Washington sentinel., 1901-03-09
FIGHT WILL GO ON.
Congressman GIIIett Says ProhIbi-
UiOn VIII Come.

Congressman GIIIett Says PrOhubi-
zion Will Come.
Hon. Joseph w. Bailey signal
lied his approaching transfer from
the House to the Senate by sue
cesstullV opposing a most perni-
cious piece OF legislation. 1t was
the bill to prevent the sale OF liq-
uors and firearms in certain islands
OF the Pacific.
The bill sought to extend pro-
hibitlon OF such sales over large
number OF sIr all islands, not under
the jurisdiction OF our Govern
ment, nor OF any Government, in"
hablted by native races governed
by their own tribal laws. 1t pro-
vided that ofenses committed
under this act, for which punish
ment was provided, should be
deemed TO have been committed
on the high seas and on one OF our
ships. Under this provision man
might be tried, convicted and ex-
ecuted " Without a jury trial, for an
act committed outside our juris-
dict;on, a thousand miles, it may
be, from any place where the
United States exercised control or
from any ship belonging to this
country. Yet, in order TO promote
the "Christianizing" policy OF
Great Britain. SUCH acts were pre-
sumed to have been committed on
the high seas and on American
vessels!
English missionaries, it was said
by Mr.. Gillett, Of Wisconsin, have
been most successful in civilizinP
in those islands. England has pro-
hibited the sale of liquor and ire
arms by British subjects. But
American traders are going where
the English are forbidden, are sup
plying the natives with the pro-
hibited articles, and are steadily
neutralizing and undermining the
good work oil the English mission
aries. AS a condition OF our ma
tional existence seems to be sub
servlency to Great Britain in all
things, our Secretary Of State says
interference with her aims in The
Pacific must cease, and hence this
attempt to restrain trade.
This philanthropic motive runs
counter to the policy favored by
our State Department in regard TO
the purchase Of provisions, mules
and horses by England for use in
South Africa. Mr.. Hay held that
we raised such things tor the pur-
pose ol trade. They were at the
disposal OF the Beers as well as the
British, and if the former did not
avail themselves 81 the opportunity
to purchase, that was their own
lookout.
Would not a similar answer ap-
ply in this case7 Whv do we
eng rage in the manufacture of fire.
arms and liquors7 To sell or re-
train from selling Whenever and
wherever it suited the interests and
designs of England 1t looks as
If foreign policies and commerce
alike are to regulated DY the
whims and fancies Of our English
allies.
The "civilizing" policy Of Great
Britain is not in good repute in
this country at the present time.
South Africa offers an object
lesson in cIvilizing people accord
ing to English methods which
does not appeal TO American sym
pathIes. Ireland, and america,
too, in years gone by, have had
experience of British missionary
efforts that have left indelible and
unpleasant memories. We are
justified in harboung suspicious ot
the sincerity Of England's mission
ary work in the Hebrides by what
has followed her efforts in the same
line elsewhere-a gun sold to the
South Sea Islanders now may save
us the necessity Of interfering
for their protection hereafter. L
may enable them to defend them
selves, alter they have learned it,
use.
We have had enough OF "phil
anthropy;" now let's look out 10
business. ,e have had enougl
of attempts to conform our con