Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-09-22

stitution They visited Italy, France,
Switzerland, Germany, Austria and
England, their itinerary including all
points of interest in the various coun-
tries. Mr.. Post had ample opportun-
tiles for study of social conditions in
Europe.
''Tne condition of the peasantry and
poorer classes in the European coun-
tries furnishes striking object lesson
in imperialism" he said, In talk with
Register representative yesterday.
''Tlhey would all be rich and prosperous
if it were net for the enormous burdens
which they are required to carry. Ii
the American people could realize the
conditions in Europe they would never
embark ON any policy that tends to-
ward militarism. 1t is the curse OF the
old world. don't think our people will
ever consent to accept such conditions
unless they are forced upon them grad
ually.
''In Germany the claim is made that
they can place five million soldiers In
the field. 1t is a common thing to en-
ter town and find garrison on a hill
engaged in military exercises and drills,
while peasant women are doing the
work in the fields. We saw military
companies everywhere. The people are
taxed as heavily as they can possibly
stand, for the expense of maintaining
this vast non-productive population is
enormous. and it falls upon those who
are left behind. Conditions in Italy are
truly deplorable That country is max
ing a vain effort to maintain as big an
army as Germany has. There Is the
same military spirit in France. Eng
land appears to be hard up for soldiers,
as all the home companies appear to be
composed of young boys. We witness
ed many pathetic scenes at the railroad
stations. where women in tears chung
to departing fathers, husbands or BROTH
ers about to be transported to China or
South Africa. The people are grunm-
bling about it. too, and they look upon
their government with fear rather than
love"
what are European impressions
about the present policy of the Mckin-
ley administration? asked the reporter.
"They poke ridicule at us on account
of the Inconsistency of the position
which we have taken. They say we
started out to engage in great benevo-
! lent war. and that we are now identified
! with them in the land grabbing bust
ness They say that they used to en-
gage IN benevolent wars, too, but that
they have long since dropped that
mask I read a remarkable editorial in
| the London Chronicle OF July 10th,
| which stated that the American public
| has Just become an empire; that we
| had demonstrated that government
could be maintained at an absurdly low
cost, saving ourselves the difficulties of
large army and foreign entangle-
nents but that the policy of the last
administration was only such as an
empire would undertake, and places
America in the line of assuming iAe
duties and expenses of Continental
countries. The Chronicle said our
boosted policy had been departed from
and that consequently English competi-
| ton VII. America would be lessened.
! 1T was a sort of a glad note In the
| discussion of the question by the Times
apd other London papers. They laid
stress upon the point that no matter
what Americans might term their new
| policy, 1t was only question of nomen-
| clature-that kcKinley's policy is SIM
ply Imperialism.
! "All the Continental papers predict
! McKinley's reelection, and when you
! investigate you find that their forecasts
are based on the assumption that the
| President who can WELD such despotic
powers abroad, can certainly exert
/ enough influence and power at home to
! control the election. | was in Ger
many when Bryan was nominated, and
this was the tenor of their comments
upon American politics. They say the
| Queen would not declare war without
| consulting Parliament, nor the German
| Emperor without consulting the Reiehs-
| tag. They say there are only two rul-
ers who exert such authority-the
President and the Gar OF Russia. They
cannot understand why Mckinley, with
such absolute authority as he appears
to possess. cannot be reelected if he
wants to be-
Has the disposition of Europeans to-
ward Americans been affected by the
| SpanishAmerican war;" Mr. Post was
asked.
Il heard the war discussed very lit
tie. I met the wife of our Minister TO
Portugal, who had just passed through
| Spain, and she told me that it was very
unpleasant for Americans in that coun-
try. We did not visit Spain. We were
| treated with every courtesy and con-
sideration which we had right to ex-
pect In every country that we visited.
The people of each nation ara all in
tensely selfish, but / rather think they
all feel kindly toward Americans. In
Germany there is bitter feeling toward
England This is because of sympathy
for the Beers. but more particularly is
| ii natural hatred for England We
were especially well treated in Ger
many, where we spent more time than
/! in any other country we visited.
| Mr.. Posts companions made study
u l-EuA--