Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-08-30
CIRCULATION.
WHAT WOULD 1T MEAN?

IF elected shall convene congress
in extraordinary session as soonl as
inaugurated, and recommend an imme-
diate declaration of the nations pur-
pose-frst, to establish a stable form
of government in the Philippine is
lands, just as we are now establishing
a stable form of government in Cuba;
second, to give independence to the
F1llplnos, just as we have promised
to give independence to Cuba; third
& to protect the Filipinos from outside
interference while they work out their
destiny, just as we have protected the
republics of Central and South Amer
lea, and are by the Monroe doctrine
pledged to protect Cuba. Mr.. Bry-
ans speech of acceptance
Mr.. Bryan's unqualified declaration
! made at indianapolis, means that if he
is elected the congress also chosen
this fall will be convened in extraor-
binary session by the middle of the
coming March. In all probability the
party that elects the president will al
so get the house of representatives.
1t is felt that this declaration in all
its bearings cannot be considered too
promptly and discussed too thoroly.
What would it mean to have Mr..
Bryan in the White House and con-
gress, at least in part democratic, sit
ting less than seven months hence?
That is possible condition to which
the serious attention OF the American
! people may well be invited at once.
! Mr. Bryan has raised an issue suffi-
GENTLY momentous to command earn
est thought.
Mr.. Bryan will summon congress
and ask it to declare our purpose ito
give them (the Philippines) independ-
ence and guard them against molesta-
ton from without"
That means the withdrawal of our
army and authority from the Philip
pine Islands
Ihat means the maintenance in
Ph1llppine waters of fleet sufficient
70 prevent Germany, France, Great
Britain, Japan, Russia, and any other
nation from interfering with them,
To what international complications
might not such a relationship lead?
For thfee-quarterS of a century,"
says Mr.. Bryan, "the Monroe doctrine
has been a shield to neighboring re-
publfcs, and yet it has imposed no Pc
cuniary burden upon us
The republics are on the same hem
isphere with us. The other nations
are across the ocean. Mr.. Bryan pro-
poses that we shall cross the ocean to
the hemisphere where the other ma
lions are at home and where we shall
have no footing whatever after the
recognition of the Philippine independ-
ence; that we shall undertake to up
hold arepublic there against all neigh
boring nations.
And to put this revolutionary policy
in operation the earlier he will call an
extraordinary session of congress next
March!
Can the thoughtful citizen measure
I the disturbing influence of congress in
session to proclaim such world poll
cy as Mr.. Bryan pledges himself to
inaugurate?
What besides this radical interna-
tlonal departure would President Bry-
an and his democratic house precipi-
tate? Is it probable that the new adj
ministration would stop with the Phil
Sippine declaration? Mr.. Bryan and
the men around him stand committed
to equally radical policies of domestic
character
Is 1T not fair to presume that con.
gress in extraordinary session would
proceed, SO far as the house was con,
cerned, with the measures on which
Bryan, Altgeld, Towne, and the co,
terie of democratic and populistic lead
ers stand pledged to their followers
Agitation, disorder, disturbance OF
conditions generally, might be expect
ed And the shadow of this coming
session of congress would overcast
American prosperity on the very day
following the show of enough electo,
raj votes to make Bryan president.
Do we want to extend the Monroe
doctrine to the continent of Asia, as
he proposes?