Rome and Modern Imperialism
The leading Washington correspondent of the Chicago Times-Herald and of the administration, speaking of Congress and the Philippine Islands, says that there is a suspicion “that speculators are swarming into Manila, eager to gobble up mines, lands, and franchises,” and that “it has been suggested that the speculators, the commercial houses, the banks, the franchise seekers, had a good deal to do with forming” what is called the “federal party” in the Philippines, which is asking for wider powers for the Philippine Commission. Of Rome it is written that, when she had spread her power over the whole basin of the Mediterranean, and had turned into Roman provinces or Roman dependencies these dominions, “over this enormous territory, rich with the accumulated treasures of centuries, and inhabited by thriving, industrious races, the energetic Roman men of business spread and settled themselves, gathering into their hands the trade, the financial administration, the entire commercial control, of the Mediterranean basin. . . . Governors with their staffs, permanent officials, contractors for the revenue, negotiators, bill-brokers, bankers, merchants, were scattered everywhere in thousands. Money poured in upon them in rolling streams of gold.” The ancient history of Rome is modern, even up-to-date. And it will continue to be so; for the great influence even to the last day, is “the Image of the Beast.”