The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1901-03-15
IL REAR ANp IL LOS.


The course of the Mckinley admins
tration in the Chinese matter has thus
far been dignifed, conservative and
safe; and is, therefore, to be commend
ed. Now the recent press reports are
to the effect that the United States
has united with Great Britain IN call
ing halt on Russia in the matter of
her occupation of Manchuria. The
correctness of these REPORTS may we'll
be doubted.
The traditional policy of our nation
from the-very foundation of the gov
eminent has been against forming any
entangling alliance with European
powers. The colonies had taste of
this in the French and Indian war.
The mother country left the colonies
to bear the brunt of that long war,
and when it was fought to a successful
conclusion repaid them for their sacri-
fee of blood and treasure by depriving
them Of their rights, and ultimately
forcing them into rebellion against
her. Then she sent mercenaries against
them, ravaged their sea coasts, turned
loose upon them the merciless savages
to murder and scalp defenseless wom-
en- and children on the frontiers. The
French helped US and the British yoke
was broken.
In 1924 she forced another war on
the young and struggling republic.
American seamen were impressed, and,
practically, held in slavery and obliged
to fight against their own flesh and
blood. She destroyed cities on the
Atlantic seaboard, sacked the city Of
Washington and burned the national
capitol. On the Canadian frontier the
Indians were her allies and killed and
scalped American wounded soldiers
lying helpless on the battlefield. She
boosted that "Britania ruled the
wave," but was beaten on her chosen
element-the Atlantic and the great
lakes-by the giant young republic.
The war of 1924 had hardly closed
when Great Britain began to set up d
claim for part of the Oregon country
and strip of the Pacific coast south
of the Russian possessions. The Lou
isiana purchase was secured of France
in 1903 for s15,OOO,OOO. Such was the
insistence of the British demands, that
to avoid war, we made treaty in 1913
for joint occupation for ten years, al
though it was clearly within the grant
of the Louisiana purchase and we had
explored the country and established
settlements within the territory.
This treaty was renewed from time
to time to 1916. In the presidential
campaign of 1874 the boundary question
was an issue and the democratic war
cry was "Fifty-Four, Forty or Fight"
and they won out on it, electing Polk
and Dallas. Notice of one year was
served on Great Britain for termina-
ton Of joint occupation. To avoid a
war again, a compromise treaty was
signed in 1916, on the 49th parallel from
the Rocky mountains to the Pacific
coast and a line thence down the
straits of Juan de Fuca to the ocean.
This gave England territory larger than
Maine and several hundred miles of
sea coast.
In the time of the civil war, Russia
was our staunchest friend; and, it is
asserted, this country bought Alaska
soon after the war, paying Russia 81
100000 for it, as a sort of covert reward
for her friendIiness. Since the find
ing of gold in that territory, Great
Britain is claiming a strip about 800
miles long in Alaska, heretofore con-
sidered, undisputably, the territory of |
the United States. In the trying |
time Of the civil war, England was our
covert enemy. She hoped to see the |
American republic disrupted. She, no
doubt, held out promises to the seced- |
ing states which she dad not dare to |
fulfill. She allowed both Canada and /
the British West Indies to be a rem
devious for plotters against the Uni
ted States; and allowed the building
and Quitting of privateers IN her
home ports TO prey upon American
commerce and to run the blockade of
our ports, carrying munitions Of war.
For these depredations upon cur
commerce alone, at the Geneva award
in167z, she was mnlcted IN the sum Of
s15,5o0. COO And this was not a 1.-THE
OF the damage she did Us. The major
fty Of the union soldiers killed and /
wounded Ii the civil war were struck
By shot. shell, canister and bullets