The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-08-26
EXPANSION IS THE TOPIC.
MEN IN ALL WALKS OF LIFE ARE
NOW DISCUSSING 1T.

Savannah Divided on the Question
of Adopting 81 New National Policy
of Annexation and Imperialism
what Few Leading Citizens say
of a Matter That Is Agitating the
Entire Country and Dividing PO-
liticaI Parties on New Lines.
Many Afraid of the Jump in the
Dark.
There is a marked division of opinion in
Savannah, as there is doubtless every
where as to the wisdom OF the proposed
new national policy Of expansion. There
are ''expansionists" here, as they are now
termed, aud there are "nOn-eXpansion-
lists" and a census would doubtless re-
veal that among those who have given the
matter any consideration and who are pre-
pared to express themselves the feeling
one way or the other is already as strong
as the sentiments on the Old questions
that have divided men in their political
views and affiliations.
Comparatively few men. either in busi-
ness walks or in the professions, are yet
prepared to definitely arraign themselves
on the question except in so far as it con-
Germs the islands of the West Indies. So far
as Cuba and Porto Rico is concerned the
general impression In all classes appears
to be that this country should control and
be in actual possession of both. While
many favor a strict adherence to the orig
inal plan of establishing a stable indie
pendent republic on the Island of Cuba,
there are few, if any, here who seem to
believe that this will prove practicable.
The impression is prevalent that in the
end the United States will be forced to
annex the island.
Many men are now considering the
question from the standpoint. not merely
of trade, but as regards the higher ques-
lions of the ultimate effect upon the ma
tional life and government. Judge Robert
Falligant for instance, regards the ques-
lions as one, the decision on which should
be approached after the most careful con-
sideration and with the utmost gravity.
81 am a firm believer in the principles laid
down by the fathers of the republic" said
he yesterday, land before changes of so
important nature, and fraught with such
possible far-reaching consequences, are
made In the policy that has so far pre-
vailed and led us to such a condition of
unrivaled prosperity and stability of po-
litical institutions, I believe ample time
should be given for consideration. The
rapid course of events in this war, and the
rapidity with which action may ensue rel
alive to new territory, may render it i'm
possible for the wisest craftsmanship to be
exercised. 1 am convinced of the mar
vellous adaptability, or fexibility, of
American institutions to new conditions.
1t may be that they would prove equal 10
any emergency, even to that of wisely
governing remote colonies with peoples
having nothing in common with us in SEN
timent or training. Before 1 should at
tempt to give an opinion on the wisdom
of the aggressive expansion policy that
many advocate, 1 should want time in
which to study It from every light. 1t
does not do to be carried away by enthus-
iasm or sentiment. The idea of a world
wide empire, l know appeals to young
America, with its dreams of wonderful
wealth and greater achievements in the
coming years. but caution is virtue not
to be despised."
Many other men are as inhexible in their
opposition to the new policy as they have
been to free silver or 10 some other finan-
cial or economical policy in the past. S.
y. Adams, Esq. for instance proclaimed
asked for his views. THE prosperity of
our country with anti-eXpansion theories
prevailing suggests that We had better let
well enough alone" said he. Il would
fear entanglements and complications that
might be incident to another and untried
policy. 1t seems to me that our location,
cut off as We are physically and other
wise from European politics, suggests
that It is wise to adhere TO the long-es-
tablished policy of this government and
the views of it's founders. Outside of
this, I believe our citizenship has all the
strain ii can stand. l, for one, don't
want any Sandwich Islanders and Fill
pinos as fellow citizens. l would rather
prefer to give them a considerable per
cent. of our own population. We are suf-
ficiently heterogeneous now. have much
faith in the virilty of American civillza-
ton but there may be a limit to both its
capacity and its endurance"
Judge Thomas NJ. Norwood is another
who may be classed as anti-Phnppine
Island anneXationists. 1T is so contrary
to the policy of this government from the
time of Washington down that l do not
think the United States ought to under
take it," said he. LAS regards the other
islands, Cuba and Porto Rico we ought
to have them. | believe that the public
sentiment is one on that matter, and that
1t Is well based. 1t is essential to our
health, 10 our material interests and 10
our defense. They come to us by right
of conquest, they have been fairly won in
war, and their absorption would be In
line with the Monroe doctrine, which is
now and must ever be a great vital force
I'm this hemisphere. I think we should
keep faith with the Cubans, in accord
with the resolution passed when war was
declared, and see that q government, good
and stable, is established and maintained
If they prove incapable of conducting such
a government we should take the island
as part of our territory. We cannot be
expected to maintain a perpetual protec-
torate But deliver us from the Philip
pine Islands"
Judge II. D. D. Twiggs is In the same
class with Judge Norwood. He does not
regard the efforts to create a sentiment
favorable 20 SEEING the Philippine islands
with favor. Let us own Porto Rico"
said he, which Is close at hand, with
trade conditions all favorable, and which
can be controlled and governed easily.
Possession of the Philippines would. /
fear, force us into endless foreign compli-