The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1898-12-16
AGAINST EXPANSION.
W. J. Bryan Interviewed About Re-
cent Territorial Acquisitions.
HE FAVORS RATIFYING The TREATY
Americans Must Distinguish between Ex-
pansiou In the Western Hemisphere and
Expansion la the Orient which
Brings Us Allen Races.

Savannah, Ga, Dec. II. Col. Will
liam j. Bryan, upon leaving his COM
mand yesterday, the Third Nebraska,
gave the following interview:
My reason for leaving the army was set forth
In my letter to the adiutant general rendering
my resignation Now that the treaty OF peace
has been concluded believe that | can be
more useful to my country as a civilian than o
soldier
Col. Bryan then proceeded to the dis
cussion of public questions saying:
The people OF the United States having res
cued Cuba from foreign control may now re-
sumo the discussion OF the domestic problems
which confront this nation and to the consid-
GRAFTON Of the aow questions arising out of the
war l may be In error, but In my judgment
our nation is in greater danger just now than
Cuba Our people defended Cuba against for
eign arms; now they must defend themselves
and their country against foreign idea--the
colonial idea OF European nations, Heretofore
greed has perverted the government and used
its instrumental Interference for private gain
but now the very foundation principles OF our
government IRE assaulted.
Tho mperialstic idea is directly untago-
nistic to the idea and ideals which have been
cherished by the American people since the
signing of the declaration of independence.
Our nation must give up any intention Of en-
tering upon II colonial policy (such rs is now
pursued by Europcun countriGSI or IL must
abandon the doctrine that governments derive
their Just powers from the consent OF the gov
erned.
We may believe that governments come up
from the people or we may believe that govern
ments come down to the people from those who
possess the heaviest cannons and the largest
ships but we cannot advocate both doctrines.
To borrow Bible quotation; "A house divided
against itself cannot stand" paraphrasng
Liucoln's declaration. may add that this ma
tion cannot endure halt republic and half col
ony-half free and half yassal Our form OF
government even traditions our present in
terests and our future welfare. all forbid our
entering upon career Of conquest
Jefferson has been quoted In support OF i'm
perialism but our opponents must distinguish
between eXpanslo ion m the western hemisphere
and an expansion that Involves us in the quar-
rels OF Europe and the orient They must
stil further distinguish between expansion
which secures contiguous territory for future
settlement and expansion which secures US
alien races for future subiugatlon, Jefferson
favored the annexation OF necessary contigu-
GUS territory on the North American conti-
nent but he was opposed to wars OF conquest
and expressly condemned the acquiring OF re-
mote territory
When asked how the colonial policy
could be prevented Col. Bryan said:
Some think thar the lght should he made
against ratification OF the treaty, but would
prefer another plan. II the treaty is rejected
negotiations must 90 renewed and instead Of
settling the question according TO our ideas WI
must settle II by diplomacy, with the posi-
billy OF international complications 1t will
be easier, think 20 end the war at once b,
ratifying the treaty and then deal with the sub
feet in our own way, The issue oan be presented
directly by resolution of congress declaring
the policy OF the nation upon this subject TIT
president, In his message, says that our onll
purpose In taking possession OF Cuba is 10 es
tablish stable government aud then turn tina
government over TO the people OF Cuba Con
Rress could re-aifirm this purpose In regard Il
Cuba and assert tina Same purpose In regard u
the Phllipnine islands and Porto RioO