The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1899-01-19

perialism we have q right TO Welgn
possibilities as we'll as certainties;
and among the possibilities may be
mentioned an offensive and defen-
sive union between the United States
and one or more European nations.
ALREADY one may hear an Anglo
American alliance suggested-a sug-
gestion, which would have been dis
carded as dream year ago. When
this nation abandons its traditions
and enters upon a colonial policy
long step will have been taken to-
ward those entanglements against
which Washington and Jefferson
with equal emphasis warned their
countrymen.
"What change the imperialistic
idea has already wrought in the
minds of its advocates. During the
nations infancy and development
the American people spurned the
thought of foreign alliance and its
attendant obligations; they refused
to yoke the young Republic with a
monarchy. The wisest among us
will not be able to measure the cost
of policy which would surrender
the nations independence of action
and drag it into the broils of Europe
and Asia.
1.-THE Monroe doctrine. too! What
will become of it2 How can we ex-
pect European nations to respect our
supremacy in the western hemis-
phere If we insist on entering Asia?
So long as we confine ourselves to
our own continent we are strong
enough to repel thu world, but are
we prepared-or is it worth while to
prepare--to wage an offensive war
fare in other parts of the globe2
"On the other hand, what advant-
ages are suggested by imperialists to
offset.the cost and dangers mention
ed?
"They tell us that trade follows
the flag, and that wider markets will
out admitting that any argument
based upon trade advantages can
justify an attempt to adopt double
standard in governmental govern
ment by consent in America and
government by force In Asia 1T may
be answered that commerce is a
matter of cost and not matter of
bunting. The protectionist under
stands this and demands, not a flag
barrier, but price barrier between
the home manufacturer and the
foreign competitor. Public attention
has already been called to the fact
that while Spain was sending
soldiers to the Philippines England
was sending merchandise. While
the home Government was sending
money to the islands Great Britain
was drawing money from them.
"The cost Of transportation is an
important factor and has more in
fiuence than sovereignty in direct.
ing the course of trade. Canada does
not refuse to deal with us merely
because she flies the British jack; in
fact, I have been told that she some
times buys even her British jacks in
The United States. Our foreign trade
is increasing, sovereignty.
1.-THE ipsignificance of the trade
argument will be manifest to any
one who will compare the consuming
capacity of the Filippinos with that
of likesnumber Of Americans. The
inhabitants of the torrid zone can
never equal or even approach the in
habitants of the temperate zones as
customers. England's commerce
with the United States is greater
than her commerce with India, and
yet India has population Of nearly
300 0O0,0 and the English flag floats
over them.
ut is yet to be decided whether
the open door policy will be adopt.
ed in the Orient or tariff wall built
around our subjects there, but neith-
er plan will be found satisfactory.
Our people, however, should not ex-
pect colonial policy to prove ac-
ceptable either to the governed or to
the governing. If we attempt to run
our country upon the European plan
we must prepare ourselves for con-
tinual complaint. History has thus
far failed to furnish single example
of nation selfish enough to govern
it wisely at long range.
ut has been argued that annexa-
tion would furnish new field for
the investment of American capital.
If there Is surplus money seeking in
vestment why Is it not employed in
the purchase of farm lands, in de-
veloping domestic enterprises or IN
replacing foreign capital? In 1895
we were told that we were dependent
upon foreign capital, and must so
legislate as to keep what we had and
invite more. Strange that it should
be necessary to have an English
financial system in order to bring
European capital into the states, and
also and English colonial policy for
the purpose Of taking American
capital out. Every dollar sent to the
Philippines must be Withdrawn from
L..