The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-06-14
AS BRISTOW SEES 1T.
Tells the Washington People Kansas
Is For Expansion.

Washington, D. C., June 14.-FourtT
| Assistant Postmaster General Bristov
| has returned to Washington after a two
| weeks visit in Kansas. When Genera
| Rristow was confronted with the re-
port that he was to be appointed civil
| governor of the Philippines, he appear
! ed to be the most surprised man in
| Washington.
"I know nothing whatever about it. -
| he said. 81 cannot ina CINE how such
a report started. In the first place. 1t
seems highly improbable that the presi-
dent should be considering the appoint
ment of a civil governor at all at this
| time. Even if he were I have no rea-
son to believe that his choice would fall
| upon me. There is only one way in
which can account for the report. l
have taken the keenest interest in the
Philippine question. I have made a
study of it. My views as to the re-
SpOnSibilitieS incurred by the United
States government in the Philippines
are decided. I believe we are there to
stay. We must stay. Any other course
would be discreditable and dishonora-
BILE. Probably someone heard L was
making an earnest study of the Philip
pines and of the eastern question and
in that way the report that was to be
civil governor of the Philippines was
conceived
while I was out in Kansas contin-
ued Mr.. Bristow, Il had a good oppor-
tunity of learning the sentiment of the
people of Kansas on expansion. The
KanSans, almost to man. are in favor
of the retention of the Philippines. They
take no stock whatever in the theory
that Aguinaldo is a second George
Washington. They regard him in the
light of an unprincipled adventurer
They believe his sole object in fighting
for the control of the Philippines is to
foist upon the people another Spanish
regime. the only difference being that
the profit will go to him instead of to
the Spaniards. They honor the presi-
dent for refusing to give any counte
war to continue until he and his fol-
lowers are thoroughly suppressed. Men
who talk in Kansas about the Ameri-
can flag being the emblem of oppres-
sion in the Philippines Are looked upon
just as the copperheads were regarded
during the civil war. They are objects
of contempt.
LAS the manner in which the war is
to be conducted, the people of Kansas
have the utmost confidence in the presi-
dent. They trust him implicitly in this
respect. 1 don't believe we have ever
had a president who commands the con-
fidence among the common people of
Kansas that President Mckinley does
The protraction Of the war has not and
will not make the slightest change in
the sentiment. If the president be-
1ieves it best to continue the campaign
with the present forces, the people of
Kansas will think it all right. On the
other hand, if he should call for more
volunteers, Kansas will give an imme-
diate and hearty response. have
talked with Kansans who now have
sons fighting in the Philippines. They
all feel the same way about it,
probably the most potential factor
in the shaping of public sentiment on
the Philippine question is the religious
influence. This influence, I found is all
aligned on the side of the administra-
TONS policy. I attended a college COM
mencement at which all of the promi-
nent Methodist clergymen of Kansas
were present. I talked with them on
the subject of expansion. without ex-
ception they were in favor of the Unit
ed States holding onto the Philippines
They believe it is the duty of the Unit
ed States not only to uphold it's stand
ard of Christian civilization but to
propagate this civilization wherever the
opportunity offers. They look upon the
opportunity in the Philippines as from