The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-08-13
GEN. GRosvExoR AT cHAUTAUaUA

In his address at Chautauqua a few days
ago. Representative Grosvenor, of Ohio
spoke interestingly Of our colonial and
foreign relations. As 10 the Philippine
question he said it was practically elimi-
mated from our politics. This is true in
a sense, yet not literally true. The ques-
tions of expansion and imperialism. as they
were raised in 1900, will never be raised
again. No person now seriously questions
our right to hold and govern the Philip
pines. or. If a few persons do, they are
insignificant in numbers and influence.
There is no longer any war in the Phil
ippines. The army there has been re-
duced to a minimum. and the military force
retained there is merely to give backing and
force to the civil authorities. So it is true
that the Philippine question, as it existed
two years ago, has been settled in favor of
the United States. and is eliminated from
our politics. There still remain, however,
questions relating to the future govern
ment and final disposition of the islands
important enough to engage the attention
Of American statesmen for many years 10
Oiu vi Us pIllCllIt VI hON ApoSAh5 q
bridge until one gets to it, these questions
do not have to be decided at present. and
can safely be postponed for settlement in
the light of experience.
Concerning Cuba. which. unlike the Phil
ippines. is now a foreign country to US and
entirely outside of our jurisdiction, Cen
eraI Grosvenor said:
In the declaration of war was inserted
a few words which ought never have been
there, and / spoke and voted against them
repeatedly. This declaration. known as the
Teller resolution, declared that our purpose
in the war was not aggrandizement and
that We did not want any territory. / did.
and 1 had Cuba in mind. | believed then.
and believe now, that she is too near and
presents too great possibilities Of
trouble to permit her to wander away from
us i'm any way. We ought then to have
taken her on fair terms and planted our
flag there TO stay; But the declaration
just as we said we would do.
While Mr.. Mckinley was President Gen
eral Grosvenor was considered his spokes-
man, and if the former were still alive the
above declaration would probably be re-
garded by many as representing his senti-
ment. General Grosvenor comes pretty
near declaring in favor of the annexation
of Cuba, and admits that he would have
favored the acquisition of the island by
war. Such a policy would have been out
of the question when the war began. Pub
lie opinion in this country would not have
sanctioned it, and the civilized world would
have condemned it. Our only excuse for
Intervention in the Cuban war was the
liberation of Cuba, and to have seized and
annexed the island would nave been in
famous. The case was different with the
Philippines. They came to us in the natur-
al course of events as a sort of war in
demnity. The Teller resolution did not. as
General Grosvenor seems to imply. declare
against territorial expansion. 1t did not say
we did not want any territory. 1t simply
pledged the United States not to exercise
any sovereignty or control over Cuba, ex-
cept for the purpose of pacifying the
island, and when that is accomplished Il
leave the government and control of the
island to it's people," There was no allusior
to the Philippines. because when the decla-
ration of war was made no person thought
of them.
In the light of events it is clear that the
Teller resolution had an excellent effec
in holding the United States to a fixed lin,
of policy and excluding the idea of acquir
ing Cuba by war. AS General GrOsvenOl
says. the declaration went in and We have
done with Cuba just what we said W,
would do" We have indeed, and hav,
done it in a general way. Whatever tn,
future may bring forth, it can never b.
said that we have not done our full dut!
by Cuba. and this is much better than t.
have seized and annexed it. Still, the Gu
ban question is fully as pregnant of pos
sibilities as is that of the Philippines.