The Portland daily press., 1899-09-16
G 7. Williams Says le to | Will
Not Be Dropped.
Trusts and Imperialism
Side Issues.
England Is Appalled, at Our War
in Philippines.

Dedham, Mass, Septemher I6-Hon.
George Fred Williams, the leader of
Massachusetts, Democracy. arrived home
tonight after his recent soJourn In Eu-
rops during the summer months.
The correspondent of the Associated
Press interviewed Mr.. Williams upon
many topics Of the day and In srits of
his absence from the country he appeared
to be we'll informed upon affairs which
have been going on during his ahsence.
Asked In regard to the feeling abroad,
with resrect Co the policy Of the rressns
administration. ooncsrnins the war In
this Philippines, Mr. Williams said that
those with whom he had talked iu Eng
land seemed simply appalled, that this
country. which had always claimed to be
one of liberty and freedom for all, should
attempt to subjugAts an unwilling peo-
pie who were striving for their liberty.
Those with whom he convsrsed could not
understand our consistency ON this ques-
tion, In view Of the fact that America
had herself fought England for her lib
erty and freedom during the Revolu lion.
Mr.. Williams also said that while In
Germany he oonversed with three judges,
among others, who asked him the reasons
for our warfare in the Philippines. He
replied that by peculiar circumstance,
the President. as commandsr-in.c chief Of
our army, was conducting this war with
out the consent Of the people, and In fact.
against the sentiments Of lreat ma jori-
ty of the citizens Of this country. Mr.
Williams khnnexhf haf ha nff
overwnt lmingly condemn the policy of
the administration when a chance WAS
afforded them to recoru their votes
On being asked IL the Democratic party
In tended to crop the silver issue and
light the coming campaign of 1870 on the
Williams most emphstioally said: "No, !"
hat the campaign Of 400 would be
fought upon the Chicago platform with
these two added.
Being asked In regard to the report
that Mar. bryan had abandoned the silver
aGd pure fabrication; that although ne
bad resolved no communication from
Mr. bryan recently, he knew from pfevi-
GUS conversations with him tnat such "a
thing was out of the question.
MIR. Millisms said that the abandon
ment Of the silver Issue mopld mean the
loss OF two million votes to the Demo-
cratic party, p rticularly In the west.
he people In end to carry out the spirit
Of the Chicago platform.
Mr.. Williams on being asked IL he an
ticipated any opposition tc the re-nomi-
natl Of MIR. Bryan, said that he xpsct-
ed none whatever. He said -he saw as
the result Of the Democratic caucuses
held last evening that any opposition to
the party in Massachusetts had entirsly
vanished.
There WAS gre,t deal of excitement
abroad, he said, IN regard to the Dreyfus
case. and the general opinion sesmeu 60
be that the fate of the French republic
itself was at stake. When asked If he
thought it proper to boycott the Paris
exposition, he said that the 6lame in this
N after should not be- placed ON the French
republic; that the trial was conducted by
military tribunals and that the civil au-
thoritles had, apparently attempted TO do
the prisoner justice; that the Judges war
controlled by the military element which
Was resking with corruption In Franoe.
he thought this afforded good lesson
to this country never 10 maintain large
standing army