Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-09-16
HON. GEORGE FRED
Presents Peculiar Views, Of
More or Less Value.
Alleges that President is Conducting
War for His Own Benefit.
UphoIds Silver Platform and Has Stranue Idt a
Of Dreyfus Case.

Dedham. Mass, Sept. 15.-Hon
George Fred Williams. the leader OF
the Massachusetts Democracy, arriv-
ed home. tonight, after his recent So
journ in Europe during the summer
months. The correspondent of The
| Associated Press interviewed Mr.. Will
liams upon many topics of the day, and
in spite of his absence from this coun-
try. he appeared to be well informed
upon affairs which have been going on
during his absence.
Asked in regard to the feeling
abroad, with respect to the policy OF
the present administration, concerning
the war in the Philippines, Mr.. Will
liams said those with whom he had
talked in England. seemed simply ap-
palled that this country, which has al
ways claimed to be one of liberty and
freedom for all, should attempt to sub
jugate an unwilling people who were
striving for their liberty. Those with
whom he conversed could not under
stand our consistency on this question.
in view of the fact that America had
herself fought England for her liberty
and freedom during the Revolution.
Mr.. Williams also said that while in
Germany he conversed with three
judges, among others, who asked him
the reasons for our warfare in the
Philippines.
He replied that, by peculiar circum-
stance. the President, as commander
in-chief of our army. was conducting
this war without the consent of the
people. and. in fact against the senti-
ments Of a great majority of the citi-
zens of this country. Mr.. Williams
thought that the citizens would over
whelmngly condemn the policy of the
administration when chance was af-
forded them to record their votes.
on being asked if the Democratic
party intended TO drop the silver issue
and fight the coming campaign of 1900
on the anti-Imperialist and trust is
sues. Mr.. Williams most emphatically
said No" that the campaign of 1900
would be fought upon the Chicago plat
form. with these two issues added.
Being asked in regard to the report
that Mr.. Bryan had abandoned the sill
Yer question. he said it was absolutely
false and pure fabrication; that al
though he had received no communi-
cation from Mr.. Bryan recently. he
knew from previous conversations with
him that such thing was out of the
question.
Mr. Williams said that the abandon
ment of the silver issue would mean
the loss of 2,000 900 votes to the Demo-
cratic party, particularly in the West.
The people intend to carry out the
spirit of the Chicago platform.
Mr.. Williams. on being asked if he
anticipated any opposition to the re-
nomination of Mr.. Bryan. said that he
expected none whatever. He said he
saw as the result of the Democratic
caucuses held. last evening. that any
opposition to the party in Massachu-
sets had entirely vanished.
There was a great deal of excitement
abroad. he said. in regard to the Drey-
ed to be that the fate of the French
republic itself was at stake. When
asked if he thought it proper to boy
colt the Paris Exposition. he said that
the blame in this matter should not be
placed on the French republic; that
the trial was conducted by military tri-
bunals and that the civil authorities
had apparently. attempted to do the
prisoner Justice: that the judges were
controlled by the military element,
which We're reeking with corruption in
France. He thought this afforded a
good lesson to this country never to
maintain a large standing army.