The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1900-01-18
OPPOSED TO 1T.

strongly opposes the retention of
the Philippine Islands. In re-
cent interview he says:
1t is impossible to enter upon a
colonial policy, in the permanent
annexation of the Philippine Is
lands and other similar territory
in the Eastern Hemisphere, with
out assuming a position which is
liable at any time to involve us in
European quarrels and European
wars, thrust us in such manner
that we could not honorably de-
cline to enter upon them. These
wars would involve untold loss of
life and treasure. The European
governments are compelled to
maintain great ornaments, and
there is never any certainty in one
week that the next week will not
find either one of them engaged
with another in a gigantic war.
Situated geographically as we
are, 30 long as we confne ourselves
to our own continent we are abso-
lutely safe from all danger of war
unless We, ourselves, elect to make
one. There can be no greater
blessing to any person than this
immunity from liability to war,
and tc me it appears to be the
supremest folly, in the absence of
any controlling necessity, for us to
surrender this priceless advantage
and voluntarily place ourselves in
a position where we Will be equally
liable with the European govern
ments at any time and upon the
shortest notice to become involved
i'll bloody and disastrous wars.
If war should come with a
maritime power the Philippine
Islands would be our weakest spot.
We would be bound to defend
them, as much so as any part of
the United States. Our enemy
would doubtless make that the
theatre of war because it is our
weakest spot. Every transport
that carried regiment across the
Pacific would have to be conveyed
by naval force equal to the COM
bined fleet of the enemy in those
waters, because it would never be
certain which transport the COM
hined fleet would attack.
If the policy is to be adopted
which permanently annexes the
Philippine Islands thele is no
limit at which our annexation of
territory will stop. The same
policy which requires the one
would require all others where OPP
portunity is offered. Where this
will lead us or what the end will
be no one can foretell.
The cost of the permanent an
nexation of the Philippines alone
would be stupendous. The ex-
penses on this alone has already
exceeded 800, 100000, without
taking into account the original
500, 10000 paid to Spain. There
is every reason to believe that the
annual expense hereafter result
ing directly and indirectly from
the permanent retention of these
islands will amount to at least
500. 900, 600 year and probably
much more.
A large army and navy must be
continually kept there-sufficient,
while seven thousand miles away
from achievements, to promptly
cope with any instruction that
may arise among population of
100000 people. Those troops
must be frequently, IN q large
part, brought home and others
substituted for them. In the alb
sence of this Philippine perma-
nent annexation we would have
very little use for a large stand
ing army, With the permanent
annexation the standing army
will be at least 100000, and with
in very few years probably twice
as many.
AS to the present action of the
government relative to the Phil
ippine Islands, my suggestion
would be this: Having accepted
the cession of the islands from
Spain, and having, by military
force, practically overthrow all
organized civil and military au-
thority i'll the islands, it is the
duty of the United States to re-
store peace and maintain order in
the islands until arrangements are
made for the future government
of the same"