Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1901-08-21


cupied in the east, especially with re-
gard to China, and they will not forget
either how the Columbia State sought
to hold these alleged advantages were
absolutely imaginary, and that by no
possibility could our Philippine army
be used to influence the Chinese situa-
tion.
No one who has kept up with sub
sequent developments, can now hold
that the contention Of THE ENQUIRER
in that controversy has not been fully
borne out. We disclaimed any sympa-
thy with the imputed suggestion Of un-
dertaking to conquer markets by force
Of arms; but held that because Of our
presence in the Philippines and the
ease with which we could place for
midable army in China, other nations
would be deferred from attempting
undue and unfair advantage Of us. The
Columbia State hooted at the idea that
an army in the Philippines could have
any influence on the situation in Chi
ma, and insisted that we get out Of the
country and leave this eastern trade to
Europeans, etc.
When American life and property
was jeopardized by recent disturbances
in China, and when Russia, Germany
and France began a quick rush to par
tition the country, we were enabled, by
reason Of our position in the Philip
pines, to get an army to China in the
shortest possible time, and it is quite
clear now that because we were able
to do this, we not only maintained our
rights; but our wishes as to what step
should be taken in the Chinese problem,
and we also averted what would, in all
probability, has been a bloody war,
had we not been there to make the var
ious foreign powers behave themselves.
After practically debating terms to the
foreigners and to the Chinese, we were
able to get out Of the country within
few weeks, and return to our own
territory. Even after our troops were
withdrawn, we continued to exercise an
almost controlling voice in the delib-
erations Of those who still maintained
their invading armies on the ground.
This was because the ease with which
we had gotten into the disturbed terri
tory, demonstrated the ease with which
we could return again If necessary,
while the magnificent work that had
been done by our peerless soldiers had
showed the world that our people are
Of a kind which cannot be safely an
tagonized.
Now, notwithstanding all these
things, notwithstanding that our pos
session Of the Philippine islands gives
US virtual access to all the trade Of the
vast Chinese empire, Notwithstanding
the tremendous importance of this
trade to the cotton industry Of the
south, Notwithstanding the rapidity
with which we are establishing peace
and prosperity in the Philippines, not
withstanding the almost indefinite pos
sibilities Of the situation looking to our
advancement, and notwithstanding
that all these advantages came to us as
an accidental windfall that was un-
sought by anybody, still there are those
who see no good in any Of it, and who
will not even tolerate discussion as to
what is best to be done under the cir
cumstances.
But, however narrow and partizan
may be the view that is entertained in
some quarters over this whole matter,
the progress and prosperity outlined
is going on and on. The good
common sense Of the American people
will not be baked an instant by dis
gruntled carpers, whose principal OBJ
jections are based upon the hope Of
obstruction for distractions sake. OF
course, there are many among us who
do not look kindly at these things;
there are some who do not want pros
perity of any kind; but to those who
take a broader view of the general pro-
gress of our nation, it is indeed encour-
aging to know that Notwithstanding
the selfish ambitions of sectional poll
ticians, this country continues to move
steadily and surely on to the magnifi-
cent ends so plainly and nearly in view.