Evening star., 1900-08-11
Senator Thurston's Views on the
Chinese Situation.
COMPLEfIE" PREPARATION
The Nebraska Senator'S Mastery
r.,flI
Resume Of the Issues.
SUSTAINS THE PRESIDENT


Special Dispa; n to The Evening star.
OMAHA. Nebr., August IL. - Senator
John M. Thurston Of Nebraska was asked
today by Star correspondent his opinion
as to the course of the administration in
dealing with the Chinese question.
Senator Thurston expressed himself free
!y. and with that vigorous eloquence for
which he Is famous he discussed that and
other prominent issues
The Administration Sustained.
Il most heartily indorse the position this
government has taken so far on the Chi
nese question:" he said. I'VE should not
resort to declaration of war until We
are fully advised as to the Pekin situa-
ton II the Chinese government has been
a party to the uprising and massacre. then
L believe that all civilized nations should
unite In teaching the orientals a lesson
tnat Will remain forever a guaranty
to the safety of civilized man in every
part OF the globe. If it shall be clearly
demonstrated that the Chinese government
has not connived at the horrible condition
OF Things now existing and has done all
1t could to prevent them, then the great
powers of the world should hold China to
full reparatfon. far as it can be made,
for the sacrifice of life and the indigni-
tleS suHered by the representatives of other
nationS in Pekin.
nVpunhAeanS way carry NeDraSka.
THE contest in Nebraska will be spirited
and close. No man at this time can pre-
dict the result. The republicans are hope
full. and l believe will overcome the fusion
majority and elect our state ticket
also believe We will carry the legislature,
thereby insuring the election of two SEN
ators.
The republicans will not lose any con-
gresstonal district in this state, and we
nave good chances of gaining two con-
gressmen here. The contest for the con-
troll of the next House of Representatives
full.
1T Is not beyond the probabilities for
the republicans to carry every northern
state Tor Mckinley. The following states
are close and doubtful: Maryland. Kansas,
Nebraska. South Dakota, Colorado, Mon
tana, Idaho. Utah and Nevada l think
the republicans are certain to carry some
OF tnese' and the party Is not without hope
IN any OF them Outside of these states,
other one in tt; north;
RetentiOns of the Philippines.
"The so-caledi issue of Imperialism and
militarism, so Jar as my observation goes,
is having but ,little.,n any influence and
VIII cut no appreciable figure In the cam
paign. do not believe 1t will lose auy con-
siderable number of republican votes. and.
on the other hand. find large part of the
democratic party are in favor of the reten-
ton of the Philippines and approve of the
course of the administration with reference
thereto
MY observation leads me to believe that
the gold democrats who voted for Palmer
and Buckner four years ago will divide I'm
this time. At least .one-half of them are
certain to vote for Mckinley. and there
tore the republicans have nothing to fear
from this source.
THE dictation of the democratic platform
in favor of Ii to l has had considerable eff
feet in holding the fusionists together. and
MI Bryan will receive more votes here with
that plank in the platform than he would
have received If it had not been inserted
But in the state in general the free silver
issue is dead. 1t is no longer discussed and
will he almost wholly dropped in campaign
argument
Mr.. Bryans domination of the demo-
cratic party at its convention was certain
ly remarkable and Is the most striking ex-
ample of bossism in our political history
Compel Capital to Deal Honestly.
Trusts, called. for the most part rep
resent organized capital brought together
for the purpose Of carrying on great busi-
ness enterprises. They do not arise in any
sense of the word out of political condi-
tions. They cannot exist In times of great
business depression and panic and the bet
ttT tne tTdu6, InanuIaCtureS and commerce
of the country Is the more of these So
called trusts there will be. The aim of all
legislation should be to prevent, punish and
correct all attempts to stife competition, in
crease prices of commodities or reduce the
wages of labor. In my judgment the remedy
does not lie in destroying combinations Of
capital. but In compelling capital to deal
honestly and fairly with the people.
The Only Consistent Course
Il did not take very kindly to the idea
Of expansion, and have always regretted
that the circumstances Of war placed upon
US the responsibility Of the Philippine
Islands. l believe however, tnat Pres-
dent Mckinley adopted the only possible
course consistent with national honor and
duty in compelling Spain to give US the
Islands. great nation which went to
war for the avowed purpose of lifting q
million and half people from the abyss
of Spanish oppression would have merited
the contempt of all mankind it. having
the power to save ten millions of people in
the Philippines from the same tyranny. 1t
the islands from Spain without assuming
the responsibility of government ourselves.
Notwithstanding all claims on this subject
there government and no organized
body of men TO whom it would have been
possible or safe to turn overt the islands
Had we withdrawn. life and property would
have been insecure in the Philippines
they today in China. When the
treaty with Spain was ratified the islands
became part of the United States and
must be dealt with accordingly. 1 be-
lieve the sentiment in myastate is to this
effect
An Obstruction to National PrOgress
1.-The dominant issues of the campaign
will be a general arraignment of every
thing the republican party has accom-
plished. 1t willie be 81 campaign of fault
finding criticism and d.attack upon the men
who have had most d do with the present
administrator III 10 , r ~'--
Il believe the, democratic party stands,
If it stands for anything. for obstruction to
national progress II has virtually aban-
doned all of its Gid principles II stirl nom
inally stands for free trade and free silver
but it's party deeaEa tons are coupled with
a general statement tof its leaders that 1t
will. If given power, permit the present re-
publican legislation ON those questions to
remain. sd ID
Mckinley Overwhelmingly Indorsed.
~ think the people of this country as
whole are well satisfied with the splendid
record of the nrepublican administration
and will indorse 1t by a great majority. If
men We're not influenced to vote the party