The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-03-03
CECIL RHODES.

Mr, Rhodes expressed admiration for
the work already done in Cuba and pre-
dicted that IL would be carried on in the
Philippines. The United States he con-
eidered one OF the nations best equipped
for colonization. and repeatedly ex-
claimed: You are taking TO ii like
pnother's milk" apparently with the
greatest delight.
He inquired with great int~est what
was the arguments OF the opponents OF
Imperialism in the United States. and
commented that they seemed TO be ami
mated by se,fishness. 1T is the duty OF
civilized nations TO take charge of the
barbarians and give them a white mans
government" he said. The United
States is one Of the great powers and
cannot escape this duty"
He did not believe that the United
States would ever withdraw its author
ity from Cuba, and thought the manner
in which Spain had been evicted from
her colonies ana the United States had
taken possession most business like.
Americas action In compensating Spain
for the Philippines surprised him. Il
would have bundled the Spaniards out
and made them pay a war indemnity"
was his comment.
He declared that the United States
could never withdraw from the Philip
pines. because it was their duty to give
these people a strong and good govern
ment: nor did he believe that when they
had begun to realize the results OF their
work there Americans would desire TO
abandon the policy. They might grumble
for time over the expense. but that
he. 70, n en-
rich. Why not abandon some OF the ex-
penses OF the pension list. which seemed
so unreasonably large. II economy was
necessary? Even If a large navy must
be built the United states could well af-
ford one.
So far as the fear of provoking for
eign entanglements and wars went,
while England and the United States
stood together and maintained their
present understanding which was prac-
tically an alliance no combination OF
powers dare menace them. To govern
colonies, the United States must or
ganlze a staff Of colonial officials. but
they would do that as easily as they
would organize a new navy.
To the suggestion OF the anti-im-
peralists that the Philippines would be
only the beginning of colonization, he
said: There are no more islands OF
the sea 10 be acquired They are all
taken up. The territory OF savage
races is practically all pre-empted by
the oi.ilized The ultimate work OF the
United states VIII be TO govern South
America. You will probably begin with
Mexico, acquire the Central American
states, then those on the continent OF
South America until you hold all the
country To the south OF you. These
states have incompetent governments
practically barbarian governments-and
II will be your duty TO give them the
white mans government. Mexico is
well governed but nation cannot de-
pend on one man. and when Diaz Is
dead II may be ruled no better than
before his time Southwark IS the log
teal direction OF the expansion OF the
United states. The Philippines came
TO you by accident; these neighboring
peoples IL will be logically your duty 10
provide for" when Blaine's efforts TO
arrange friendly compact between the
North and South American republics
were mentioned. Mr.. Rhodes called them
visionary. You will possess all those
states By force OF arms. and that within
century" he said. emphatically.
Asked if Canada would logically be
included IN this expansion, he said that
Canada hnd q good government. and.