The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-06-26
THE AN9I-lMPGRIALISHS
A Secret Meeting Of the Leaders
Held in New York City.
May Hold Convention Alter The
Democratic Platform Has Been
Adopted at Kansas City-An IndS>
pendent Party May Be Form ss-A
Statement From Edwin II. Sns&fA.

NEW YORK. June 25.-Anti-in osr4a.-
fists from various parts of the country
met at the Plaza Hctel today and took
action which may result in the formation
OF an anti-imperialist party which Will
conduct a campaign of its own upon its
own lines. In any event the anti-imper-
ialists will probably hold convention
shortly after the Democratic Convention
Whether or not they will ra.ify the an
ti-imperial plank in the Democratic plat
form depends upon whether the plank
suits them or not.
Today's meeting was made up oil the
members Of the Executive Committee of
the American Anti-Imperialist League
and was private.
The attendance had strong New Eng
land tinge, such Down Casters as
Edward Atkinson, Erving Winsiow.
Gamaiiel Bradford, Samuel D. Bowles
Charles Goldman. and Ex-Governor Bout
well, of Massachusetts, being present. inc
meeting was called to order in the after
noon by E. A. Smith, Of Chicago, Chairman
of the committee. and Mr.. Boutwell, was
chosen chairman.
The main object of the meeting was
announced to bring about united action
between the anti-imperialists of the league
and the unattached ti-imperialists. The
matter of the probable anti-imperialist
plank in the Democratic platform was
then discussed. after which a resolution
was unanimously adopted directing the
Executive Committee of the league to call
q general conference of anu-imperiai-
lists TO consider a plan of campaign. TO
the end that We may carry into effect our
condemnation of the imperialistic policy
OF the present administration"
1t is understood this general conference
will be nothing but party convention.
The matter of formal call for the con-
vention will be left to the Executive Com
mittea. which Will decide upon the tine
and place. The convention will certainly
not be held until after the Kansas City
Convention on July 4, and the places men-
toned are Chicago. Cincinnati, and In
dianapolis.
Within a few days there will be meet
ing of the executive committee in Chicago
to decide on these matters. After today S
sessions Chairman Edwin r. Smith, Of the
Executive Committee, said the meeting
had decided that it was not for the best
interests OF the cause to make formal
statement at this time. He explained in
formally the purposes of the gathering.
He said:
I'VE do not want to form an Independent
party unless the action OF the Kansas City
Convention makes it necessary. Until the
Convention at Philadelphia the Republic
cans had never made stand en- imperial
ism. When they adopted their platform
We saw at a glance that We had nothing
TO hope for from that party. We do not in
tend to take hasty action or go off half
cooked. Consequently we shall not call
our general conference till we see what
the Democrats are going to do at Kansas
City.
Many cf us hope that they will give
Us broad. liberal plank on the subject
OF imperialism. If they do that our gen.
eral conference will probably do nothing
except ratify that plank. If not. we shall
have to DO something ourselves. II the
Democrats do not bring out clearly the an
ti-imperialistic idea. then definite action
will probably be taken by US and an inde-
pendent party formed TO conduct a cam
paign on anti-imperialistic lines.
''It is the wish OF the anti-imperialists
to prevent the ratification by the people
at the coming Presidential election of the
imperial policy carried on by the pres
ent Administration. II the Administration
receives the sanction that q reelection
will give it then We are forever bound to
an imperialistic policy and are to be
classed among the imperial nations.
1T is our wish TO unite as far as pos
sible the independent voters of the coun-
try to prevent the enactment by ballot of
such a policy and TO keep the present Ad-
ministration from retaining its hold on
the Government There is a difference OF
opinion between leading anti-imperialists
as to the best course to pursue to bring
about this unity and TO render effective
the opposition TO the present Administra-
tion. 1t is matter Of political history
that the Independent "oter, when closely
united, can overthrow the party in power.
That has happened five times in this coun-
try. We hope TO make it happen a sixth
time"