The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-07-19
rar STANTON NEWS PARTS COM
PANY WITH Us.

our excellent friend, the SlauN'oh D"i'S
News SAYS that it is reluctant 20 dissent
from the views OF It's highly esteemed
feliow gold bugs, the Richmond Times
and the Baltimore Sun, with whom We
have suffered, metaphorcaIy spedkins'
stripes Imprisonment and persecution Tor
opinions sake" but that it is compe''ou
70 do so I'm respect to our foreign policy
when the present war is over.
The News thinks it possible it might so
with us if We would propose some dis
tinct policy. but it understands us 10
simply object to foreign acquisition with
out suggesting any line of policy IN re-
spect TO the dominious that we shall
wrest from Spain
The News has not followed us very
closely. II it thinks we nave no line of
policy TO advocate. We have, on several
occasions. stated what We think should
be the policy Of this country and we
take advantage Of the opportunity to
state it again.
So far as cuba is concerned, our policy
has been already irrevocably fixed and
established by the act OF Congress, which
brought on the war. We distinctly stat
ed in that act that our policy towards
cuba was Humanitarian only; that we
had no thought OF purpose Of acquiring
that island and mat we should leave the
Cubans TO themselves so soon as we had
secured them firm and stable govern
ment. capable of preserving order after
the Spaniards were driven out Cuba's
case may. therefore. be considered as dis
posed Of and this leaves as only Porto
Rico and the Philippine Islands to deai
with.
SO far as Porto Rico is concerned we
think this country should pursue exactly
The same course in respect to it as In re-
spect TO cuba We should hold military
possesslon OF the island until the inhab-
itants have established an orderly civil
government that demonstrates its inten-
ton and ability TO keep the peace and
maintain order when we should turn the
island over to dts inhabitants ana let
them conduct their own affairs in their
own way.
We see no reason why this should not
also be our course in respect 10 the
Philippines. We entirely agree with the
News that these islands are, under no
possible circumstances TO be returned TO
the rule OF Spain. The flag that repre-
sents freedom and the equality OF men
viii never retire from a land over which
Il has once been raised TO give place TO a
nag that represents tyranny oppression
privileges and injustice That may be
taken as settled and ended. Spain will
never rule over the Philippine Islands
again.
but there are reasons Of the very deep
est import and most Overwhelming weight
why we should not make them part OF
the United states. The limits OF this ar
ticle Will not allow us TO so at large into
those reasons now, but 81 Is sufficient at
this time to say that we cannot annex
them without abandoning the essential
principle upon which our glorious re-
public rests.
But Why may We not deal with them
Just as we purpose 10 deal with Cuba,
and az The Times hopes we shall deal
with Porto Rico? Why may We not hold
up the hands OF the natives and support
them until they have learned 10 govern
themselves? The answer that will come
will. OF course, be that they are so little
civilized that We may have 70 continue
this guardianship indefinitely. This may
be so. but we have deliberately assumed
the responsibility OF protecting these
islands and islanders. and We cannot now
shrink from the full measure OF that re-
sponsibnity because Il entails disagree
able consequences. We must meet our
whole duty IN the premises. But even
n we DO have 10 keep an armed force a
long time in the Philippines, II viii not
be a matter OF very serious moment 10
ia. We will keep soldiers IN Cuba and
An Porto Rico for a long time 10 doubt,
hut we shall make those Islands pay all
the costs of Il. We can do the same
thing With the Philippines. II We estab-
Ia an orderly government there and
saaintain peace until the natives can take