Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-08-24
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opening session of the national con-
ference at Saratoga for the discussion
OF an American foreign policy were
the addresses Of United States District
Judge Peter 8. Grosscup Of Chicago
and Hon. Carl Schurx of New York.
The question Of national expansion
was their theme, and the utterances
Of two such able men are sure to at
tract wide attention. Judge Grosscup
took the broad ground Of progressive
and patriotic Americanism. He adj
vocated policy of national expansion,
not only by enlarging our commercial
sphere Of activity and by the acquisi-
ton of territory without reference to
latitude or longitude. but also by
courageously assuming our share OF
responsibility for the worlds prog
ress and enlightenment through the
spread OF Anglo-Saxon civil liberty.
He showed the great good the war has
done us and the world; pointed out the
dangers of isolation; combatted the
distorted ideas as to the scope and
purpose of Washingtons farewell ad-
dress; and dwelt at length upon the
future Of Asia and the vast import
ance of our commercial relations there
He favored the acquisition of Hawaii,
he
part Of the Philippines, not only for
their own worth but for their value to
our commerce and our naval power.
Porto Rico guards the entrance to the
Caribbean which, when the Nicara-
guam canal Is complete, will be the
most important body of water on the
globe, and the other islands are step
ping stones upon which our commerce
and moral energy may safely cross to
the harvests Of the Orient. It was an
exhaustive and convincing argument
which Judge Grosscup made, one that
should be read and pondered over by
every intelligent citizen.
In striking contrast was the address
of Mr.. Schwurz. It's keynote was
Don't" and was expressive of the
timidity. doubt and pessimism which
are the chief characteristics Of policy
of negation. The speaker declared that
it would be an evidence of bad faith
and broken pledges to retain the
possessions captured from Spain in the
late war, because we announced speci-
fically that the war should be waged
for humanity and not for conquest.
He did not see that humanity de-
mands the crushing of Spanish power
on this continent and the relief of her
oppressed colonies everywhere. He
asserted that we could gain no COM
mercial advantages by retaining these
possessions, for the reason that statis-
tics prove that we are successfully
competing for trade in colonies with
the nations which control. He saw
safety only in isolation, and predicted
the destruction of the Anglo-Saxon
aEpublic If it departed from that
rs The weakest point in Mr.. Schurz's
address was in his attempt to convey
the impression that the annexation of
Porto Rico, for instance, would entitle
it to congressional representation, and
that eventually our elections and legis-
lation would be controlled by our new
ly admitted citizens. This really is
not more erroneous than all that pre-
coded 1t, but only more palpably err
roneous. Mr. Schurz must know that
none of the possessions captured from
Spain will be admitted as a state.
New Mexico. Arizona, Oklahoma and
Alaska were acquired by conquest and
purchase, but the people of those terri
tories do not control the result of our
elections nor dictate our legislative
policies.
In view of Mr. Schurzs misleading
attitude in these particulars 1t may be
well to examine his statements con-
corning broken pledges and CONNER
cial disadvantages. The United States
in declaring war against Spain made
only one specific declaration regarding
territorial conquest, and that related
to Cuba. The peace protocol does not
provide either for the cession or an
-nexation of Cuba, so that this country
has broken no promise. nor has it
shown bad faith. With reference to
the commercial aspect of annexation,
lit is true that the United States COM
petes successfully in colonies with
countries controlling the said colonies,
but this country" would have much
greater advantage IL it controlled the
'co1oniesitself and made the Iaws.regl-
lating trade therein. So: far as Cuba and
Porto Rico are concerned the policy of
this government is determined by the
peace protocol. The only open ques-
tiOn iS that Of the phi1ipninea J,tdue