The Monte Vista journal., 1898-12-17
MIR. BRYAN's IDEAS.
WILL FIGHT AoAINsT ExPAN-
SION.
From . Departure Fron the Fasda
msnsal frinclpass OF Oar 0overamsst.

Savannah, Ga, Dec. 1i-Colonel VIII
liam ]. Bryan. upon leaving his COM
mnnd to-day, 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 resignation. Now
that the treaty OF peace has been con-
cludet, believe that can he more
useful to my country rs n civilian than
us a soldier"
Colonel Bryan then proceeded to the
discussion Of public questions. saying:
1.-The people of the United States,
having rescued Cuba from foreign con-
troll. mny now resume the discussion
Of the domestic problems which con-
front this nation and to the considera-
ton OF the new questions arising out OF
the war.
Il may he In error. but In my judg-
ment, our nation H. In greater danger
Just now than Cuba. Our people de-
Tended Cuba against foreign arms. now
they must defend themselves and their
country against IL foreign idea-the CO.
lontal idea of European nations. Here
tofore greed has perverted the govern
ment and used its Instrumental inter
ference for private gain: hut now the
very foundation principles of our gov
crnment nre assaulted.
''The imperialistic idea is directly an
tngonistic to the idea and ideals which
have been cherished by the American
people since the signing of the declara-
tion of Independence. Our nation must
give up any intention or entering upon
colonial policy tsuch as is now pur-
sued by European countriesI or 1t must
abandon the doctrine that governments
derive their Just powers from the con-
sent of the governed.
I'VE may believe that governments
come up f1)m the people. or we may
believe thct governments come down
to the people from those who possess
the heaviest cannons and the largest
| ships. but we cannot advocate both doc
trines.
house divided against itself cannot
stand: pnraphraslng l.incoln's declar.
alton. ! may add that this nation can
not endure half republic and half col
, ony-half free and half vassal Our
form OF government. even traditions.
our present interests and our future
welfare. all forbid our entering upon Il
career OF conquest.
port OF Imperialism. hut our opponents
must distinguish between expansion in
the Western Hemisphere and the ex.
pansion that involves us In the qunrrcls
OF Europe and the Orient. They must
still further distinguish between expan.
sion which secures contiguous terri.
tory for future settlement and cXpnn.
sion. and that which secures us alien
races for future subjugation.
Jefferson favored the annexation Of
necessary contiguous territory on the
North American continent. but he was
opposed to wars Of conquest. and ex.
pressly condemned the acquiring OF re-.
mote territory"
When asked how the colonial policy
could be prevented. Colonel Bryan said
Some think thnt the fight should bs
made against ratification OF the treaty
but l would prefer another plan. If the
treaty II rejected. negotiations must h,
renewed. and instead Of settling til,
question according tn our i,lcns, We
must settle 1t by diplomacy. with III,
possibility Of International complicn
| tions.
1T will be easier. I think. to end the
war at once by raikying the treaty
and then deal with the subjects In Oui
| own way. The issue can In presented
directly by n resolution OF Congress. de-
clnrlnH the policy OF the nation upon
this subject. The President In his mes
sige says that our only purpose In tax
Ing possession OF Cuba II to establish
u stable government and then turn
that government over To the people OF
Cuba. Congress could rcaiiirm this pur
pose In regard 10 Cuba and assert the
same purpose In regard To the Philip
pines and Porto Rico.
"Such n resolution would make q
| clear-cut Issue between the doctrine oi
, self government and the doctrine of i'm
Irrialisin. We should reserve u hafi,oi
and coailnR station In Porto Rro and
the Philippines In return for service,
| rendered. nnd l think We would In ju.
titled In nskihg the sninc concession
| from Cuba.
In the ease Of Porto Rico. where III,
peopl. have M yet Expressed no ie>!r,
for nn independent government. W.
might with propricty declare our VIII
lngncss To annex the island II the eli
| xcns desire annexation: hut the Philip
| pines Islands nrc too far away and their
people too different from ours To In, M,
nexed 10 the United States even n they
desired IT,"
Colonel Bryan leaves Savannah To
night FOR Washington nnd will nrriv.
thcr. "Wednesday afternoon. lie in
tends to enter actively Into the high,
aIains, the colonial policy.