The Van Buren press., 1900-04-07
Baking nj the Start.
From the Batesville Guard.

From the Batesvllle Guard.
1t has been the constant boast of the
Republicans, since the close OF the war
with Spain, that their 8 is the party OF
expansion, in the reasonable sense of
the word; and not of imperialism, in the
offensive meaning Of that unrepublican
term. Yet the very first step in the
administrative policy proposed for the
new territory acquired from Spain proves
the Republicans not to be expansionists
ut all, in the best meaning of the term,
but imperialists of the rankest sort. 10
extend the limits and the laws Of the
United States to new territory and place
1t in all respects upon an equality with
every other part of the republic, is the
only sort Of expansion either desirable
or tolerable under our system OF govern
ment.
The Island of Puerto Rico is the only
territory coming to us from the war
with Spain whose acquisition has been
regarded with something like favor.
Its people, made wretched by the long
misrule of Spain, welcomed the coming
of our army and received with gladness
the assurance Of Gen. Miles that, in
relinquishing the sovereignty of Spain
and becoming citizens of the United
States, they should enjoy, along with
all other citizens, the equal privileges OF
our government. The treatment pro-
posed by the Republicans in Congress
for those people is anything but in keep
ing with the promises of Gen. Miles.
What the Island most needs, after the
disturbance of war and the ravages OF
the recent most destructive hurricane,
Is opportunity for trade and the general
resumption Of business, Yet, while 1t
is territory belonging to the United
States, quite within the meaning OF the
Constitution, it is left to suffer in most
pitiable plight, for lack of little simple
legislation, which Republican Con-
gress and a Republican administration
refuse It,
Since the Island is no longer Spanish
possession, Spanish markets, which 1t
freely enjoyed before, are now closed to
it. Yet, for lack Of the legislation re-
ferred to, the enormous duties OF the
Dingley tariff law, acting both ways,
are permitted to restrict the flow OF
trade from the United States to Puerto
Rico, and, equally from Puerto Rico to
this country. On this absurd situation,
goods manufactured in and sent from
this country must actually pay 65 per
cent. of the Dingley tariff rates before
they can be admitted to Puerto Rico,
because II Is American territory, into
which goods manufactured abroad can
not be admitted without paying Ameri.
can tariff rates while percisely the same
rates are imposed upon Puerto Rican
products brought to this country, be,
cause the Islands, through Congressional
inaction, has not been formally declared
u part Of this country.
What Is worse, the Republicans pro-
pose to maintain this absurd situation,
and made 1t permanent feature OF their
plan of government for Puerto Rico.
The utmost they propose for relief is to
reduce the rate Of duties on goods and
products passing between that Island
and this country from IS to 10 per cent.
of the Dingley rates. The Republican
policy Is not for the policy of reasonable
expansion, 1t Is the policy of imperial.
ism, pure and simple-a duplication OF
the system employed by England,
Germany, Russia and the other mon
arches Of the old world for the govern.
ment Of their colonies. II involves un'
fair taxation, u great army and n system
OF carpet-bag government fashioned
after that we once enjoyed In this and
other Southern States.