The Dalles daily chronicle. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1890-1948, 1898-10-26
oUR, TROPICAL ISLANDS.


challenges our sovereignty there for
all time. 1t is an important step in
the development of the great repub-
lie. Both Hawaii and Porto Rico
are geographically American terri
tory. In one we kept out and in the
other removed European flag. The
righteousness of both acts will be adj
mitted in history. Assertions were
made that the annexation of Hawaii
would involve US in serious interna-
tional troubles and require the aid of
large army and navy. But few
companies of troops and single
cruiser are found 10 be amply enough.
In Porto Rico we have about 10000
soldiers, sent there while the war was
IN progress. Within a month the
number may be safely reduced to
One-half. We begin on good terms
with the Inhabitants, and a just, lib
eral policy, decided novelty there,
will steadily improve the feeling.
Both Hawaii and Porto Rico can be
easily governed from the seaports.
There is no extensive interior to be
looked after. Trade and commerce
are in working order. The 1nhabi-
tants are well-disposed and engaged
in their accustomed labors.
A different situation to some ex-
tent exists in the Philippines, where
it is practically certain we shall soon
exercise full military control. Prob
ably the Philippines will be ceded to
us by the treaty adjustment. We are
not pledged against assuming full
sovereignty as soon as it can be ar
ranged. The insurgent problem In
the Philippines should not be diff
cult. 1t began in fight for freedom
from Spain, and that is assured. So
are Republican institutions. If any
of the Filippinos are fighting for
power they will he disappointed. The
United States is under no obligations
to set up an independent Filipino
state, nor would it be judicious to |
attempt it. Many of the islands and |
some of their interior regions are
still unsubdued and unciVilized. The
United States has been dealing with
such races through its history and
the Ame rican Indians were more for
midable than any Filipino savage
tribes. We are not beginners in the
business of opening the wilderness
and replacing barbarism with an Or
derly society.
Cuoa's case is more complex.
Spain would willingly agree, for GER
tain financial considerations, to cede
the island. But we are pledged
against the acceptance of sovereignty
lVit out the consent of the inhabi-
Gants. Yet we are equally pledged
TO assume full military control for
preliminary period, and during that {
lime we must also accept response. ,,
oility for the safety of life and prop
erty- When Cuba is pacifed we are
ito leave the government and control
If the island to its people," The
erm 0: our military government Will
lepend upon our own view of what
pacifcation. Not that
he word will be used for clubbing.
3efore our army is withdrawn from
Juba and our officials from its Gus.
ON houses q reputable, stable and
ompetent government must be in
lght, one that Will meet proper obli-
ations and be free from the dangers
f misrule and revolution, which are
he curse of the half-Spanish sover-
ign states. BY the end of the year
ne American flag will be supreme in
'uba and the Philippines, as well as
'Orto Rico and Hawaii. The year
Sss will go into the record as one of
olendid expansion for the United
tates.