Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1899-08-31
OUR CAPITAL LETTER.
RESULTS OF EXPANSION POLICY
SEVERELY CRITICIZED.

GlamOur OF tOnQuests Is wearing On
and Thoughtful Men Desire IA Return
to the Government of the Founders.
The Washington "Post's" Views.
Washington, August %, 1899.
Have we, as people, anything to
gain by joining hands with Great
Britain in Napoleonic policy of world
conquest? Although the administration
is at present carefully concealing any
disposition it may have to enter upon
such policy, the disposition is said to
exist, and that qestion may become a
leading one in the next years presden-
tial campaign. In diplomatic circles it
is believed that the first steps towards
such a policy have already been taken,
and that the suspension of DR.. Bedloe,
as United States consul at Canton,
China, at the request of the government
of China, is one of them, although it is
stated at the state department the sus-
pension of DR.. Bedloe was brought
about by some irregularity in connec-
tion with his issuing papers to an
American vessel engaged in supplying
arms and ammunition to the Filipinos
and issuing certificates to Chinese mer-
chants trading with the Philippines.
/ /
The present attitude of greatness
occupied by the United States was at
tanned by following from the days of
Washington policy of strictly attend
ing to our own affairs and leaving the
people of other nations to do the same.
The glamour of foreign conquest has
turned the head of the people of other
nations many times in the past, and a
few months ago there appeared to be
danger that Americans would be blind
ed by the same glamour, but the com
mon sense for which Americans are
renowned, has come to the rescue, and
our people are realizing not only the
meaning, but the danger of the adop-
tion of an imperialistic policy by the
United States, and present indications
are that that realization will result in
restoration of the Democratic party to
power, and resumption of the only
safe foreign policy for this government
to follow.
/ /
Men who at the beginning supported
the expansion policy of the administra-
tion, are now severely crticising the
results obtained by following that
policy. For instance, the Washington
Post, which has to all intents and pur-
poses been an expansion sheet, says
editorlally: Either we have not the
genius and the temperament for success
full colonization, or we have been grotes-
quely unfortunate in the selection of
our agents. 1t is impossible to see at
this moment where and in what respect
we have accomplished anything i'm
portant either in Cuba or the Philip
pines. In the latter we have under
taken to set up the regime of law and
order and civilization, and we have
failed utterly, In the case of Cuba we
have undertaken to give the people self
government, or at least to test their
capacity in that line, and we have done
neither. In the Philippines we have
for six months or more been engaged
in petty and perfectly fruitless
war with the natives. In Cuba the
government consists of a military autoc-
racy, little if any bencfcent than that
conducted by the Spanish governor
generals in time of peace. In Lu2on it
is actual war we have on our hands.
In Cuba, it is smouldering discomfort,
turbulence in various parts of the is
land, and fatuous and feeble tyranny
at Havana"
t 1
Two designs for the new S5 silver
certificate, one having upon its face
vignette of Washington and the other
one Of jefferson have been submitted to
Secretary Gage. 1t is said that Re
publican senator heard about this and
at once hurried to see Secretary Gage
to tell him not to adopt the Jefferson
design, because, if he did, it might be-
come known as a Democratic note. BE
that as it may, treasury officials say
that the Jefferson design is not likely to
be adopted
1 /
The prediction that all of the $4,000
volunteers authorized by congress