Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1899-01-27
CANTON. SOUTH DAKOTA FRIDAY. JANUARY ~
THE COST OF IMPERIALISM.

THE COST OF IMPERIALISM.
Writing to the New York World,
Senator Caffery Of Louisiana presents
some interesting figures showing the
probable cost of imerialism. Senator
Caffery pointe out that the total ex-
psnditnres of the government for the
fiscal year ending June 80. 1897, the
last fiscal year before the war with
Spain, amounted to 1886, ,00o 900 He
then presents the statement of Secret
ary Gage, which shows that the total
expenditures for the fiscal year ending
Jnne 80. 1900 based upon the probable
expense Of colonial rule. will amount to
s8tt.0o0 600, probable increase for
the first year Of imperialism Of $s75, 900,
NOh more than the expense necessary
before the policy of imperialism had
been adopted.
In relation to the Philippines Senator
Caffery presents some figures of his own
figures that must certainly be regarded
as being entirely conservative. He est
imates the maintenance of an army of
$4,000 soldiers in the Philippines at
$75 00o. 900 per year. The maintenance
of the 1900 extra men called for bv the
secretary of the navy and the 5000 ex-
ira men demanded by the marine corps
billis placed at $15,750,O0O per year.
He then cites that the secre' ary Of the
navy has called for the building Of new
wsrships. estimated to cost about f1s
8oo.O a year for the next three years.
Becanse OF the tropical climate he places
the claims for pensions growing ont OF
military occupation Of the Philippines
at 45, ,oO0 600 year. For Notifications,
coast defenses improvements of rivers
and harbors and other expenses incid-
ent to public works in the Philippines
he estimates that $40, 600, OOo a year will
he required. In order to provide the
machinery for an improved order Of
civil government in the Philippines he
says at least IS, OOO, 900 a year will BE-
necessary For the expenses necessary in
the establishment of schools Senator
Cafferv adopts Senator Vests estimate
Of $10o. 000. 900 a year as being the low
es- possible cost in this line.
AS a result Senatory Caffery estimates
that Philippine acquisition will mean
an annual expenditure by the United
States government of 1921. $50 600. He
then points ont that more than 800. 900,
90, a'year will be lost in revenue here.
tofore collected for duties on sugar and
tobacco. which under Philippine an.
nexation wou'd come in free. He shows
that the largest revenue ever collected
by Spain from the Philippines in one
year was &13. 900, 900.
Even though the Philippine revenue
nnder the United States government
would amount to as much az under
Spanish rule. according to Senator CAT.
fery's figures there wonld still remain
''more than $eOO, 600, 600 a year of i'm
perisl expenditures raised by new tax.
alton of tho American people"
Senator Caffsry points out that the
capitalization Of 5000, 600, 900 at per
cont would represent an addition to our
national debt of nearly $6,7OO, 600 900,
That sum he shows to b. three times as
largo ~ the total amount of the civil
war debt of the United States. Senator
Caffery concludes: is the imperial
game worth the candle? The total
trade OF the Philippines is about $780,
O0O, 0n0 a year. If we get it all and pay
$eo0, ,OOO. 600 q year for the privilege, is
lit good bargain? Expansion is .
magnificent show, but is it worth the
gate money!
These figures are entitled to the
thoughtful consideration of every good
citizen. The enormous burden which
tho United States would assume under
Philippines acquisition would be of i'm.
mense benefit to Great Britain, but
would prove disastrous to the welsare
Of he American people.