New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-23
COCHRAN on IMPERIALISM.
HE THINKS HE SEES ENGLAND's HAND
IN EXPANSION.


A rnass-ueeting was held last night In the Acad-
envy OF Music. 10 protest against THE policy or
imperialism and entangling European alliances
The meeting was arranged by the Continental
League and was attended by crowded audience
W Bourke Cochran was the principal speaker
For nearly two hours he held his audience 10
man. while in impassioned ana eloquent az
dress ne sought 70 combat the arguments when
have been adduced in favor OF annexing the Philip
mines and 10 show that the fundamental condi-
lions which had led TO the establishment OF the
American Republic and the wondrous develop
rnent OF It's i2 years OF existence were opposed TO
any policy which savored Of Imperialism. He ex-
pressed himself emphaticaly opposed to any
alliance Of any kind with England. and was par
,icularly severe In his comments on that country.
condemning any attitude between this country and
Great Britain that should take any semblance
Of friendliness.
why do American mon who favor Imperialism
earn encomiums In England" he detained. why
do the English newspapers urge us TO take posses
sion OF the Philippines? There two reasons for
this one is the natural feeling which person
or one nation has against another OF moral SUI
periority. England despised US once To-day the
English hate us and fear us. They hate us with
something of that feeling which leads woman OF
furnished reputation 20 hate a woman whose char
is irreproac enable and rejoice and sneer II
that woman comes to grief.
England has not changed She is to-day what
she always was 20 US. The language she held
toward us in Inc is the language she holds toward
the nations she does not fear once let ne become
dependent upon her let us once be put In posi-
ton that we need her to maintain colonies
and then as TO what she Will do consult her whole
history. and consult her attrnde to-day toward
nations whom she does not fear as she does us;
Austen q. Fox presided. and his opening addrl as
was mainly devoted 10 explaining the objects or the
meeting. Letters sympat hiking with those objects
were read from Bishop Potter and eX-Pres'dent
Cleveland
James 3. Eustis. ex-Ambassador to France. and
Samuel GOmpers, president OF the American Fed
GRAFTON OF Labor made addresses strongly protest
ing against imperialism. Then Mr.. Cochran was
introduced. and In the course OF a comprehensive
trea tment Of his subject he anathcmatzed IN I'M
stinted language what he described as an EFFORT on
tho part OF this country to Join in the grove
rubbing. degrading contest Of the family OF ma
tons, a contest that has always filled the world
with woe and impeded human thought and human
progress" lie disputed the theory that trade fol
lows the flag Trade followed prices. he main
taiued. and he urged that tho interests OF the
United states would be better served by war OF
industry than by a o. conquest.
Ny. Cochran. finally. while opposed 70 expansion
Gin the direction OF ont OF the way islands said
he would welcome the annexation OF Canada II Il
could be brought about by peaceful means. and also
the annexation OF Mexico when that country had
been sufficiently advanced TO warrant being re-
ceved into the Union.
Resolutions IN accord with the principles OF the
meeting We're adopted