The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-12-28
4 PPARENTLY there IL no diminution Of
~ inA In, ha o,.rarci0Y nUasfinf1

4 PPARENTLY there IL no diminution Of
~ interest In the expansion question
among the King county Democrats
That local Democratic leaders are divided
In their views on this question may be cas-
lily conceded. That they are divided in their
opinions as to the position that will be
taken by the state Democracy in its state
convention next year Is also true Demo-
Gratis are to be found who believe that the
Washington Democracy should declare for
the retention of the Philippine islands. but
who believe that the party will be aligned
with the national organization against such
a policy. On the other hand there are DEM
ocrats who, like Frederick Bauman. are
opposed to the maintenance of American
sovereignty in the Philippines but who be-
lieve that the Washington Democracy be-
ing Influenced by public sentiment in this
state, will declare for expansion.
Mr.. Bausman is welr known as one Of the
foremost Democrats of this state. He SUBJ
mitted to an interview yesterday in which
he was asked this question:
'what position will the Washington De-
mocracy take on expansion
He replied: MY expectation Is that the
Democracy of this state will be In favor OF
expansion. Do not understand by this that
myself am in favor Of that policy. On
the contrary, i am deepl-- opposed to it.
I am not however, insensible to the in
herent love of our race for new territory
by men who favor aggression as against
those who are simply opposed to change
Besides. 1t must be remembered that the
Democratic party was originally the party
of expansion, and. with perhaps one excep-
ton. all our great national acquisitions of
territory have been made by those presi-
dents whose pictures go frequently adorn
tho walls of Democratic clubs. This Is a
Western state, too. Western thoughts are
always more inclined to expansion. Thus,
little as / favor 1t myself, am of opinion
a DprnOrraffr
favor the acquisition of the new territory
in the Pacific.
II do not believe that the interests Of
the people of this state are involved in this
matter. After the subsistence of war ship
ments from these ports and the purchase Of
certain war supplies here, can see very
little immediate advantage to the people of
the state of Washington In the retention of
the Philippine islands. Hawaii was annex
ed some time ago. Does anybody discern
any Improvement in our trade with that
port? There may be a little Improvement,
but 1t Is exceedingly small. / do not think
we send out any more cargoes than We
did before to Hawaii, and our ships do net
bring back any heavier cargoes from those
Islands today. The cargoes have always
been light and the trade has not prospered
because it was not reciprocal. Has 1t i'm
proved since the annexation of those ISL
ands?"
Mr.. Bausman finally expressed his belief
that the retention OF the Philippines would
not contribute materially to the devotion
ment and prosperity of Washington. Said
he: "Our great products here are coal, lum-
Der, flour and fish. Now, coal will be not
much demanded by islands that are tropica.
and that have almost no manufactures
Our lumber will be little needed in the fu-
ture by population which has never shown
that 1t had the least need for 1t in the past
OF flour / am not able to speak. but
should not prophecy much demand for that
commodity by people who. outside of the
one city of Manila, are able to get their
food In large part from overhanging boughs
and from the simplest cultivation of the
soil. OF course. somebody may say that
this race will improve, and 50 1t WILL but 1t
viii he long time in doing so.
Now. as to return cargoes from the
Philippines have yet to hear from any
Of our mercantile sources here that much
in this respect can be expected. 1t is upon
an Interchange of commodities that com.
merce by sea must thrive. Their few
staples are not in great demand at this
port. The great Asiatic trade which this
port will undoubtedly develop will be with
China and Japan. countries incomparablr
more advanced than the Philippines in
civilization. The Philippine islands, in fact,
are Judged too mucG by Manila, which Is a
considerable town. On the whole do not
see any reasonable or fairly immediate
commercial gains to this state from the
retention of the Philippines; certainly not
enough to influence political ideas. Still,
cannot avoid the feeling that when 1t comes
to a debate on questions of this kind,
of retaining the Philippines unless tba
events of the coming year should show thar
they cannot be retained without expendi-
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