The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-12-14
WHY COL. BRYAN
LEFT THE ARMY.
He Thinks This Nation Now in More
Danger Than Cuba
IMPERIALISM Is ANTAG0NlSTlC,
To the Cherished American Ideals
Our Nation VIII Never Endure
UaIfRepublic and Half Colony
No Career of Conquest.

SAVANNAH, GA, Dec. l3.-Colonel w.
J. Bryan, upon leaving his command TO-
day. the Third Nebraska Regiment, gave
the following interview;
my reason for leaving -he army was
set forth In my letter to the Adjutant-
General rendering my resignation. NOW
that the treaty OF peace has been con-
cluded. / believe that l can be more use
ful to my country as civilian tndn
soldier"
Colonel Brayn then proceeded 10 the
discussion Of public questions, saying:
1.-THE people OF the United States, hav-
ing rescued Cuba from foreign control
may now resume the discussion OF tho
domestic problems which confront this
nation. and 10 the consideration or the
questions arising out Of the war.
81 may be in error, but in my judg-
ment our nation is I'm greater danger just
now than Cuba. Our people defended
Cuba against foreign arms; now they
must defend themselves and their coun-
try against a foreign idea-the colonial
idea OF European nations. Heretofore
greed has perverted the Government and
used its instrumental interferences for
private gain, but now tho very founda-
ton principles of our Government are
assaulted
THE IDEA ANTAGONISTIC.
"The imperlalistic idea IS directly anita
gOnistic to the idea and ideals which
have been cherished by fhe Ameri-
can people since the signing of the De-
claration of Independence. Our nation
must give up any intention Of entering
upon "a colonial policy (such as is now
pursued by European countrie9 or It
must abandon the doctrine that govern
a7eats derive their just powers from the
consent of the governed.
I'VE may believe that governments
come up from The people. or we may be-
lieve that governments come down to the
people from those who possess the heav-
les. cannons AMI the largest ships but
we cannot advocate both doctrines.
MUST BE ONE OR THE OTHER.
"To borrow a Bible quotation. a house
divided gainst itself cannot stand
Paraphrasing Lincoln's declaration,
may add that this nation cannot endure
half republic and half cOlony-haif free
and half vassal. our form of govern
mont, our traditions. our present In
terests AMI our future welfare all forbid
our entering upon career Of conquest.
NOT JEFFERSONIAN.
jefferson has been quoted I'm support
of imperialism, but our opponents must
distinguish between Imperialism and ex-
pansion: they must also distinguish be-
tween expansion in the Western Hemfs-
phere and an expansion that involves us
in the quarrels Of Europe and the Orient,
They must still further distinguish be-
tween expansion which secures contig-
uOus territory for future settlement and
expansion which secures US allen races
for future subjugation. Jefferson favored
the annexation Of necessary contiguous
territory on the North American conti-
nent, but he was opposed 20 wars OF con-
quest. and expressly condemned the ac-
curing Of remote territory"
THE COLONIES PLAN.
When asked how the colonial policy
could be prevented, Colonel Bryan said:
Some think that the fight should be
made against the ratification of the
treaty but | would prefer another plan
n tho treaty IS rejected negotiations
must be renewed, and instead Of settling
tho question according 10 our ideas we
must settle 1t by diplomacy. with the pos
sibility Of international complications
II will be easier I think 20 end the war
at once by ratifying the treaty and then
deal with the subject in our own way.
The issue can be presented directly by a
resolution OF Congress declaring the
policy Of the nation upon this subject.
The President says tn hts message that
Rpoo'ooiCli
Cuba is 20 establish a stable govern
ment and then turn that government
over 10 the people of Cuba. Congress
could reaffirm this purpose in regard TO
Cuba AMI assert the same purpose In
regard 10 the Philippine Islands and
Porto Rico, Such a resolution would
make clear-cut issue between the doc
trine Of self-goyernment and che doc
trine Of Imperialism. We should reserve
a harbor and coaling station in Porto
Rico and the Philippines in return for
services rendered. and l think we would
be justified IN asking the same concession
from Cuba.
MIGHT ANNEX PORTO RICO
In the case OF Porto Rico, where the
people have as yet expressed no desire
for an independent government, we might
with propriety declare our willingness
TO annex the island If the citizens desire
annexation: but the Philippine Islands
are too far away and their people too
different from our to be annexed 10 the
United States even II they desired it,"
Colonel Bryan leaves Savannah to-
night for Washington and will arrive
there Wednesday afternoon. He Intends
40 enter actively into the fight against |
the colonial policy. In fact. II is evident |
that this was the main cause that led to |
his resignation.