The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-09-07
PORTO RICO CHIEF IMPORTS FROM
SPAIN IN 1895 AND 1Sas
DUTY OF THE INSURGENTS.
From the Philadelphia Times.


ippines was not only fully justified but it
was provoked by the most heartless ex-
actions and fiendish punishment of the
Cubans and the Philippines for daring to
make battle for some measure of reform
in their local governments They Were
taxed far beyond their ability to pay.
They were punished by desolation of their
homes; by systematic starvation and by
the reckless murder of men. women and
children. They were battling for their
homes; for the right to live, and for some
voice in their own government, all of
which were denied them.
o.
The intervention of the United States
by war with Spain has won everything
for which the insurgents were battling,
unless 1t be the qualification of the indi-
vidual ambition of leaders. They are now
assured of absolute freedom from unjust
taxation; from the destruction of their
property; from interference with their
industries; from being endangered in
either life or property and from the pitt
less mastery of the priesthood in the
Philippines. They will have the absolute
liberty of law the right to work for
themselves; to enjoy the fruits of their
labors; to have their homes and fields
protected; with absolute freedom in re-
ligion and in the exercise Of all legitimate
duties of citizenship. They will be Just
as free as the people of the United States
unless they shall prove themselves un-
fitted for the freedom won for them by
our army and navy.
There is every reason, therefore, why
the insurgents should be heartily subordi-
nate to the military authority of the
United States in Porto Rico. Cuba and
the Philippines, as they will thereby gain
everything for which they have fought
so heroically for years past and made
Sc crifices rarely exampled in the histo.y
OF the struggles of man for the rights of
man. If 1t were possible to give abso-
lutte free government in Cuba by the Gu
bans We would gladly do 1t, but there, as
In Porto Rico and the Philippines, 1t is
not possible in the face of the murderous
feuds which have long existed there to
assure peace and the safety of person ami
property without this government eXer-
cising its military power until order shall
be brought out of anarchy. The insur-
gents have thus won a complete victory
by the triumph OF our army and navy
and we can have no purpose In organic
Ing governments for them beyond giving
them the best administrations with the
greatest possible freedom consistent with
common safety.
We have not only the right to expect
tue Insurgents Oh tne spanish provinces 10
bow cordially and absolutely to the au-
thority of the United States in Porto
Rico, Cuba and the Philippines. but we
have the right to demand that they shall
do so and to enforce that demand il nee
essary. With this right is inseparably
connected the imperious duty imposed
upon this government to give tranquility
and the most generous government con-
sistent with the safety of the people
Every just consideration should be given
the brave men in Cuba and the Philip
pines who have fought SO gallantly to
free themselves from the expressions of
Spain, but the government of these prov
iHces for the present, and as long as may
be necessary, must be absolutely dictated
and enforced by the United States. The
Insurgents have won everything for
which they fought and our government
has interposed simply to give them the
right to enjoy the full fruits of their
sacrihcea-