increased supply, by any
change IN their government Their soil
and climate supply almost spontaneously
their physical wants. and no change I'm
fuNs can change natural conditions Tho
energy our people must eXpend in holding
distant possessions, under the vertical
sun OF the tropics. II put into extending
our trade with Central and South Anne
RIGA would bring in one year richer re-
turns than we can get I'm any score OF
years out Of tropical colonies.
If our export trade were languishing,
and our surplus production congesting on
our hands, there might be some argu-
ment for even a doubtful experiment.
But with a steady and enormous increase
I'm the worlds demands for what we have
To sell and supply there IS every argu-
ment for the avoidance Of experiments
These considerations are on the praoti-
cal the commercial side Of the issue
When the proposition Is examined on its
ethical side. in the light OF its probable
effect upon our people and the change Il
implies in our government and IT'S meth
btS, tHtft - even less 10 De SAID iDr i'm
oorial miltarism. The lesson Of our
hundred days war in the tropics will
surely not he lost. From every camp.
from Manila. Honolulu, Porto Rico and
Santiago by every mail comes the length
ening roster OF the dead. Feyer-smitten
soldiers languish in the hospitals. and
the bugle walls taps hourly over the
dead. Americans viii not volunteer TO
fill up the ranks Of the regular army 70
the 10000 soldiers required for service
and garrison duty in these tropical sta
tons. II IS idle 20 talk about any care
and sanitary reforms that will curb these
fatalities The climate is poison 10 our
race, and nothing can either change 1t
or adapt white men 10 IL. our brief expe-
rience I'm Cuba and Porto Rico has proved
that even our negro troops are not i'm
mune They have been changed by two
hundred years passed In the temperate
zone. Why need we go abroad for prob
lesas 10 solve to hunt trouble. 70 seek
burdens 20 increase taxation and 10 pre-
pare a reaction that will push our very
government from its constitutional moor
ings?-San Francisco Call.