The herald., 1898-12-05
THE EXPANSION ISSUE
THREATENS TO SPLIT THE OLD
PARTIES
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
Will Propose the Annexation of the
Philippines as Colonies-Would
It Be CONSTITUTIONAL

WASHINGTON, Nov. 29.-(Special Cor
respondence to The Herald.) AS the vari-
Gus congressman return to this city and
place themselves on record in regard to the
manifold problems that arise, directly or
Indirectly, out of expansion" it becomes
steadily more and more apparent that an
issue has been precipitated that is likely to
split the old parties into fragments.
The Democratic party, as free trade,
free silver party which has been responsible
lfor all the earlier anneXations OF territory
by the United States, might be expected
to favor expansion. The annexation of the
Philippines and their becoming part of this
country would naturally be a long step to-
wards general 5free trade, and as the Philip
pines use silver, would unQuestionably help
the white metal Yet the Democrats gen
orally oppose annexation, the sugar-raising
states being especially bitter against it.
The Republicans, on the other hand,
would be expected to oppose it, for the very
reasons that the Democrats should favor it.
publicans favor it, New England is bitterly
opposed to it.
Meanwhile President Mckinley sticks tc
his old policy of conciliating everybody. 1t
is generally understood that his message
to congress will propose that the Philip
pines, and perhaps Porto Rico as well, shall
be annexed. not as territories, but as colo
nies, and that tariff be laid against them
and that their citizens be excluded.
On the power TO do this parties are again
divided against themselves. Most of the
Democrats who have expressed themselve.
on the subject think that the United State,
has no power to hold colonies; they main
tain that the moment annexation is accom-
plished, the territory annexed will become
part of the United States and its citizens
ard its products will be entitled to free ad
mission. 1t is understood that certain Chi
nese from Manila are already trying to en-
tier the United States on this plea. On the
other hand, the Republicans generally hav,
maintained that it is possible for the United
Estates to hold colonies in the European
sense of the term.
To show how party lines are broken, it il
lonly necessary to cite such distinguished
men as ex-senator Edmunds, Senator Hoar
and Andrew Carnegie, who are understood
Ito maintain that the United States has n,
such power; while such Democrats as Sen
ator Morgan maintain that it has. Senator
Morgan, indeed, asserted today that the
United States could deal with the Philip
lrlnes Just as it had dealt with the Indians
1t can contine them to their reservations
forbid their buying whisky and tirearm
and do anything else that any European
power might dounder similar circumstances
Thus. he thinks we can exclude the Chinese
l.c Al of pH
Iput a duty on sugar from Porto Rico ant
Hawaii In fact, he asks pertinently, how
it is that duties are now collected agains
the latter place unless We have power t
levy duties against our colonial possessions
Military control is not involved here.
Thc constitution, Senator Morgan says
is entirely an internal agreement for tn,
protection of the individual states, and has
nothing to do with outside matters. Neithe
the Philippines nor Porto Rico will neces
sarily be parts of the union, but will merel,
be possessions of the United States, which
it can govern as it may see fit.
But though maintaining the right of the
United States to exercise sovereign right
in matters outside of the country. Senator
Morgan is opposed to placing all other coun
tries on an equal footing with us in th
trade of these colonies. No one, he says
has asked or expected England to deere,
the "open door" in her crown colonies Tha
term has been understood, in the past, tc
apply only to leased territory, such as Kaic
Chau, bay, leased by Germany, and not t;
territory owned by country, as We shal
own the Philippines.
Thus it appears, that party lines ar,
broken, not only on the powers of tn,
United States government but also on it
policy in dealing with the new possessions
1t would be rather amusing if the Edmund
and Carnegies should prove to be right, ant
if free trade received its greatest extensio,
by the act of William Mckinley. high prizes
of protection.
CRITTENDEN MARRIOTT.