The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-11-02
The Plea of Cowardice.
CONTRIBUTOR

q CONTRIBUTOR to the New
York Tribune, DIR. John j,
4 N Stevenson, presents argu-
ments against permanent
retention OF the Philippines in a form
worthy of consideration.
Former additions to our territory lex
cept Alaska and HawaiD were, says he,
simply moving of our fence line over
upon the Immediately adjacent proper
ty. But now we are face to face with
the demand that the United States
change the whole policy which has pre-
vailed from the beginning, and that
instead of confining ourselves to our
immense compact area in an effort to
solve the perpleXing problems due to
climate and a heterogeneous population
we assume responsibilities attending
the possession of outlying areas sep
arated from us by thousands of miles
of ocean. No question so momentous
has been presented to us since 1861"
DR.. Stevenson does not regard the
Paris treaty as final. That treaty, says
he, was passed by a majority of only
three above the necessary two-thirds
vote and that confirmation was secured
only by solemn pledge to number
of those voting for it, that pledge being
fulfilled in the explanatory resolution,
saying. nor is it intended to perman-
emily annex said islands as an integral
part of the territory of the United
States. 1t is sufficiently clear that the
question is an open one, despite all that
the persistent defenders of Mr.. Nc
Kinley may say"
As for ourselves, We are unfit, in the
Doctors opinion, to assume the re-
sponsibilities attending this broad ex-
tension of our domain, and he specifies
the unfitness thus:
We have no civil service at home, ex-
cept in name, and we have none, even IN
name abroad. our colonial service has
been eXempliiied in Indian agencies and
In appointments to Alaska. As in more
than one instance our western territories
have had to receive men not wanted at
home, the Philippines will have to accept
those whose absence will not be deplored
in America. For a full century Bri-
tain's rule in foreign lands was produc-
tive only Of scandal and dssension.
Surely, we have enough of those at home,
without seeking new fields i'm which TO
sow seed for an additional crop. Eut
we cannot become, in the true sense Of
the word one of the worlds great Ta-
tions, for the United States is a nation in
but narrow sense. There are consti-
tutional limitations, which would render
the federal government helpless I'm a
crisis. Even now II cannot guarantee TO
its citizens the natural rights Of life, lib
erty and pursuit of happiness in the SOW
eral states. 1t cannot compel a state,
except by force of arms, 10 fulfil a con-
tract or to be obedient TO the constitu-
tion. our weakness in this respect Is al.
ready very apparent to other nations. The
Italian journals are discussing this defect
In view Of the Talluah massacre. our
| department Of state recognizes il and
asserts that treaty with Switzerland
| must be terminated because the federal
| government cannot prevent infractions
| by several states. If the inefllciency be
| so patent I'M times Of peace and respect
| ing matters of comparative unimportance
| It will be only too apparent I'm cases OF
| wcighty import Amendment of the
| constitution Is out of the question The
states will yield no additional preroga-
| tives to the federal government. Further