The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1898-05-14
A New Policy.

When the war with Spain is over that coun-
try will be shorn of all her foreign possessions,
aud will be low in the scale of maritime pow
ers and weak on land also.
The United States will likely branch out as
great naval power, and their policy VIII DE
directly contrary to that pursued ever since
the government was established, one hundred
and twelve years ago.
In going to war our avowed purpose was
the pacifcation of Cuba and the establishment
of a stable government, and conquest ana
territorial ACKNOWLEDGEMENT were disavowed'
Our first blow was at the Philippine islands.
It was deemed necessary to have a base of OPP
erations in the East, as all ports there were
closed to our ships, and the islands were
easily taken. Having taken them United
States authority had to be established, as the
insurgents we're incompetent to govern the
islands.
Cuba is soon to fall into our hands. and 1t
will be found that the insurgents there are
also incompetent to give the island stable
government. Persecution and rebellion would
continue, though the oppressed would become
the oppressors Trustworthy information
lust received by an American who had been
two months with the insurgents shows that
they have not more than three thousand
available men and their warfare has been only
of the guerilla order The insurrectionists III
Porto Rico will be found incompetent to gov
arm the island, and the United States will
have to govern it, also.
The ACQUISITION of these will he followed
by the annexation OF Hawaii, and to protect
and hold these new possessions will require
large increase in our standing army and the
building of a navy equal to that of the great
est of naval powers.
And it begins to look, too, that hereafter
the United States, Great Britain and Japan
will be close friends i'll international affairs.
IF the United States branches out a. great
naval power, with foreign possessions, as now
seems probable, the friendship of Great Brit
ain and Japan will be very desirable. and the
combination may be powerful enough to com
mand peace.
We doubt the propriety of IL change IN the
policy pursued by this government since ITS
foundation-a policy of attending to our own
affairs solely and with no entanglng alliances
with other governments. The United States
ha had 10 need for much of navy or army,
hut we shall have to have both If the policy
he changed. The army and navy officers
will favor the change, and they will be joined
by host of aspiring politicians who will de-
sire to serve the government, at good salaries.
as office-hoiders in the new passions.
The new possessions are likely to cost more
than the advantages secured will benefit us.
Rebellions against our authority may be eN-
pected in time, and the new policy will also
bring new international complications. The
new naval officers will become tired OF peace
and long for active service and opportunity TO
seek fame. and will find Il way to crafty their
wishes.
Let the United States adhere to the long
pursued policy of the past, and live IN peace
Let US develop our resources, perfect our
government, pay off the national debt, eStab-
lsh mere permanent tax laws and inaugurate
a stable financial system. These matters are
far more important and more creditabIe than
foreign cOnquests and an ambition to vie with
the monarchies of the old world in land and
naval forces. No nation can now successful
y attack us. With foreign possessions We
will have more territory to defend.