The times., 1898-06-03
DESTINY BEcK0NS TO US
Possession of the Philippines
May Alter the Worlds Map.
ENGLAND TAKING A HAND
The Situation in the Orient Renders
the Policy of the United States OF
Vital Importance to the Great
Powers - The Capture of Manila
May Have Been More TbUn War
Measure,

England is bending every energy
known to honest diplomacy TO the pur-
pose that the United States shall agree
to hold and permanently occupy the
Philippines.
This information comes from an au-
thentic source, having been impaired by
a high Administration official, whose
name is denied publication at his own
request for obvious reasons.
No attempt is made to deny that the
Philippines have for some time been a
source of perplexing anxiety to those
upon whom will devolve the RESPONSE
bility of determining a future American
policy in the Antipodes. There has yet
been no occasion to define a position on
the issue, the public mind having been
too much occupied with the rush of war
events. nor will there be any necessity
for defining it until the closing scenes
Of the international drama are
at hand But a policy regarding the
territory in oriental waters. of which we
have forcibly gained possession must
/
trend of affairs point to an early day of
final reckoning with Spain and her pos
sessions.
The day is close at hand when the
question of violating the fundamental
principles of our Republic or adhering TO
the Monroe Doctrine and the policy of
our forefathers must be finally settled
The seizure and permanent occupancy of
Spain's West Indian possessions. and the
annexation of Hawaii cannot figure in the
issue. being generally grouped as Ameri-
can TERRITORY, and therefore such acquisi-
tions would awaken but slight apprehen-
sion of international complications.
But the problem of the Philippines pre-
sents very different aspect. The pow
ers are grumbling over a division OF Chi
ma, fairly aching for an equitable con-
quest of the Orient. They are preparing
TO back up their claims, just and unjust,
by force of arms. and Europe trembles in
a balance posed upon bristling bayo-
nets.
Is America to put aside the doctrines
OF her birth and appear upon the horizon
Of conquest in the East? The occupancy
and colonization Of the Philippines would
amount TO nearly this.
Why England should be desirous that
these islands come into the permanent
EBSStSSlOl OF the OIlLGu oAdAtH - NtA
obvious. To the oriental tides of the Pa
cific her eyes are turned in longing for
new possessions and to America she looks
for support when arrayed against the
powers Of Europe.
Following out this thought. the posi-
| bilities of the future may be elaborated
| to a point where the map of the world
/ may be radically altered.
With the Philippines and the Sandwich
| Islands in our possession; with the proba-
| biiity Of an AnglO-Saxon alliance and
| with the almost moral certainty of Amer
/ lean support when the expected disrup-
| ton of European peace has arrived, Eng
! land sees herself in a position to dictate
terms in the Orient and control a division
| of the spoils of conquest that must inevi-
| tably follow the passing of the Chinese
/ empire.
| After dwelling at length upon this line
! Of thought the official previously referred
! to said:
Il do not think there is anyone who
! can speak with authoritative knowledge
concerning the Presidents attitude upon
this. the gravest, most momentous prob
| lem that has faced the American people
| in the history of their nation. The war
has awakened a desire for extending
/ American territory such as has never be-
| fore taken possession of this republic.
! President Mckinley is known TO believe
! would not be indorsed by public senti-
/ meut- On the other hand, he hesitates
at assuming the immense responsibilities
| of inaugurating policy of colonization
| in foreign territory.
| The Presidents attitude as concerns
] the permanent possession Of territory now
| accredited 10 Spain in American waters
/ by our map makers is clearly understood
! by his close advisers. In general. his
! policy agrees with a well defined public
! sentiment in behalf of colonization: but
the details Of this future policy I am not
! at liberty to make known, although they
| are quite well formulated.
THE problem of the Philippians has
| been mentioned generally in Cabinet
fmeetings but so far there appears to
! be hesitancy about rushing into the re-
/ spousibilities likely to result from Dewey :
! victory at Manila l think it is not a.
/ together impossible that the order given
! Admiral Dewey to seize the Philippines
! bare deeper significance than a mere war
| measure against the enemy
! Il do know that England is using every
! possible leverage of persuasion to the end
+ that this country shall take permanent
! possession Of the islands. Correspondence
/ to this purpose has passed between the
! state officials of both nations. Yet it
! would be premature. perhaps. to say that
negotiations are progressing. At all
. events This Administration will be called
upon to decide an issue that may change
the destiny Of the world