The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-08-26

SEATTLE, SATURDAY, AUGUST -.
ANTI-IMPERlALIsT aONsENsE.
Tbe Anti-Imperialist League 10 con-
tinuing It's propaganda. and among 9TH
q documents recently issued 10 one by
John J. Valentine. which IL fair sam
pie Of II all. In four pages he attempts
TO show why Il Is wrong for this coun-
try not to withdraw Its troops from the
Philippines.
Gracious God! Ii 1t possible that one
short century of material prosperity has
20 completely deadened our conscience
and hearts to the impertshable principles
that sustained our forefathers In the
struggle for the same liberty that the
brave and devoted Fiiipinos strive for.
and have striven for years and years?"
This Il how Valentine puts It. 1t IL
severe tax upon patience to calmly COM
ment upon such nonsense. The Ameri-
can government Is doing far better than
Aguinaldo would do In the cause OF true
liberty for the ''brave and devoted Fill
pinos." 1t has rescued that people from
An intolerAble tyranny. and offers the
islanders a. complete measure of lib
srty IN can be found In the world. sure
~ this IL great step forward.
But suppose the United States govern
ment should be directed by such men al
yalentine-to resist the temptation to
call them asses-what would be the
practical consequences?
should the American troops be with
drawn. under the excuse OF leaving the
Efiipinos to pursue their own sweet
will in tho matter Of liberty. Aguinaldo
would set up Dictatorship and proceed
10 levy tribute upon all the inhabitants
who were pursuing peaceful avocations.
in order that he might raise funds with
which to pay his bodyguard OF armed
.hnrbarians Immediately a cry would
go up from thu peaceable Inhabitants Of
the islands 10 the powers Of Europe for
aid. Germany. England. Russia and
France would join hands and agree up
on the partition OF the islands or the es-
adjustment OF a protectora.e. Possibly.
the country first appealed to would
make hasty rush and take possession
without going through the form Of con-
sulting the other powers.
The Philippines, with all their pros
pcctive commercial advantages and
strategic value. would surely pass into
the hands OF one of the stronger ma
tons. what would men like Valentine
Say then.
The people OF the United States would
be the laughing stock OF the world and
the Filipinos would he as far or from
Independence as Spain would have per-
nittcd had she been allowed To have hes
own way. Probably Mr. Valentine vii
reply that we can prevent IT. Yes. per-
haps. by going TO war and having &c
dc all over again what we have already
done.
That Is about the only tangible arsa-
nent advanced by the anti imnerialIs,s
as an excuse for assailing the Mckinley
administration. Valentine presents a
LOT Of irnmaterial matter ard he even
goes so far "a 20 state an absolute uu.
truth. He says that without delibera-
ton or reason We plunged into a war
with Spain. It is absolutely false that
and II there is any merit In What h.
says ahou, helping the Ffllpinos. surely
II would apply with far greater faree
to the unhappy cahans who were Ter.
i.hing mlscrahiy under the tyranny ~
spanish rule. On the shores Of this com
sinent a whole island was being turned
into a charnel house. and the people aa-
peaied riteous'y for ala. Was that no
reason why we should go 10 war VITA
SPAIN
Valentine denounees as shallow
sonhistry tha, trade follows the ssaz."
and SAYS that trade II determined ny
price Then he complains Of the ehesp
labor Of the Philippines as reason why
enssne suppose that labor viii become
higher priced n Ne leave the islands "a
the mercy Of other powers II pysce l.
What determines TRADE would I; not he