The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-08-01
Conditions of Peace.

While there is no informed American
who does not feel that Spain owes this
government large cash indemnification
for the many American losses and an
noyances, past and present which are
directly or indirectly traceable to Span
ish msrule in this hemisphere, over
and beyond any demand which we
make for her REIMBURSEMENT of West
Indian sovereignty, yet it is noticeable
and, under the circumstances. credit
able to American magnanimity that no
popular demand exists for the pressing
of this claim. The reason for this
moderation is no doubt to be found in
part in the general knowledge that
territorial compensation, with its re-
sultant commercial opportunities, is in
evitable Porto Rico and Cuba, the
first Immediately. are by the public
mind already credited to the account; ;
and it is no less true that however
much our far-sighted men of execu-
tive experience dislike to undertake the
complicated problem of governing the
remoter Philippines the mind of the
people is resolved that those islands,
too, or such of them as are found to be
worth the having, must eventually fol-
low the Antillean example.
The president, in his initial discus
sion of peace terms, wisely leaves this
matter open. The point is we'll made
by those entitled TO speak for him that
as yet the government has not had
time to complete the landing of it's in
vading troops on Philippine soil, much
less to prosecute an intelligent inquiry
into Philippine resources, conditions
and social, commercial and political
probabilities. Before we are ready 10
give final answer to the question of
their ultimate disposition it is clear
that we must have comprehensive and
trustworthy information of kind that
will neCessitate many months, perhaps
years, of official research and investiga-
tion. Before we put up the flag of ter
ritorial acquisition over an archipelago
inhabited by mixed races more thar
5000 miles distant by shortest water
route from our nearest mainland port
IT is not unreasonable that those upor
whom the responsibility of deciding
presses most heavily should await the
ripe advice of their own lieutenant:
now but newly arrived at the front
The president at this time, therefore
not only deserves but will receive tht
cordial and earnest support of the
American people without distinction o.
party as he works conservatively anC
In tactful patience toward an honor
able climax for American chivalry anC
valor. That he wishes to be sure o
his ground before plunging ahead Il
as much to his credit in the considera
tion of peace terms as events hav,
shown 1t TO be in relation to his of
ficial attitude and conduct ere war wa
declared. Public comment consequent
iy should be free from any tendenc.
toward snap judgment; and expires
sion of opinion, when melted by diff
fering views OF public policy, shout,
be respectful and not hasty, ill-temp
cred or arrogant. At the same time
II is clear from the logic of event
">H Nai pS PSicVlNeu WIZ
plainness the guiding hand of Provi
dence that no inch of soil anywher
wrested by force of American arm
from Spanish rule will ever be turne
over by an American administrator
to the hands of government less flt
ted than our own for comforting upo
the people within its jurisdiction tn
blessings Of liberty, security of perso
and property, freedom Of conscienc
and equality before the law. To thin