The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-01-21

- pAtttS NNh iuel~etNH ~ (" "htNNHb oAAi-
Gle in the Lonaon Ecohomist, reproduced
for a wider restigg in this country by
the discriminating editor Of Liitel's Liv-
ing Age. The Economist, with tho advan-
tage OF a closer view Of tue situation than
is To be had on this side OF the water and
the added advantage OF many years OF
familiarity with the practical workings
OF European colonization and colonial
management, teaches the conclusion with
out any qualification that Spain mas now
before 1t the task of reconqGering both
Ser colonies IN tine Philippines ana
In Cuba and that this task. Is so difficult
that 1t may be assumed to be well nigh
impossible. TO ne, with a wide interest
In the Cuban struggle for liberty of intel
ligont people right at our doors, the re-
volt in the Philippines has not been appre-
cisted in due proportion but the Econo-
mist declares that the problem OF main
tanning control Of those FAR away islands
presents actually more grave diflicuti es
than does the Cuban situation. the in
hstitants of the Philippines number six
millions, or about three times the popu
lation of Cuba and they are scattered over
sn immense number OF i,iands Of an
aggregate area greater than Great Britain
and Ireland. They are mostly Malays OF
traditional resoluteness in fighting.
The so-oalled control Of Spain over all
these lands snd people has peel more
matter of tanning them over to the clergy
for converting and such passive control
based upon religious acquiescence to
religious authority as is thus indicated,
rather than the political control Of the
government st Madrid. And IL appsars
that the present rebellion is largely
directed against the clergy, suggesting
even an appeal to the government in
preference to their further management.
AAC BOFNihASht hhN, hoNSNSh, NlsHuIUNh
itself as power that can be called into
conflict with the clergy and has pursued
its campaign as tire backer Of and sponsor
for the clerical rule.
Expressing sympathy for Spain, declar-
ing its faith that government by Euro
pean power IS the best thing possible for
the Philippines and for the world and
denying that no other power has any de-
sire to pick up the ISLANDS IL lost to the
Castilian, the Economist can yet offer no
hope OF assistance to the sister monarchy
or encouragement fer its warfare. "when
Spain possessed the most magnificent
empire in the world," declares this ex-
ponent OF British opinion, "she never
swsryed in her government of her colo
nies and now that she has so few left she
appears to adhere TO her principles more
tenaciously than when she governed
great part Of two continents"
In full agreement with that sound
American view that has bad opportunity
for close stady of Cuban conditions as
representative example, the Economist
attributes the failure of Spain and jts
present plight due to colonial misgovern-
ment, to three cardinal mistakes. Briefly,
she bas used her colonies entirely for the
advantage OF the spaniards at homo ana
has sucked them dry; she has placed in
control over their affairs spaniards of
the most offensive type, weak,
avaricious and tyrannical; and she
has developed deeply rooted ng-
gressiveness against the religious
that she sought 20 trans
plant direct from her own soil, regardless
OF the wishes OF the colonial peoples for
home rule in religion. Inc FIRST two
charges against her management is made
in all the colonies and while the last does
not appear to have created an issue in
Cuba, It was vital cause OF the anti
Spanish feeling In South America seventy
years ego, as 1t is in tho philippines
today.
The article from which We quote is
chiefly interesting because 1t demons
Stratos that the opinions held n this
country are not unsupported abroad, ss a
good many sincere lovers OF freedom have
been led tc believe they were, who, how
ever they might be opposed to mouarchical
principles are still disposed to let the Old
World attend to its own buslnoys. how
ever that business might hc managed.
The inventor, or discovorer. Of dyna.
mite, the late ALFRED nobel, leaves his |
entire fortune, amounting to $4,000. .0gl, |
to be degotei 10 the Ira tQrests OF sriaure