New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-10-06


To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir: There points In the letter OF your
Malone correspondent referring to imperialism that
appear TO be in error and seem to call for notice
through your columns.
In reading my article your correspondent ap-
parenty the swallow. but missed the barn.
Had the criticisms been attempted from a care
full reading OF the article in The Tribune of Sep
TENDER Z, it would have been apparent that tho
reference 10 Rome was merely incidental. not
primal or important as regards the real question
Of territorial conquest referred to.
The changed conditions existing and those
under the Roman State are everywhere recognzed
yet this does not alter the generally recognized
fact that territorial ACKNOWLEDGMENT, with the ac-
companying demoralizing influence OF inferior races
and confscated riches. Of the most potent
factors in the downfall Of Rome, or that the pres
ent conditions offer any guarantee against similar
influences having like tendency now
The very principle Of territorial expansion calls
for great armies and powerful navies. This OF It
self becomes menace to the spirit Of peace and
international goodwill as bly, as the tides
The recent and present condition Of the European
Governments clearly illustrates the tendency OF
imperialism. At the very time the American ex-
pansionists are growing eloquent the proud
boast Of our imperiastic tendency the head OF the
greatest of all military powers, recognizing the
terrible strain of this principle of increasing arina-
nlent. startles the world by calling halt. and In
vites conference of the Powers TO undertake to
negotiate and undo tais spirit Of conquest and the
military force that is al integral accompaniment
Of such q policy.
1t Is an Interesting coincidence that the Car OF
Russia-perhaps Of all men tie most competent to
Judge OF the effects of the imperial policy-should
issue his great peace manifesto against increasing
armament at time when this country with all
It's alleged love OF peace and the blessings Of a
national government free from foreign entangle-
ments and warlike complications to mar our pros
perity as the great peace nation Of the world
should be even considering the question OF +dopt-
ing such policy.
The fighting instincts Of humanity have appar-
entity not been eradicated. Our own Civil War was
one Of the mos; terrible wars OF history Germany
and France few years later followed with an old
time European conflict. and have since been watch
ing the opportunity for renewing the test OF mill
:ary strength. But yesterday. as II were. the Turk
was allowed the free butchery OF the Armenians.
and "our neiehbors in the Orient" the japanese.
have played havoc with the whoi. Chinese Empire
Is 1t not contempt for history to overlook these
underlying conditions and endeavor TO proceed on
the dangerous ground Of imperlalistic tendency as
though our destiny was war and conquest rather
than peace and higher civilization. thus 70 adj
vance rather than retard the progress Of nations?
The inference that this nation should acquire
distant foreign territory as n matter OF necessity
IN national growth-that II VIII otherwise be kept
as a babe in swaddling clothes-is hardly tenable
for the reasons first that the nation Is already one
OF the foremost Of the world: second. that this
position has been attained by the persistent FUR
suance OF policy the direct reverse OF imperial
ISM and third our imperialstic friends. V bile
claiming the need of territorial expansion for the
purpose Of growth in the same position recognizes
that the nation is already young giant and maxi
ing prodigious strides without the complications Of
Another fact that has been apparently overlooked
in the glowing prospects held out By the typan-
&c changing Kaleidoscope
Of international relations. When President Ceve-
an5 Tissue as for months great in
and public over what might happen between this
many enthusastic advocates of territorial exton-
sion are advocating an alliance with ENGLAND. The
that any unexpected move on the international
chessboard may preepiate, conditions that are
possible by the great majority OF people North or
South previous TO the how Of nS peepe
Of this country or in Spain EXPECTED declaration
Oh 1t wa is the Unexpected in nstona NJ. well in
other matters that often happens Suppose the
eoes Justify on and our lines Of
seacoast are augmented by hundreds or thousands
Of miles by h ns eTerTSns OF ee Ain Again
the Kaleidoscope changes. and from some unex
esssP SS Tnsa cn W n SS
oils? In such event how much OF ,,so navy and
9uir@ 10 maintain distant territorial possessic,s;
and what will be the position of Imperialism should
these or similar conditions occur? They may not
now expected. yet the creation OF ne conGltlons
through territorial extension make them possible
and at time in the future judging ron the
history of the past not altogether impTobaole
When war was declared IL was recognized that
there could be eventually but one result the cVin
plete victory Of the United states. But tho matter
Of government Of the islands Which Is so conn
IDENTIFY mentioned and often fppantly referred 70 as
such simple and easy problem. Involves s'rlo oa
questions aside from the one Of foreign conI'ca..
fions that must appeal to the serious nouSht OK
ali Intelligent persons also the question Whelher
their retention and control by whatever m"tfod
may not prove constant menace 10 the peace anu
permanent welfare OF the country.
There is one reference In the article OF your CORE
spondent IN which concur. viz. that the views
against imperialism ARE shared ny large pro-
portion of our people: .o, ~, ~,rrc ,,v
Orange ~ j. September q 1898.
/.OAJ-CMOKE NUISANCE.