Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-04-03
Member Of Philippine Commission
Discusses New Possessions.
BELIEVES IN RIGHT TO EXPAND
Says Imperialism is a Sort Of
Bogey Man.
BANQUETED BY FRIENDS

MEMPHIS, Tenn, April 3.-Gen. Luke
Wright of the Philippine commission was
rendered farewell banquet by 200 distin-
guished men at the Peabody Hotel. After
thanking his friends for the sentiments ex-
pressed, Gen. Wright spoke on the ques-
ton of expansion and reviewed the pur-
chase of Louisiana and taking in Of Flor
ida, Texas, California and Alaska. Gen.
Wright continued:
I'VE may assume. therefore, il there is
any force in the doctrine Of practical con-
struction, that the power to expand is in
herent and inexhaustible in short, that
whatever additional territory the people of
the United States think they need and can
rightfully acquire, they may constitution
ally take.
In each instance the question is one Of
expediency and not Of power to be deter
mined upon a consideration of all the at
tendant advantages of the transaction.
II know of no one who iS-certainly l am
not-a thick and thin expansionist. 1t
would be both foolish and immoral for us
to pursue policy of greed and aggression,
especially against our weaker nelS hpors.
On the other hand ii would be equally fool
ish and short-sighted to fail to acquire, by
negotiations or purchase, any needed terri
tory which we think useful 10 our people.
Anti-ImperinIists' Straw Man.
The speaker said that the argument
against Imperialism seemed to him irrele-
want, it sets up man OF straw to be
knocked DOWN The only imperator to
whom our allegiance is due the will of the
sovereign people, expressed in a manner
they have subscribed.
General Wright said that it has always
been his belief that the Island of Cuba
should be part of the United States. 1t
is situated, as glance at the map will
show as to be the key to the gulf of Mex
leo and the Caribbean sea. In our hands
the former becomes. as ii ought To be, an
American lake 1t commands the Nicara-
qua canal when built
Continuing, the speaker said: Il do not
subscribe to the doctrine that wherever the
flag once floats it must float forever: but
l do say that wherever the flag is right
fully raised it should never be furled in vio-
lation of the dctation of duty and honor.
To abandon these islands now in my mind
would be a blot upon our good name among
mankind for all time.
When all opposition to our authority is
at an end and not before the question as to
how the islands can be best governed be-
comes at once and always not only legit-
innate, but highly-important topic for dis
cussion. There shall be upon this as upon
all other important matters full and free
interchange of thought.
To Consider Their Best Interests.
are all agreed that whatever is best for
these, our new wards, is to be first con-
sidered. Humanity, justice and sound
policy alike dictate this. We are further
agreed that SO far as 1t is in our power
to give it, they shall have the same civil
and religious liberty, same rights of per-
son and property, that We ourselves en-
joy; and finally, that We ere of one mind
| that speedily as safely be done, they
should have representative government on
the lines adopted for our other territories
Just how far we cannot at onco so in that
direction and just what insTumentality of
government shall be presently operative can
only be determined after intelligent and
| honest investigation, and in the nature OF
things must largely depend upon the atti-
| tuGc toward us of the Filpinos themselves
These and other grave considerations bar
| the United States from throwing off the
burden Of the Philippines, if it be a bur
| den The path of duty lies plain before
| us and we cannot honorably recede if we
would
General Wright closed with an affcc-
| tionate goodbye to his friends and asso-
| ciateS.