The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-03-04
IMPERIALISM!
MI. Macdonald Gives Iiber-
alists' Idea At Whittier
House Last Evening.
DOESN'T FAVOR HOLDING PHILIPPINES
Thinks England and America
Capable of Governing But
But Not Civilizing.
DOESN'T FAVOR HOLDING PHILIPPINES

Among the course of delightfully."- i'm
structive lectures which are being given
under the direction of Whittier House,
through the fundamentally of Miss
Bradford, was that on imperialism and
Democracy delivered last evening by
Mr.. J.. R. Macdonald, of London, the
Liberal candidate for the House of Com
mons. Mr.. Macdonald is as could be
easily surmised from his NSeotch-English
accent, by berth a Scotchman, and while
his views on imperialism agree with those
of Rudyard Kipling, he does not believe
in it as a good policy.
His views are not exactly American.
Looking at the matter from the Engllsh
standpoint, thai of superiority n SUBJ
mission, he seems 10 lose sight of the
American policy of brotherhood and love,
and seems to think America may make
the same mistake of good government,
but non-civilization in the Philippines and
Cuba, that the English made in Africa and
India, Notwithstanding the fact that in
his address, he made the statement that
ian American politician is not an English
politician
1--WE have no clear democratic head, at
present. in our politics. said he, speak
ing of England. 'sWhen the Democratic
or Liberal candidate wins it is simply be-
cause we are Disguised with the other
party. we nave been more severely bit
ten by Imperialism than YOU
For this state of affairs he gave four
reasons: First, Mr.. Kipling's literary
work" which he explained as a rougn
barbaric work of art, quick to seize on
the shop-keeping and barbaric elements,
from the Soldier in India" to the Re
cessional,, all of the same emotional
force. with no Liberal idea. Mr.. Kip
ling's inRuence,'' said he, lis not popu-
lar Nevertheless it has seized upon our
political men"
The second cause he gave as Mr. Cecll
Rhodes and Africa, saying that the Eng
lish people had an idea that Africa was
theirs, tracing the reason through the
various explorers, Livingston, Stanley
and several others, to Mr.. Rhodes Win
his claimed discovery of gold reefs, whlch
completed the trick in which reilglon
and speculation Joined hands with a new
sense of imperialism"
The third cause was laid at the door
of Egypt. which he claimed came in two
ways. First of all the English were proud
of what they had done in Egypt. You
co,,ld NOT do it," exclaimed he, addressing
the Americans. because you have not
the experience of governing subordinate
races" Frances interference was men
toned as the second way.
.sThe fourth reason" continued he,
again addressing the Americans, is your
selves. You nave stirred us up to emulate
your good deeds. We say, We have re-
sisted Imperialism for a long time, but
there is America, in all onscientiousness
a. democratic country. Have We not after
all made a. mistaken
Mr.. Macdonald then went on to show
the consequence of Imperialism in Eng
land. saving. 1.-THE result of the reflex
action of Imperialism is that we cannot
get the people to take an interest in home
affairs. while they will cheer and shout
over a lecture one and one-half hour long
on foreign Policy"
Mr.. Mcdonald further said that a ma
ton as a who'll is not a civilizing unit.
That the question is whether imperialism
promotes civilization. eve have not done
So said she. Even in Egypt. We are
simply sending out governors. The thing
that Democracy wants is not simply some
one to govern the people, but some one to
teach the people to govern themselves.
England and America, he said, were least
prepared to ~civflize others because they
had not the sympathy to put themselves
in the places Of the others and civilize
their natural traits.
When questioned in the debate which
the Philippines Mr.. Macdonald refused
to answer from the American standpoint,
but said if England were in the same
n~osjfion as America he should advise her
to make an international treaty by which
they could be governed n not take the
responsibility herself.