Evening star., 1899-03-03
CECIL RHODES AS PROPHET
Noted Englishman Makes Predictions as to
Americas Future.
Believes Expansion Sentiment Will
Grow and Eventually Absorb Most
of the Western Hemisphere.

In an interview with correspondent of
| the Associated Press at Alexandria, Egypt,
on February II Cecil Rhodes gave his views
on the future of the United States. He pre-
| dic;ed that the policy of expansion would
take firm root in this government and
would result ultimately in bringing the
whole of America except Canada under
| American rule
Mr.. Rhodes expressed admiration for the
work already done in Cuba and predicted
! that it would be carried on in the Philip
| pines. The United States he considered one
i of the nations best equipped for colonial
| ton. and repeatedly exclaimed: You are
! taking to it like mothers milk" apparently
with the greatest delight.
He inquired with great interest what
were the arguments of the opponents of
| imperialism in the United States, and com
mcntcd that they seemed to be animated
by selfshness. "It is the duty of civilized
nations to take charge of the barbarians
and give them white mans government,
| he said The United States is one OF the
great powers end cannot escape this duty.
Eviction Most Businessiike.
He did not believe that the United States
would ever Withdraw its authority from
Cuba, and thought the manner in which
Spain had been evicted from her colonies
and the United States had taken possession
most businesslike. Americas action in COM
pensating Spain for the Philippines sur
prised him. Il would have bundled the
Spaniaris out and made them pay a war IN
demnty,' was his comment
| He declared that the United States could
never Withdraw from the Philippines, be-
| cause it was its duty to give these peo-
people strong and good government; nor
| did he believe that when they had begun
| to realize the results of their work there
Americans would desire to abandon the
| policy. They might grumble for time
! over the expense, but that would be "a
/ mere flea bite to nation so rich. why
| not abandon some of the expenses of the
| pension list, which seemed so unreason-
/ ably large. if economy was necessary?
| Even if large navy must be built, the
| United States could well afford one. So
| far as the fear of provoking foreign en-
| tanglements and wars went. while Eng
| land and the United States stood together
and maintained their present understand
| ing, which practically an alliance, no
combination of powers dare menace them.
| To govern colonies the United States must
! organize a staff of colonial officials. but
| it would do that as easily as it would
| organize 2 new navy.
To Seize South Americn.
| To the suggestion of the anti-imperial-
! lists that the Philippines would be only the
| beginning of colonization, he said
There are no more islands of the sea
! to be acquired. They are all taken up.
| The territory of savage races is practically
! all pre-empted by the civilized. The uIti-
: mate work Of the United States will be to
govern South America. You will probably
| begin with Mexico acquire the Central
American states. then those on the cOnti-
| nent of South America, until you hold all
| the country to the south of you. These
| states have incompetent governments
| practically bar barian governments-and it
| viii be your duty to give them the white
| mans government. Mexico is we'll gov
/ CTnPT but nation 6eppOI
| man. and when DiaZ is dead it may be
! ruled no better than before his time
| Southwark is the logical direction of the
! expansion of the United States
| The Philippines came to you by acct
| dent: these ne!ghboring peoples it will be
| logically your duty to provide for
Calls BIaine's Plans Visionary.
| When Blaine's efforts to arrange friend
| ly compact between the North and South
| American republics were mentioned Mr.
| Rhodes called them visionary.
"You will possess all those states by
| force Of arms, and that within a century,"
| he said. emphaticaIIy.
| Asked if Canada would logically be in
| cluded IN this expansion, he said that
| Canada had a good government and there
| fore there was no need for change. Sum
| marizing Americas policy, he said:
| on people OF the United States cannot
| always remain within yourselves. You
cannot always go making money You
must get out into the world and take up
| your share of the worlds burdens. AL
ready you are OutgrOwing your own coun-
| try. You will absorb other countries and
| give them good government. Why shouldn't
| you! GU have ii in your blood The Phil
| ippnes will furnish new careers for your
| young men The whole work will strength
| en- You and broaden your national charac-
| ter Yes, already YOU are taking TO it like
| mothers milk
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