Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1899-10-25

deau. lG began 10 slcken WIFI the
seizure of Hawaii, and it expired with
the purchase of Spain's title to the
Philippine islands. Proof of its death
is TO be found in the fact that we al
low ourselves to quibble with great
Britain over the Alaskan boundary.
If we were as loyal TO the Monroe doc
trine as in the old days, Great Britain
would have received an ultimatum in
the Alaska boundary case before the
quarrel had been on six weeks. But
we, ourselves, are responsible for the
death of the Monroe doctrine. Hav.
ing gone ipto quarters of the world to
which we had voluntarily renounced
any rights, We naturally invite the
greater antagonism to policy that
would keep others out of quarters
which we had reserved for ourselves.
Conditions now, however, are very
different from those under which the
Monroe dotrine was laid down. Then
America was lily prepared for aggres-
sion !; but pretty well prepared for self
defense. We were in very good po-
sition to keep foreigners out of this
country but were very poorly pre-
pared to oppose foreigners on distant
shores. 1t. seems to have then been a
case of do as you could, and we are
consistent now in that we are still pur-
suing the same policy.
Discussion of the Philippine ques-
tion usually brings Out hundreds of ir-
relevant side issues. The only thing
that ought to figure is the question OF
moral right; but We are sorry to say
that this neither is nor can be factor.
The most desirable trading centre OF
the world from ancient times, and
which promises to continue such for
many generations to come, is eastern
and southern Asia. 1t is from here
that all European countries draw their
greatest wealth, and on account OF
this all are engaged in trying to get
the advantage of the others. In the
hands of weak power the Philippine
islands do not cut much of figure ;
but in the hands of one of the world
powers they constitute the key to the
situation. Under the circumstances, il
the United States did not take these
islands, whichever of the European ma
tions that should prove the strongest,
would. And that is why this country
is deluging the Philippines with blood
We want to be in a position to com
mand our share of the spoils.
And it is the same thing ir the Trans
vaal. Before the discovery of gold
Great Britain would have never dream
ed of throwing away the blood and
treasure that would have been neces-
sary for the conquest of the Transvaal.
The gold output of the Transvaal in
1898 was $50, ,230,SS0. 1t is estimated
from the most reliable data that the
gold output of the Transvaal will
continue at an increasing ratio for gen
erations to come. Even at the pres,
ent rate, within the next 25 years, the
Transvaal government would be the
richest on the face of the earth. Great
Britain sees this. She recognizes that
wealth controls everything, ard that
is why she wants the Transvaal.
1t has already cost the Americans
many lives and millions of treasure to
accomplish what they have accomplish
ed in the Philippines, and it may be
that they will expend many more lives
and many more millions before they
complete the task. England has sent,
or is preparing to send, into the Trans
vaal, the largest army she has ever put
in the field at any one time in all her
history. She is calculating on heavy
losses, and she may or may not meet
them. But like the United States, she
has counted the cost and is fully pre-.
pared to make all the sacrifices that
may be necessary to secure the tre'
mendous material advantages so plain,
Iy in sight.