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Story
January 20, 1900
The Topeka State Journal
Topeka, Shawnee County, Kansas
What is this article about?
W.L. Brown observes that Scandinavian immigrants in Kansas are shifting from the Republican Party due to opposition to U.S. foreign policies on the Boer War and Philippines, predicting Fusionist gains in elections.
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REPUBLICAN LOSSES.
W. L. Brown Says Foreigners Are Not In Sympathy With Administration.
W. L. Brown of Kingman, who has been lecturing over the state on Odd Fellowship, gives the following statement of his views, based upon observation:
"You know there is no politics in Odd Fellowship, but in spite of that fact one cannot help hearing things that helps him to form opinions. From what I have learned of the political situation in this state I believe that the next governor of this state will be a fusionist. It would not surprise me if the Democrats and Populists elect the next United States senator and nearly all the congressmen.
"I have recently been out among the Scandinavian element of this state. They are mostly in Salina, McPherson, Ellsworth and Marion counties. They are nearly to a man Republicans, but they are changing very fast on account of the position of the present administration on the foreign question.
The apparent alliance between this country and England does not please them. That is especially true of the Russian element among them who do not believe in war. They left their mother country because they were opposed to war and were forced to do military duty. The Swedes' sympathies are all with the Boers in this war with England. It seems that a large per cent of the Boers are of Swedish origin. I talked with several of the leading Swedish citizens of this state and every one of them told me without reservation that they were against the policy of the present national administration in regard to its dealings with the Boers and the Philippines as well. The Swedes said they left their native country because the large standing army was oppressive and kept the taxpayers in poverty. They said they would oppose any policy or party that favored bringing about such conditions in this country. They think the holding of the Philippines as colonies will necessitate a large standing army in this country and they are radically opposed to it.
There is no question in my mind that the Scandinavian element in this state is arraying itself against the present national administration because of its policy in regard to the Boers and the Philippines. They are leaving the Republican party and the Scandinavian people cannot be driven from any position they take by party bosses."
W. L. Brown Says Foreigners Are Not In Sympathy With Administration.
W. L. Brown of Kingman, who has been lecturing over the state on Odd Fellowship, gives the following statement of his views, based upon observation:
"You know there is no politics in Odd Fellowship, but in spite of that fact one cannot help hearing things that helps him to form opinions. From what I have learned of the political situation in this state I believe that the next governor of this state will be a fusionist. It would not surprise me if the Democrats and Populists elect the next United States senator and nearly all the congressmen.
"I have recently been out among the Scandinavian element of this state. They are mostly in Salina, McPherson, Ellsworth and Marion counties. They are nearly to a man Republicans, but they are changing very fast on account of the position of the present administration on the foreign question.
The apparent alliance between this country and England does not please them. That is especially true of the Russian element among them who do not believe in war. They left their mother country because they were opposed to war and were forced to do military duty. The Swedes' sympathies are all with the Boers in this war with England. It seems that a large per cent of the Boers are of Swedish origin. I talked with several of the leading Swedish citizens of this state and every one of them told me without reservation that they were against the policy of the present national administration in regard to its dealings with the Boers and the Philippines as well. The Swedes said they left their native country because the large standing army was oppressive and kept the taxpayers in poverty. They said they would oppose any policy or party that favored bringing about such conditions in this country. They think the holding of the Philippines as colonies will necessitate a large standing army in this country and they are radically opposed to it.
There is no question in my mind that the Scandinavian element in this state is arraying itself against the present national administration because of its policy in regard to the Boers and the Philippines. They are leaving the Republican party and the Scandinavian people cannot be driven from any position they take by party bosses."
What sub-type of article is it?
Historical Event
What keywords are associated?
Republican Losses
Scandinavian Immigrants
Boer War Sympathy
Philippines Policy
Anti Imperialism
Kansas Politics
What entities or persons were involved?
W. L. Brown
Where did it happen?
Kansas (Salina, Mcpherson, Ellsworth, Marion Counties)
Story Details
Key Persons
W. L. Brown
Location
Kansas (Salina, Mcpherson, Ellsworth, Marion Counties)
Story Details
W.L. Brown reports that Scandinavian immigrants, formerly Republican, are opposing the U.S. administration's pro-England stance in the Boer War and colonial policy in the Philippines due to fears of a large standing army, predicting Fusionist electoral victories.