IMPERIALISTIC TENDENCIES.
By C. M. Snow
In connection with the imperialistic tendencies of this republic there is being agitated the question of the control by the United States of the Central American governments. Indeed, the idea is beginning to assume life and material shape. It was but a few days ago that a bill was introduced in one of the houses of Congress inviting one of these Central American States to become one of the States of the United States. General Vasquez, a former president of Honduras, in speaking upon the subject, is reported to have said:— “There will never be permanent peace in the Central American republics until the United States assumes control of them. It will come as sure as anything in this world. I do not know just how it will come, whether in a moral and commercial power, or whether by some military demonstration, but it is written in the book of destiny that the United States shall govern at some time the South Americans. I believe in that theory. The hope of those countries rests in that doctrine.” And it is not hard to believe that it will come. The tendencies of the republic toward imperialism read in only one way. We are repeating the history of the Roman Government; but we are doing by steam and electricity what they did with sail power and galley slaves. It has been prophesied of this country that she would repudiate her principles of Republicanism and Protestantism. Her principles of Protestantism have nearly vanished already, and her principles of Republicanism are fading fast in the gloom of taxation without representation, and in the military domination of a foreign people. Imperialistic tendencies are also cropping out in the contemplated arrangements for maintaining a strong military force in this country in time of peace. According to the existing law, the size of the present army must be reduced on July 1, 1901; but there is strong indication of the passage of a proposed bill which will make military service compulsory upon all men between the ages of 18 and 45. This bill will create out of the militia a “reserve volunteer army,” established on the same lines as the regular army, similarly equipped, and supported by the national government; and the bill appropriates $4,000,000 annually for the maintenance of military equipment. The bill is obviously for the purpose of making a large standing regular army unnecessary, by making the whole male population between the ages named, a drilled and equipped fighting force, which could be called upon at a moment’s notice.9Previous to our contest with Spain and the taste of foreign conquest which it gave to the country, no such provision was deemed necessary. The citizen soldiery were relied upon for the defense of the nation; but now times have changed. The Finns are fleeing from Finland by the thousands, and coming to the United States and Canada, to escape compulsory military service in the Russian army, and other peoples are fleeing from military service in other countries to find asylum in the Americas. That asylum is on the verge of dissolution, for America is preparing to exact from them the very thing from which they fled in the Old World. The American people are losing their hold on the principles which made them a nation. The glitter of gold and the pomp of imperialism are dazzling the eyes of those who are now shaping the country’s course. The old blue room at the Capitol is now the “court room,” and reception days are “court days,” and America has her governors-general ruling a subject people—the very thing for which the colonies fought the mother country. These United States have reached the most acute stage in all their history. The structure which they builded is crumbling under the ponderous weight of military ambition, political religion, greed, and criminal aggression. There is an ominous meaning in this departure of the nation from its fundamental principles. The times themselves are ominous and terribly important. To the student of God’s Word it says that the time of Christ’s return is even at the door.