The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-09-03
WROUGHT BY THE WAR
OBLIGATIONS 1T HAS CREATED AND
IT'S UNFORESEEN BENEFITS.
Desirable Gain in National Feeling
and an Increased Influence in
the Worlds Diplomacy.


that the war is endeu (for it seems safe to
assume that ii is ended) so early and so
happiy-for US. for the Spanish colonies,
and, in spite of her present humiliation, for
Spain herself, for the result makes for civil
lization. There was never doubt that it
would end with an American victory but
that the victory would be so easily and so
cheaply won was not foreseen. Nor were
the incidental benefits foreseen, for there
are incidental benefits great as the main
result itself UnfoT essen, so, were the new
obligations that have been imposed on US
The problem of governing countries not
only separated from the United States, but
populated by different races and accus-
toned to different institutions from ours,
is new problem; but it is problem that
our English kinsmen have so successfully
solved that we shall be dull indeed if we do
not succeed, with their experience to in
struct us. The present popular mood re-
garding this new task, as regarding most
other large undertakings in which a ma
tional spirit must play an important part.
seems to be a deep-seated and safe mood.
The people, there can hardly be doubt. pre-
fer to retain the territory that has fallen to
them by the fortune of war, and they do
not share the foreboding of the intelligent
minority, whose individualism estranges
them from the national feelings, and who
see grave danger to our institutions in such
additions 10 our political tasks. National
feeling is safer guide to national develop
ment than the mere reasoning process Of
critical minds. Al any rate, it at last be-
comes the only guide.
COMMITTED TO TWO DUTIES.
The danger to our successful management
of Cuba and Porto Rico, or even of the
Philippine islands, consists not in their dis
lance from our shores, but in their difference
of population and institutions from ours.
They cannot be converted into American
States by any statutes, and no laws can
change their character Nor is there any
need that they should now or ever be con-
verted into American States. We are COM
m1tted to two duties; we have by conquest
taken upon ourselves a solemn obligation
to the people of the conquered islands to in
sure stable government, and the nature or
our institutions forbids that we should set
up any form OF goysrInment except ), one that
self-gOv ernment. Even If we wished we
could not shirk these responsibilities. We
cannot leave the people of these islands
either to their own fate or to the mercy OF
the now defeated and disorganized Spanish
rule, or yet to the mercy of any predatory
nation that might seize them. We are be-
come responsible for their development.
Precisely what form the government OF
these islands ought to take can be deter
mined only after careful study of their peo-
pie and conservative experiment with them
but to predict that we shall make a failure
in the effort to prepare them for self-gov-
eminent is a childish distruSt of our ca
pacity. We have never had task just like
this but we have had tasks more difficult.
Nor will our undertaking such task in
VOlve us in entanglementS with European
nations-if we succeed. The European ma
lions, it so happens. will look with some
what greater respect upon American efforts
at the government even OF Manila than they
would have looked six months ago.
TASKS FOR PRACTICAL MEN.
But without too great regard for European
opinion it becomes our duty solemnly and
periodically now to take our new duties
and responsibilities in hand. and as q great
nation committed to one great policy of
government, to work out these problems for
the advancement of civilization. The great
Republic can have no misunderstanding col
onies; but it can help weak people to self
government
And it will be found that the government
of each island will present itself, not as it
now presents itself to the timid. as a task
involving revolutionary dangers to our
selves and complications with all the other
governments of the world, and a denial of
the doctrines of the fathers but rather as
a practical task that practical and patriotic
men successfully accomplish.
The main result of the war, the freedom
of Cuba from Spanish misrule, has been
achieved, but the full fruits of it will ripen
more slowgly than most men at first sup
surgents had led many persons to regard
them as capable at once of self-government:
but the conduct Of part of them during
those men who knew them best-that the
removal of Spanish rule will not immedi-
ately nor easily lead to the self-governmsnt
The complete conquest of the island by
civilization Will be accomplished through
American industry and commerce, which
RriQandS
are as certain where roads are lacking as
rebellion where government is oppressive.
But the future of Cuba presents no insuper-
able difficulties. though it's subsection to
civilization may require a considerable time.
In his proclamation concerning the govern
ment of Santiago, the President in. Gated
ment to be permitted, to be required. in
fact; the United States to maintain military
control SO long as Military control is neceS-
sary for the security of life and property.
but to relax it., and at last to give it up,
when competent local government has
been created and tested. The process will
not be very different in principle from the
process of the reconstruction of the local
governments of the Southern States thirty
years ago. If the Cubans do not at first
show a capacity for self-government, the
certain increase Of American influence and
even of American population in the island
Will greatly hasten its coming. The engineer
will follow the soldier. The harbor Of Ha-
vana will be opened to the Gulf Stream-a
necessary and easy piece of sanitary work
for a century; the cities will be properly
drained and yellow fever will be eliminated
from the scourgeS of our shores. Cuba will
present no very serious difficulty till the
time comes when 1t may wish to be adj
mitted into the American Union as a State.
But such a wish is not a sufficient reason
for its admission.
And the same plan whereby local self
government will be built up in Cuba will
apply, with notifications, to Porto Rico.
One island will become an independent ter
ritory under our guardianship; the other
will be directly coded to us. But the essen
tial elements of their government under our
tutelage must be the same, for the moral OBJ
legations that we have assumed are the
same and there is but one great principle
of government that we can adhere to.
How much territory it may be wise to re-
tain in the Philippine islands 1t is impossible
to foresee; but the principle that should
govern our action is clear. We want no
COLONIES" can indeed have no colonies. -
in the continental sense: but we must fulfill
every obligation to SPANS conquered sub
jects that our conduct of the war in Asiatic
waters has put upon us, without regard to
the colonizing ambitions of the European
nations; and we shall hardly fail. moreover.
to- keep whatever strategic advantage our
navy has won in either ocean.
The war, then. brings within the sphere of
Notwithstanding civilization two of the
most valuable of the Antilles; incidentally
the Hawaiian islands and perhaps part Ct
the Philippine group: and these results can
have achieved other results quite as great
and no less great because they were unex-
pected
MARKED GAINS TO THE NATION.
We have recovered our own national feel
ing. -Four months ago we were a great
mass of people rather than compact Ma