The Irish standard., 1898-12-17
him in his mad career and save the re-
public from destruction.
PLAYING ENGLAND's GAME.


An occasional contributor to the Irish
World, whose productions are usually
| characterized by sound sense and politi-
cal sagacity, writes an instructive article
under the initials ''W. M. c." in last
weeks issue of our esteemed contempt
rary, showing that the Mckinley policy
of territorial expansion has been insti-
gated and dictated by the British govern
ment for its own selfish ends. In the
course of two column article the writer
truthfully says:
1t was in the brains of British not of Amer
ican, statesmen that the whole scheme was
matched and developed. American diplomats
are like children In the hands Of their more
experienced British manipulators. And
When the whole truth of the Spanish war
comes to be told it will be found that the
great ana beneticent favor that England con-
ferred on America was not the securing Of
the other nations NATURALIZATION it Is now
admitted that there never was any ques-
ton OF their interference-but 1t consisted In
ulie pan OF expansion and the working out
OF the details so that. as Lord Salisbury
said. they would certainly conduce to Eng
lands interests. The great favor was not
conferred on America, but on the helpless.
unsophisticated. incompetent members of
.tto aiuHiiisttatlon VINO cannot find words
10 express their Indebtedness to their Eng
lish friends for coaching them. History will
picture Pauncefote leading an American
president by the nose. amid the la,tter's
loud professions of obligation to the former
Tor conducting him in this highly dignifed
manner.
The purpose of England in urging Presi-
dent Mckinley to seize the Philippines is to
prevent them falling into the hands Of other
european powers, and ITO drag America in
10 an alliance or a cooperative connc.ezasl
with herself IN Chinese affairs. So long
as we had no possessions in the vicinity. We
could treat all nations alike and enjoy the
advantages of the friendship Of all. But
France and Germany are not blind to the
TACT tnilt england thrusts us into the Philip
pines to BAR them out. And they are not
blind to the further fact that the American
system Is utterly incompetent to govern
these Islands. and that after trial of the
job and natural failure the group will
certainly be transferred, for some paltry
consideration, to England in the end.
But the most serious effect of this OK
panston policy is that the prestige and replI-
nation the United States has deservedly
acquired in the past hundred years are about
TO be destroyed and transformed, so that, in
stead OF being accounted the most high
minded and generous Of nations we are
about to win the character of the most
selfish, sordid and Unsuitable Our moral
character is to be degraded and dishonored
we are TO parade before the world as in
eXorable and unmercifu opDressors and
punderers of the weak, and of foes who
III the hour of victory were capable Of unut-
terabe meanncss and rapacity. Under the
malign tutelagc of English mentors we are
In danger of losing our constitutional liber-
ties and-worsc than all-our hitherto un-
sullied good name. Flow the English gov
ernins people will gleat over the fact that
America in morality has been brought down
to the English level! The day may come
soon when the English machinery for deal
ing with subject peoples will be adopted by
America, and artificial famnes. land con-
liscations, dum-dum Bullets and Queen Vic
toras latest device of cutting the threats
OF the wounded on the field of battle will
cease to awaken any revolt in the Ameri-
can conscience. The policy of expansion is
sure to conduce to restriction of our lber-
critics. increase of our standing army and
general decentralization.
We are doing England's dirtiest work aud
worse than pulling her chestnuts out of the
fire. And as further proof we find the
Washington folk prop6sng to give England
an open door" in our new possessions in
stead of securing all the advantages of them
for ourselves And this they do to pay Eng
pacity! One can hardly conceive of any
thing more disgrIcefuf to America, in the
character Of the big bully than showing
gratitude to England for helping her to
whip poor little Spain.
1t would be more to the purpose If the
people OF the United States, after listen
ing to England'S sinister suggestions, should
reply: 1T will go hard If we do not better
the instruction." Then they should resolve
to carry out an expansion policy Of their
own by extending the limits of the republic
In the natural and most profitable direction;
that is northward. 1t is Canada. not the
Philippine islands. that we should and must
have,