The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-11-05
TRUSTS AND IMPERIALISM.

| Imperialism runs in parallel lines in
England and America. In both lands il
engages itself in the giant task of rob-
bling a weak nationality Of its freedom,
and appeals to the Maxim gun to make
good It's moral, social and political doc
| trines.
1t is not alone in the acquisition of for
| eign territory by brute force operating
| for the slaughter of the nativeC that
American and British Imperialism show
their kinship. The American imperiaIist
owes allegiance only to the flag and
the trusts. He breaks out in song on
the slightest provoeation, and he is much
given to denouncing traitors and
''aunties" and such cowardly creatures.
1t is so, too, in England. The high state
of civilization and morality which the
British imperialist represents has been
demonstrated around Trafalgar square
and other localities in London by much
singing OF God Save the Queen" and
much indiscriminate waving of striped
bunting and rough elbowing of other peo-
pie.
Much of this similarity of conduct If
not all of 1t, springs from the initiative
spirit, born of Anglomania. Yet it is not
all manifested in shriekings and flag
wavings. The most wonderful instance
of the similarity in methods and purpose
of the American and the British lingo
/ is seen, after all, in the loyalty of both to
trusts. Under a Tory government in
England the trusts have come to the
front with a rush, just as they have
done here under our imperialist admins
tration Toryism and trustism are syn
onymous there, as Imperialism and trust
ism are here. The trust conspiracy goes
troll of British industry to such an ex-
tent practically to brook no regula-
ton or interference Indeed of the two
lands, it is true that England is much
more gravely afflicted by the trust dis
ease than we have become as yet.
A recent writer of note in discussing
the decline of British commerce, has ex-
pressed himself on the nature and opera
ton in England of the trust evil in the
following striking terms:
The third reason (for the d>cline of
British trade)-and the one which is #
direct interest to us in this day Of t.u5
and .syndicates-is that the god, old
fashioned, safe system of doing bu iEess
has been superseded by a new method,
which is neither good nor safa. In for
nler days, when apitaI was sought Cor a
new enterpl Use. the verd ct hl g d on tie
decision of pI actioal men WI o knew tie
pr babe profits ard reaSo5 able risks To-
day, 1t is the lawyer who is hrst consult
ed, the promoter whose stance is
needed to float" the shares which The
pubic Is expected to buy. All Eacl nd
ing and selling of shares has b acCme an
Industry of the first magnitude.
The good, old-fashioned ways of doing
business which this writer refers 70
have practically passed away with us.
The trust is usurping complete control
1t has one Of our great political parties
absolutely in its grasp. The class OF
craftsmanship which Is in the leadership
in that party is of the promoting va
ricty. Hanna, Foraker, Quay, Plat
these are the men, every one of them the
tool or creature of the trusts who have
control Of the country's destinies under
the new imperialist dispensation. One
naturally wonders whether American ex-
perience of trust Imperialism will be the
same In the course of time as that la
mented by the writer In the above ex-
tract.