The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1899-11-10

From our Regular Correspondent.
WAsHIEGToE, Nov. 6. Imperialism is now
bidding for Southern support, holding out i'll
duceInents which it is hoped will catch the cot
ton growers and manufacturers. 1t is now
scmi-offcially stated that the administration.
which claims to have secured verbal promises
from European governments which have been
grabbing Chinese territory, that American COM
mence should enjoy equal privileges with their
own, in all the Chinese territory controlled by
them, has demanded of those governments
formal written agreement, to accord with the
verbal promises and intends, If the
demand is nat acquiesced in, to back it up
with force. This is SAID to have been the real
reason for the recent meterial siren gtheningo Of
the American Naval forces at Manila. The
same statement adroirly points out the material
advantages to the South, the Chinese trade will
give, because of the increased demand, and, of
course, increased prices for all kinds of cotton
goods. The men who are manipulating imper-
iaiism are very sly in putting out this bid for
Southern support. They know that the cotton
raisers of the South have had hard lines of late,
and hope that this promise of better times will
create an imperialist sentiment among them.
The administration has Matched up scheme
to commit the country irrevOcably Imperial
ism. 1t has already BEGAN the work OF secur-
ing promises from Senators and Representa-
tives to vote for jHint resolution to be offered
rs soon as Congress meets, declaring the inten-
ton of this Government to permanently retain
The Philippine islands. Nothing could more
strongly show the steady growth OF imperjalis-
tic ideas in administrative circles. Only short
time ago, Mr.. Mckinley said that he intended
and had always intended. that Congress should
decide whether we should keep the Philippines.
Now he will say to Congress, 10 effect, II have
decided TO keep the Philippines, and demand
that you shall ratify my decision" The reason
for this change is obvious. Mr. Mckinley fears
that if Congress taxes up this question and
thoroughly discusses it, SO many good reasons
will he presented against our going into the
colonization business TO the extent of keeping
the Philippines, that Congress might decide
against their retention. Therefore, he will en-
deavor to head off anything like a free discus
sion, by saying to Congress that it is necessary
to end the war i'll the Philippines that this joint
resolution should be adopted, knowing that if
he succeeds, any future discussion of the
matter In Congress will be without effect in de-
termini1g tho policy of the government. He
will have no serious trouble in getting his
scheme through the House, but TIE antrim
perialists of the Senate will have something to
say before it can be put through that body.
Senator Chauncey Depew has found out that
Boss Platt, who made him Senator, isn't the
whole thing in Washington, and he doesn't re-
joice over the knowledge. Plat compelled
Depew TO join HIM in making a fight upon the
acceptance by the Treasury Department OF
plans for the New York Custom House, chosen
il open competition by Committee of Archi-
tccts, ard endorsed by the New York and Phil
adelpha branches of the American Institute of
Architects, not because he knew of any defects
in the plans, but because the successful COM
petititor was Mr.. Cass Gilbert, of Chicago, and
not Il New York machine politician. Secretary
Gage, to his credit be it recorded, refused to be
infiuenced by political pressure and decided in
favor of the report of the Committee of Archi-
tects. This was Mr.. Depew's first taste of
humble pie, and if he could control his own &C
tons it might be the last, but having agreed
before being elected Senator. to do everything
in political way that Platt asked him to, it
probably will not be.
If prominent men from the eastern section
of the y. s.. who come to Washington, know
the sentiment of their people, the anti-impe-
rialist spirit ia rapidly growing in that section.
Said one of them, Mir. Z. s. Beach, of the Boston
bar: Senator Hoar is voicinG the better sent:-
ment and l believe that sooner or later. the
country will appreciate his efforts to keep our
government in the safe path justified by all the
years Of our national existence. There are u
great many good and influential men in New
England, VINO are saying little, but who have
firmly resolved that II imperialism Is TO be q
fixed policy of the Republican party, they will
cease to be Reput licans. Aside from the moral
question involved il keeping up this war upon
a people who regard themselves as fighting for
their liberty, American citizens want to know |
what is to be gained by carrying on the conflict. !
Is it worth while TO have saddled upon us a |
large stand army, an immense indebtedness |
increased taxation and the loss of hundreds of |
gallant young men, in exchange for these |
islands? | cGndidly believe that the mass of |
our people are against this departure from our |
established policy of non-interference IN for |
egn lands. Back of the whole business is the |
spirit of commercialism and mercenary greed |
The Philippines are rich. That Is all the argu. |
ment needed with a certain class of men who |
care nothing for principal IL there are dollars |
to be acquired"