New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-14
AMERICA, INSIDE.
world.

The Old World Is not to be blamed II It does
not understand the United States Relatively
an infant Nation, only century old or so. hav-
ing kept far aloof from rivalry and strife else
where, this Republic is sure to be misnter-
preted whenever It takes a step affecting even
indirectly the territorial balance between other
nations the sovereignty Of any OF the allied
dynasties. Great Britain officially mistakes us
nearly as often as any other nation. and yet at
heart understands us best, as Is natural The
bottom rock on which all correct comprehension
Of American policy must be based is that the
people Of this Nation do not covet any more
territory Just for its own sake, and are anxious
to have no more added to their care, and yet
will not tolerate any injury. or any intrusion
of European control In adjacent regions where
It would threaten the undlsturbed possession
Of territory Of right belonging to the United
States Wanting peace above all things the
American people want to bave about them no
cause for war
More territory they do not covet But they
will not have q nuisance next door To speak
plainly, Canada Is not a nuisance, and II It
had been Great Britain would ere this have
found It better to withdraw It's authority from
that country; but II governs there, on the whole.
so wisely that Americans do not think Of an
nexation. Mexico Is not a nuisance and IL its
Government is not in everything such as Ameri-
cans would prefer. It is upright and Just toward
the United States. Were there any innate or
crazy greed for territorial acquisition in Ameri-
can blood does anybody imagine Mexico or
Canada would have been absolutely undis-
turbed for fifty years?
Cuba has been a nuisance, and that Is going
to be stopped. Possibly It may become neces-
sary to the establishment of decent government
on that island that II shall become part OF the
United States, though many Americans sin
cerely hope that 1t may not be- This Is not
diplomatic statement Of the Spanish order but
naked Anglo truth. The Philippine Isl
ands were never considered as possible pos
session down to a month ago by the American
people. Knowing how little most Of the in
habtants are prepared for self government, as
must be after centuries Of Spanish rule
Americans instinctively sought. when Admiral
Deweys victory became known. some honest
disposition Of the islands by which RESPONSE
bty for their government would pass 10 some
other Power. But It was seen that Spanish
tyranny could never again be permitted with
out disgrace where the flag Of the free had once
been unfurled. 1t was seen that Japan would
not wish France or Germany or Russia TO hold
Islands so near Formosa and controlling the
passage to the Indian Ocean 1t was seen that
Great Britain might refuse to kirdle the teal-
ousy OF other Powers by Its occupancy Of the
Philippines. even as a gift. Neither would
Japan, anxious to build up a firmly established
and modern civilization before putting It Mt
risk, be likely to accept such gift II offered
Behind all is the grave fact that. as Christian
Nation. the United States is most solemnly
bound to provide the best government it can
for islands which the moral death of Spain
leaves on our hands When Europe compre-
bends how little we want such a responsible
ity. and how impossible 1t u for . Christian