The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-01-18
In a Recent Letter He Advocates
American Control Of Islands.
OPPOSED TO THE DEMOCRACY.
Sirnincant Epistle Written to So
ciaI Reform Union Indicates the
chief Executives Position-says
That to Advocate Nonretcntion
IL to Court Defeat-He Relieves In
Establishment OF . PrOtectorate.

dOV Rogers mas recently maui an i..sSA
esting contribution to the campaign liter
AZURE OF the fusion organization In an
epistle addressed to the managers OF the
Social Reform Union, newly organized
company of ..reformers," with headquar-
ters at Alhambra, Cal. In his letter to the
union the governor declares himself on the
expansion question positively ana IN sucn
language as will doubtless cause great
deal of interest among the Democrats OF
the state. from whom. it is reliably report
"a. Gov Rogers expects to obtain the
nomination for second term as gov
ernor.
The Social Reform Union has lately Is
sued q number Of pamphlets containing
letters and signed articles by prominent
men from all over the country. Its object
I Is to form the nucleus of new reform
movement, and some time ago. through It's
leaflets. the union promulgated series OF
principles to be advocated.
The leading members of the organiza-
ton requested from Gov. Rogers state
ment Of his position toward the new cult
and received q reply In which the govern
or announced his sympathy with the main
objects OF the reformers. but withheld his
support from their anti-expansion utter
ances. In stating his position, Gov. Rog-
ers wrote the subjoined letter. printed by
the Social Reform Union December 2.
1899. under the heading. What Should the
volume Of the society's publication:
"Unite or Perish"
estate Of washington.
Executive Department.
my Dear Sir: / have your letter OF iate
date, regarding the Social Reform Union.
"In reply VIII say that ! am with YOU
unite or perish 1t is probable that l
should differ with you only in one matter,
that of expansion OF course, ! am op-
ward / see that the vast majority of the
people in every country have always sup
ported the government or the administra-
ton conducting successful foreign war.
remember something of the Mexican
war. An unjust war, indeed. l remember,
too. something of the attitude taken by
war then being waged, and know, too.
that the indictment brought against the
government at that time was far strong
war than can be brought against the gov
eminent for the conduct Of the Spanish
war at the present time.
"And yet, when the issues were before
the people, the verdict of the country
strongly favored the prosecution OF war
Depend upon 1t. it will do. so in the ~.
ture. and do not think that we should
cause the failure of our plans by declar-
ing too strongly against expansion.
"As matter OF fact. the question that
divides expandonists and anti-expansfon-
lists has only to do with the form OF
government to be given the Philippine is
lands. No one advocates our sailing away
from the islands and abandoning them like
so many derelicts upon the high seas.
Such a course Is not to be considered. The
whole question is: Shall we establish a
the country into the United States? Per-
sonally, am in favor of a protectorate.
By 1t we could secure all the advantages
that we otherwise would in the way of
trade and not be obliged to maintain
troops In the islands. The navy could
look after all our interests.
Give Them Latitude.
IT believe the natives should be given
the largest latitude in. conducting their
own government; should be turned pretty
nearly loose, and depend upon 1t. an i'm
mense majority of the people of this coun-
try win support ,ppor a that view Now; why WY
portant matters by declaring ourselves in
such a way as to insure our defeat?
every great potca s9nes but one
there can be but one paramount issue; but
one thing that the people will effectively
consider / think reformers should en-.
we play into the Republican party's hands,
as the monopolists would like to have us
do. by declaring ourselves as opposed to
any control to be exercised by this coun-
try over the Philippine islands, down will
go everything that We as refOrmers hold
s sssn S Me shs them BE anke g Without
Let us not allow the Republicans to
make expansion the issue. Yours very
truly, u. r. ROGERS"
Will Follow bryan.
1t has never been secret that Gov.
Rogers at heart has been In favor of the
establishment of the sovereignty of the
United States In the Philippine islands.
His position on this issue is diametrical-
Iy opposed to that of many of the leading
Democrats of the state. 1t seems. in the
opinion of prominent members of the
Democracy. almost foregone conclusion
that the Washington Democracy will fol-
low Bryan on the expansion issue. and
will adopt a platform substantially along
the lines laid down in the Ohio platform
last November. Chairman II. T. Jones, Of
the Democratic state committee, has said
as much. while many Democratic leaders
claim that the state convention will de-