Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-09-21
WANTS LUZON.
The President Outlines His Philippine
Policy.

WANTS LUZUN.
The President Outlines His Philippine
Policy.
Special Dispatch to The Globe Democrat.
WASHINGTON, September 14.-The
president has formulated his policy
with regard to the Philippines. No
acquisition of territory for coloniza-
tion is desired. Whatever territory
is demanded will be taken because
its possession is necessary for the
trade expansion Of this country. The
president aud his cabinet are a unit
in favor of that kind of expansion.
The question of how much territory
in the Philippines was needed to give
the United States permanent base in
the far east is one which has caused
the president aud his advisers much
worry. The president at first was in
clined to think that Manila and Manila
bay would answer all requirements.
Upon further consideration it became
clear that TO defend Manila and Mani
10 bay the United States would have
to hold a certain zone of territory
around Manila. For the United States
to take any less than the whole island
of Luzon would mean the establish
ment of another and perhaps Inimical
government on the island. Compli-
cations threatening the United States
authority might at any time arise.
Such a condition was not to be thought
of, and so it was concluded that the
.cnly proper boundaries for the United
States authority N Luzon weuld be
the natural boundaries furnished by
the ocean itself. With the whole
island in the possession of the United
States, a stable government can be
easily established, tranquility assured
and the progress of the people rapidly
promoted. At the same time, the fact
that the island is under American
control will give American capital
seeking investment in the far east an
assurance of protection, and American
trade will be certain of an open door
in China, with a splendid base from
which to operate.
When the president and his cabinet
had settled upon what was desirable,
the other phrases of the situation were
taken up. What was to be done with
the rest of the islands? The revolu-
tion in the Philippines has so far been
confined almost entirely to the Island
of Luzon. The remaining islands OF
the group are as much under Spanish
authority now as they ever were. The
allowing of Spain to retain these
islands does not involve the difficulty
which there would be in seeking to re-
establish Spanish sovereignty in Luzon.
If the United States were to withdraw
from Luzon, it is very doubtful if
Spain could ever restore its authority
there. In view of the existing condi-
tions, the administration is inclined to
allow Spain to keep all of these islands
except Luzon, provided Spain will
agree to grant the population all reas-
enable reforms and bind itself at the
same time that in the event of Spain's
desiring to get rid of the islands the
Spanish government will not dispose
of them to any power other than the
United States.
These can with certainty be set down
as the terms which the administration
is prepared to offer to Spain. 1t is not
to be doubted that the peace commits
sion will start negotiations in Paris with
the assertion that we have conquered
Spain in the Philippines, and that
Spanish sovereignty over all the is-
lands has been forfeited. Whatever
Spain gets out Of the negotiations she
will get through the grace of the
United States. The president has
bound the commission only so far as
insistence upon the cession of Luzon.
Everything else is TO be left to the
commissions discretion. If Spain, for
instance, should refuse to maintain
sovereignty over the other islands of
the group under the conditions which
have been outlined, then it would be
left to the commission to determine
whelh the United States should an
mex the whole archipelago, or what
should be done.
The administration, as matter of
fact, has very little information about
of any of the islands except
Luzon, aud it was to afford the COM
mission proper enlightenment on this
subject that General Merritt is jour-
neying to Paris.