Evening journal., 1900-10-23

Florida and of Alaska. In every case our
course was legitimate, and so recognized,
not only by Europe, but by the Ameri-
can conscience. We have not the right
of might" Ours is the might of right.
A further point is that the Philippines
have been annexed by a treaty which is
to-day the supreme law of the land. An
nexation is a "fait accompll" II is
closed incident. There can, therefore, be
no question before the business men Of
the country, Shall we expand in the
Orient? The only possible question,
having expanded, is, Shall we contract?
We never have contracted. there is no
clear authority for contraction, and the
attempt to contract would come near 10
creating revolution at home, as a success
sor to a dying insurrection abroad. The
anti-imperialistic cry is full of sound
and fury. signifying nothing"
COLONIAL DEVELOPMENT.
Elsewhere we have indicated not only
the value of the Philippines as a key 10
Asia, and to its vast markets Of the fu-
ture, but also the commercial posslbili-
ties of our colonial possessions them
selves. The colonies of the world number
1876 cover two-fifths of the earth's land
surface, and contain one-third of the
earth's population. Their total imports
average 81, 500, 100000 in value annually,
Of which 40 per cent. is taken from the
parent country. Their exports exceed
imports, and Of these 40 per cent. goes to
the parent country. In some cases the
parent government has expended vast
sums in the creation of improved roads,
railways, canals, telegraph and telephone
service. schools, docks, etc. In the case
of the United States. however. with no
State control of majority OF such great
utilities, the work is open to private en-
terprise.
In most cases present annual public
! expenditures in colonies are Of money
furnished by local revenues or repre-
scnting local obligations. In the matter
Of the obligations, which constitute the
colonial public debt. they represent those
things which most promptly and vlgor-
ously inspire production and commerce
by multiplying facilities. So far as gen.
eral relations are concerned, we have al
ready, in the case of Porto Rico, gone
farther than nearly all other nations
with our reduction of import duties tC
Is per cent of those levied on foreign
commerce generally.
A common appeal to sentiment is that
while the United States may benefit b,
colonization. this win be at the cost of thu
natives. An utter fallacy on its face an,
in the light of history. Benefit TO us cal
come only through benefit TO them. Thei
capacity for consumption can be in
creased only by an increase in their ca
pacity for production. This is true to
, day even Of the highest order of civillza
! ton. With us a reduction in consump
, tion follows a decrease Of opportunity {
produce. With them a failure to increas
in consumption must attend a failure I
increase in power of production-an
power of production lies at the root @
all substantial progress by races or pee
, pies.
! History, crystallized in our Federal Blu
reau OF Statistics, shows that, in the cas-
: Of leading colonizing powers, the native
have realized a more permanent and sta
! bic form of government; improved inter
: nal conditions through supreme contr'
= by the colonizing country; an increase
9 producing capacity; quickening of IL
tercourse with other parts Of the worl
I and marked local advantages from sue
enlarged intercourse. History thus den