The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-08-08
CITY OPTICAL PAPER.
SEATTLE. MONDAY, AUGUST ..
oUR DUTY As TO the PHILIPPINES.

OUR DUTY AZ TO THE PHILIPPINES.
Tho president is said to have remark
ID that he desired Il full expression Of
views upon the QUESTION of the Philip
pines. II may be opportune to review
The situation 30 far as this city is con-
cerned.
Seattle is placed on record as favoring
the retention of the Philippine islands.
This step was taken after careful con-
alteration of the subject and after the
views Of those who are opposed have
been given due weight. The opinion of
the majority Is expressed in the follow
Ing memorial to the president;
THE Chamber OF Commerce OF the
city OF Seattle rejoiceg with you In the
annexation Of Hawaii 1t approves the
seizure and holding of Porto Rico and
other Spanish West Indian islands. and
1t believes that the acquisition, and re-
tention OF the Philippines, the Caro-
lines and the Ladrones are demanded
BY the material interests of our own
country. by the welfare OF the islanders
themselves. and by the humane people
Of the whole world Peace with honor
requires careful consideration OF the
rights and wants Of those for whom
our nation took up arms. and with
whom We have been in a measu- al
lied
The Post-Inteiligencer heartily in
dorse this view OF the situation. As II
II q matter OF national interest and
should not be made a party question.
II Is gratifying to find that similar
expression OF opinion was Joined In by
the mayor and by the editor of a Popu-
list daily newspaper. as we'll as by the
editor of the Post-Intell!gencer. That
II may become "a party question seems
unfortunately probable. but that Will
not be the fault of the Republican party.
which has sought Ia avoid arroxating
to Itself the credit OF the policy. al
though it must be formulated through
q Republican administration.
President Graves gave expression TO
the views OF those who regard with an
prehenslon the difficulties which mnv
arise-ahd some Of which no doubt will
arisa--in extending government 10 a
people with whom we have so little In
common and who are SO far from COM
pretending citizenship as we see IL.
Nevertheless. the greatest of those diff
ncuities are no greater than have con-
fronied the American people before ana
Rave been iriumphaugly overcome. We
did not contemplate the condition which
has arisen. The acquisition Of the Phil
iprines was hardly ever mentioned In
the early stages ~ the war The ont
come OF the conflict has left us with a
serious problem upon our hands. and
the question before as was very well
put BY Andrew knox when he asked.
IF We have not the right AMI the duty
TO say what shall hr donv with the Phil
ippine islands. who has, Il Is not a
question whether We shall take tho
Philippines or leave them To Spain. I;
Is not as II we We're proposing In occupy
part OF the mainland x Spain. The
islands are mere remote from Spain
than from the United states. and they
have been 'niseFsbly mls.os esned ana
the people aFc in rebellion against spain
s.~>lf. Il We abandon them. il; ~ be 70
miserable civil war While lHsrain Is
Incapable Of terminating other coun-
tries have extensive interests there.
which are e.;rg nenacea by the condi-
ton existing on the islands. and II wr
refuse Il assume The burden Il r..
sponsihili,y. some ether nation MI. step
I'm and take ;ha, which KY right ~ cen
Gues, IS mere nearly ours
II We retire from tbs islands re in
saFsen,s Will have a. their mercy a
large number a Ene}ishraea ana Ger.
nians. and these countries VIII revey
consent II an abandonment II such
rights IS they have acquired En- con-
merce 60 the natives Who although
driven 10 resistance ~ The oppressisns