New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-02-13
ARE WE DODGINC DUTY?
A Citation of Anti-Imperialist and
Pacifist Views.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: The late Professor W. G. Sum
ner, of Yale, distinguished author and
publicist, was an active anti-imperial-
ist and an ardent advocate of peace.
Nevertheless. in a paper on 1.-THE Fal-
lacy of Territorial Expansion" speak
ing of Cuba, he says:
Here is case, then, which illustrates the
fact that states are often forced 10 extend
their Jurisdiction whether they want TO do
so or not Civilized states ara forced 10 SUI
persede the local jurisdiction OF unclviized
or hclf-civiliZed states in order 20 police the
territory and establish the necessary guar
antees Of industry and commerce. IL Is Idle
10 set up absolute doctrines OF national own
ership which would justify a group OF popu-
lation I'm spelling a part Of the earths sur
face for themselves and everybody else. les
say, p 290.)
The sum OF the matter is that COLOMBIA
tion and territorial extension burdens,
not gains Great civilized states cannot
avoid these burdens. They are the penalty
OF greatness they are the duty Of Il. Up. 1922
The claim OF a group or people TO hold a
part OF the earth's surface Is never abso-
lutte. Every group holds It's territory oy
force and holds IL subject to the obligation
10 exploit IL and make II contribute 20 the
welfare NJ mankind. II It does not do this. II
viii probably lose the territory by the CON
quest Of a more energetic people. This Is a
manifest destiny. Under the doctrine We jug
tlfy the taking Of California OP S42D
Is il not time TO consider whether
these views, so clearly and forclbly ex.
pressed, do not apply TO the United
States and some OF its neighbors at
the present time? Leaving aside what
has always been regarded as duty or
the government, the protection OF the
lives and property Of its own citizens,
duty which in Mexico no one pre-
tends has been performed, should not
me question be pressed. How long are
we 10 permit the shocking condition
of anarchy and brigandage now preva-
lent there to continue? Conditions are
infinitely worse than they ever were
in Cuba, and our interposition there
was productive of great good to the
island, to ourselves and to the world
at large.
France attempted to establish stable
government and prosperity in Mexico,
and would have done so, as she has
wherever she has acquired possessions,
but to maintain the Monroe Doctrine
We forced her out. Did that leave US
without responsibility? The same
thing is true OF the island of Hayti
End Santo Domingo, a dangerous dere-
lict in the Caribbean, from which, like
a dog in the manger, we keep every
one else away and for which we do
nothing. But for US France, England
or Germany would have taken it and
made Il, richest Of all the West Indian
Islands as it is, orderly and productive;
We go on insisting upon control and
shirk responsibility. The very people
who urge the policy Of scuttle in the
Philippine Islands, the inevitable re-
suit of which, in the opinion of the
best judges, will be another Mexico,
are loud in praise Of what Great Brit
ain has done and Is doing for less ad.
yanced peoples. And, verify, Great
Britain in this time OF her sore trial
is finding her reward in the wonder
full support and assistance her colonial
possessions are giving her.
ARCHIBALD HOPKINS.
Washington, Feb. II. 1915.