The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-01-16
WILLIAM j. BRYAN
Explains His Position on Expansion.
No Declaration in Favor of Tar. X on
Wool.

Boston, Mass, January 13.-At a
meeting of the executive committee OF
the democratic state committee today
for the purpose of making ang
ments for the coming of William Jen-
nings Bryan to Boston January 3Oth,
it was announced that if assurances
made to the committee are carried out,
John p. Altgeld and Congressman
Lentz, of Ohio, will be here with Mr..
Bryan.
Kansas City, Mo-, January 13.-Wil-
liam Jennings Bryan passed through
Kansas City today for Columbia, Mo.
Asked about his Minneapolis interview
in which he was reported as expressing
views favorable to certain forms Of eX-
| pansion, Mr.. Bryan said:
Il ave for one year been discussing
imperialism and l have tried to dis
tinguish between Such an extension Of
! the nations limits as would not change
the character of the governments. n
an expansion which converts a homo
geneous republic into a heterogeneous
empire. When the annexation of any
/ given territory is under consideration
the question is: First, whether the
people want ITO come in, and, second,
| whether the people are capable of
sharing in the government and desti-
ny of this nation. I believe that all
people are capable of governing them
| selves, and that the Filipinos should
De allowed to govern themselves, but
1 do not think that they are sufficient
| ly advanced to share with us the gov
| eminent of the nation. If the Philip
pine islands are annexed the people
| there must either become citizens or
subjects. / am not willing to admit
them as citizens and do not believe
| that a republic can have subjects;
therefore, l want this nation to give
them independence and then protect
them from outside interference. The
proposed annexation must be consider
ed upon its own merits, but on con-
sidering these merits, the condition of
the people should have more weight
han geographical position or CONNER
cial advantage"
Columbia, Mo-, January 13.-Colonel
William Jennings Bryan, addressed the
students of Missouri university here to-
night in the college chapel before an
audience that taxed the auditorium to
it's utmost. When asked regarding the
report that he had changed his views
on the matter of free wool importation
and had asserted that, in behalf of
western dealers and manufacturers, he
would, if elected president, favor a
tariff on wool, Mr.. Bryan stated most
empNdIlcdlly tndl he Hdu Ildue Ho
statement whatever to the effect that
he had changed his former views on
the question. When asked regarding
| the Philippine problem he said that the
whole situation reminded him of a
looking glass, in which the American
people could see their own views re-
1ected.
I'm regard to h gold democratic
tparty," aid Mr.. Bryan" Il will say that
it will be of little Importance in the
presidential election. 1t will make but
an Insignificant showing and will
scarcely be worthy of consideration
The gold bugs who are not true demo-
Gratis, will vote the republican ticket,
while the real democrats will support
the democratic platform, including the
free silver proposition. The greatest
difficult 1 have experienced of late is
the matter of physical endurance, and
1 at times find it very hard to endure
the strain necessitated by so many
banquets."
Mr.. Bryan spoke on Pending Prob
lens and his address covered the
! broad field of political topics"