The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-12-14

SAVANNAH, Ca, dec. 4S.-Coi' W IL
fam ]. Bryan, upon leaving his com-
mand to-day, the Third Nebraska Tegl-
ment, 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 COM
eluded, believe that can be more
useful 70 ms country as a civilian than
soldier"
Colonel Bryan then proceeded to the
discussion of public Questions, saying;
"The people OF the United States hav-
ing rescued Cuba from foreign control,
may now resume the decision Of the do
nestle problems which confront this ma
tIOn and to the consideration of the new
questions arising out of the war.
"I may be in error, but in my judg-
ment our nation Is in greater danger
Just now than Cuba. Our people de-
Tended Cuba against foreign arms; now
they must defend themselves and thelr
country against a foreign tdea-the COL
oninl idea OF European nations. Here
tofore greed has perverted the govern
ment and used It's instrumental inter-
ferences for private gain; but nop the
very foundation principles Of our gov
ernment are assaulted.
imperialism.
"The lmperlallstlc idea is directly an
tagonIstIc to the ideals which have
been cherished by the American people
since the signing OF the Declaration OF
Independence. Our nation must give up
any intention of entering upon q colo
nIaI policy (such as is now pursued by
European cOuntries). or 1t must aban-
don the doctrine that governments de-
rive their Just powers from the consent
OF the governed,
Jefferson has been quoted In support
of imperialism. but our opponents must
distinguish between imperialism ana
expansion; they must also distinguish
between expansion In the western hem
isphere and on expansion that Involves
us in the quarrels OF Europe and the
Orient They must stiIl further dlstin-
gulsh between expansion which secures
contiguous territory for future settle
ment and expansion which secures US
alien races for further subtHgatiol.
Jefferson favored the annexation OF
necessary contiguous territory on the
North American continent out ne 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;
As TO the Treaty.
Some think that the fight should be
made against ratification of the treaty,
but would prefer another plan. If the
treaty ls rejected, negotiations must be
renewed and instead of settling the
question according to our ideas we must
settle It by diplomacy, with the possl-
bIlity OF international complications. Il
will be easier. think, to end the war
at once by ratifying the treaty and then
deal with the subject N our way.
The issue can be presented directly by
a resolution OF Congress declaring the
policy OF the nation upon this subject
The President, in his message, says that
our only purpose In taking possession OF
Cuba is to establish stable govern
ment and then turn that government
over to the people of Cuba. Congress
could reafflrm this purpose in regard to
Cuba and assert the same purpose in
regard to the Philippine islands and
Porto Rico. Such O resolution would
make a clear cut issue between the doc
trlne Of self-Eovernment and the doc
trlne OF imperialism. We should re-
serve a .harbor and coaling station In
Porto Rico and the Philippines in return
for services rendered and 1 think we
would be Justified In asking the same
concession from Cuba.
In the case of Porto Rico, where the
people have rs yet expressed no desire
for an independent government, we
might with proprlety declare our will
ingness to annex the island II the citl-
zens desire annexation. But the Philip
pine islands are too far away and their
people too different from ours 10 be an
nexed TO the United States, even II they
desired It,"
Colonel Bryan leaves Savannah TO-
night for Washington and will arrive
there Wednesday afternoon. He In
tends to enter actively Into the fight
against the colonial policy.