Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-08-13
THE TERMS OF PEACE
Spanish Rule in the Colonies Should Cease
Absolutely.
A British Opinion as to What This
Country Owes Itself and
the World.
From the London Spectator.

Eioin tus AouuoH Spectator
We are by no means to be numbered
among those who think that peace is like
ly to come quickly The Spaniards may be
| perfectly sincere in their proposals and the
American government are, we feel certain,
sincerely anxious to end the war. Unless,
however, the Spaniards conduct the nego-
tiations in perfectly different spirit from
that in which they have carried on the
war there will be infinite talk and infinite
deiay-obstinancy and irresolution, ineffi-
cheney and pedantry, muddling over essen
tials and punctiliousness about trfes.
These are, we fear, the characteristics that
are likely to mark the negotiations for
peace, but these are not the characteristics
that make for swift and businesslike
action. Unless, then, the Spanish nature
has changed in the last few weeks it would
seem impossible to look for quick release
Tor the unhappy men at Madrid, who have
behind them people whose first thought
is not to face the inevitable, but to turn
their backs upon it.
Americas Duty.
But though we are not hopeful about
speedy peace, we are getting near enough
to the end to make it worth while to con-
slider what should be the policy adopted by
the United States. In opinion, the gov
eminent at Washington will not be doing
their duty TO the people of the Union unless
they insist upon two principles-first, that
Spanish rule shall cease absolutely and
forever in Cuba, in the Philippines and in
Porto Rico; and, secondly, that America,
and America alone, shall decide what Is to
be the ultimate fate of the former possess
s1onS OF SPAIN Unless these principles
are, insisted on absolutely, America may
find that the war, instead of having been n
blessing to the inhabitants Of the Spanish
CO onies, has turned out a curse, and in
stead of a movement in the direction of
humanity and civilization, an actual step
backward. In our belief, 1t Is alike the
destiny and the duty of the two branches
of the Anglo-SaXon race to govern and con-
vert to civil uses the inferior races. Ameri-
ca has before her a great opportunity for
performing this special duty in the Philip
pines and in Cuba. She is, however also
confronted with special temptation to
shrk this duty. We believe that there is
some danger of terms of peace being ar
ranged under which Cuba will be declared
independent, and the Philippines be allowed
to remain part of the Spanish dominions
under some scheme of autonomy approved
by America. These are terms which, of
course. Spain would favor, and they would
also be very agreeable to the continental
powers, who are extremely jealous OF
American expansion, and would like to be
able to say that America had not been
permitted by Europe to plumber her enemy
The Philippines.
To allow Spain to continue in the islands
the Philippines) after what has hap
pened would be cruel in a high de-
gree, for the Spanish are a most re-
vengeful people, and would treat the
men now in revolt-men who, no doubt,
have committed many atrocities on the re-
lisious orders in the Philippines-with ter
ribie severity. However many paper guar
rebels. we may be perfectly certain that in
six months there would again be civil war;
in the Philippines. To leave Spain any
chance of taking her revenge upon the
Tagals would be contrary to the interests
OF humanity. But If Spain is not to be re-
instated IN some form or other, what is to
happen to the islands? The notion of grant
ing such d population real independence IS
utterly, nay cruelty, absurd. 1t would not
be case of a new Venezuela or Nicaragua,
but of a new Hayti. The alternative of
handing over the islands to Germany or
france is Of course, inadmissibie. The
Germans keep order no doubt; but their
government OF colonies is by no means CT
the kind that gives them a natural right
OF reverson in tropical plantations. Be
sides, the Americans did not make war in
order TO create colonial empire for Ger
many The handing over of the. Philippines
to England must also be struck out of the
list of possible alternatives. We do not
want the islands, and if We did 1t would not
be wise to take them. We mean the world
to realize that our sympathy for and mr.
Outstanding with, America was not based
upon any expectation of favors TO come
The world must be taught that the founda-
tons OF the race alliance have been laid
VI on something much stronger than self
interest. The only course that remains is
Tor America to retain the islands under
her own direct control. That Is the onIy
alt rnative fair to the natives and con-
sistent with the duty of the United States
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