New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-17
KEEPING THE PHILIPPINES.
CHAUNCEY NJ DEPEW AGAINST IHbiH
PERMANENT ACQUISITION BY THE
UNITED STATES

can Cub the last he will preside over until mex,
fall. He will depart for Europe next SATURDAY 10
remain till July His subject was the desire 'of
colonial extension swe. ping over this country ana
he declared himself opposed 10 the retention oil inc
Philippines a permanent possession oil TINS "o''
ernment.
The speech followed report OF the 'omIn''tee
on National Affairs. in which doctrine OF TERRI
toral expansion for this country which should look
forward to the possession OF Hawaii all the Con-
incnt OF America and the Islands In the Ataht'c
near the coast was recommended. under the con-
ditlons that these acquisitions should not be MADE
through conquest but on the Applications OF 'ne
peoples themselves that no continental possessions
should be acquired except or near the continent
Of America and no considerable number OF people
should he taken In part OF this Nation TIL they
had shown themselves capable Of self-Government
The report adopted with one dissenting vote
rs the sentiment OF the club. but not until MI
Depew had been satisfied that the permanent ac-
qulrement Of the Philippines not Included In
the recommendation.
After the adoption Of the report Mr.. Depew an
nounced his departure for Europe and said that he
wanted to take advantage OF his last opportunity
Of speaking to the club to start a discussion or
some phases Of the subject that had been under
discussion. He said In part;
I was IN Washington a few days ago and found
that the members of Congress there were treading
on air in their anticipation OF a complete victory
FOR this country In the war with Spain within
few weeks. can't exactly agree with this rosy
View They say that will land expedition on
Havana and take IT. I am afraid that they viii
9G thernssyos mistaken am afTaid shat tnsy
on tn. island VII not let them march up 70 aro ma
losses side These Spanish soldiers are poorly
armed and poorly fed Perhaps thy are also sne
must admit that the spanish sailors at Manila
died like men. and their brothers In cuba VIII ight
spain is credited with being still medieval
the Moors They have not changed bit. II IL true
that Spain has lost In every foreign war for many
years. but It also that Spain has never been
the party TO make Syertures for peace she c has
cert OF Power TO stop hshtng haye no 20 qou ort
ships that the Cape Verd fleet will be destroyed
and that our boys Will make Their march up TO
Havana, but It may take longer than We have been
people Of th, country went into thl, war /.
to think what would have happened II England had
not stood by side In this trouble. =; IL a fact
been made to induce her to Join with the othe.
pw n a. on ssI to 0p h . have she BEEN aa
c9mbned feet over here 10 raise our Havana ma
Now. IN my daily busln.ss have clipped out for
Every morning they are placed before me, so that
can see how things that may have some esa snIs
sesns whe' strong feeling Is spreading, oyer hs
people are infatuated with he idea OF having co,
lonial possessions. with the daily drum beat around
"A
EAT hs aV NH '' es f'" Any HIo 70
polica end siT any number Of lines. and am going
to r,k saying what mink about this cIare
consTess and he Tesiasn; solemnly aeels Md tina,
Sarp 20 be a %S 0a so BACK Rs On @
deeeraiion and to stand convicted IN he opinions
% w Ssnno % 80 into S @,
r.,oral expansion without complete change In our
we 80 into tho international grab for "A part OF
china. How are We TO reconcile our actions with
We arc talking OF keeping the Philippines. Let
US sec what The keeping OF them VIII Involve They
millions rir, Of Maisy-. Chinese Japanese and other
o, years these peoples have known no sort OF gov
ernncnt except that Of their piratcal chiefs They
sor "o o sovsnmen To- ro them Would require
a strong military government on the island; how
pendence with this7 Can We say Taxation without
Representation Is tyranny except when We are get
fnsland's colonial expansion has been &c, carried
little trade expansion IN tho Philippines Most OF
the people out there are savages and don't wear
many clothes Tina, kind Of trade expansion won't
10 our cotton and woocn manufacturers much
good In starting ont on mis- new venture o, ex-
porsion will have TO maintain an immense Army
and Navy TO enforce our demands and protect our
rights IN tho colonies. Just soc what this VIII
i@ orSo VIII have to be borne mainly by taxes at
trade that she can tax her merchants Can we go
into such heavy system Of home taxation az ms
taxes. which pay with little grumhling We
very rarely feel the State tax. Whenever we do
II means change ~ administration Just let
| per cent difference IN state taxes come THIS year
and you will a Democratic Governor and Legs
.ature next year Our Federal tax don't feel
at all II Is raised by customs duties. and the
people generally do no. know they are paying II.
Free from taxes they look with great reverence
To tire Federal Government.
what VIII come with colonial expansion. with It's
consequent heavy military expenses? Why a more
extended system O. taxation direct upon The people
As IN ENGLAND. every piece OF business paper Will
IN 10
checks and on bills direct income tax Will he In
evitabl~ This would mean end TO the superior
condition Of the American lahorng man. With the
increased taxation there would come less wages FOR
him This sort Of thing would he ntolerable In
America after what have been used 70. II
would mean Socialism
The launch into a career 81 colonial expansion
the part Of this country would involve complete
change In national ideals national tradition and
national character. II would mean an abandon
ucnt ~ our policy OF seclusion nd peaceful rela
lions with ali the world And know not what
our future would be. Only the difficulties and the
dangers certain.
A | said the wave Of desire FOR colonial
pansion like Englanf's is sweeping over tho land.
Who knows but that II may sweep every sane con-
sidcration before II. az did the war fever A few
weeks ago? It may mean the political death Of
any OF influence to try 10 stem II. But Wa
must try find ont way OF checking this In
I.fgr II ma ~ IN rvar