The evening times., 1898-11-03
THURSDAY. NOVEMBER 3, 1898.
Our Philippines Case.

There can be no successful assault
on the argument proposed by the Amer
ican Peace Commissioners to prove the
justice Of our demand for the Philip
pines. The very comprehensive and
lucid cablegrams of The Times from
Paris-which continue to give the news
twenty-four hours ahead of its contem-
poraries-this morning outlined the re-
ply that will be submitted at to-
mOrrow's conference to the expected re-
lection of their proposition. Spain and
the other nations of Europe must admit
that the considerations which led us to
interfere in behalf of the afflicted Gu
bans, compel us TO protect the inhabi-
tants Of the Philippines from further
expressions at the hands of Spain,
against whose sovereignty they have
maintained a long. if unsuccessful, re
beIlion. For the Americans to consent
TO d restoration Of Spanish rule in any
OF the archipelago would be to stultify
themselves and worse. 1t would mean
that we interfered between Spain and
her insurgent colonists in her interests
To give back TO her the possession Of a
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tive army from its contemplated attack
on Manila and from projected naval op-
erations, could mean nothing else.
Our duty TO civilization our direct OBJ
legations TO the native army which has
obeyed every suggestion and order of
Dewey. Merritt and Otis, and the die
tates of consistency, prohibit the
thought Of allowing Spain to resume
her rule, even under safeguards. The
experience of the European powers
with Turkey and of the Cubans and
Filipinos with Spain, proves that there
are no safeguards against the rapacity
and vengeance of these two peculiarly
cruel nations. The only hope Of life
for the inhabitants of the islands, and
the only hope of peace, lies in annexa-
tiOn TO America The mere statement
of the fact is the only defense we need u
make against the protests and appeals
Of the Spaniards and the criticisms of
other nations. If we offer a cash bonus
ii is a gratuity. a pourboire. and not
an obligation. Whether We shall make
such an offer depends on the disposition
OF the Commissioners and not on the
attitude OF Germany or any other pow
er. If the Spanish Commissioners re-
ject il with scorn as insufficient and
withdraw from the conference. our
proper course is quite plain. We have
only to withdraw the proffer and enter
into full possession of our new acquisi-
tions, and let whoever chooses interfere.
This business of allowing Spain to
hold the attitude of a conqueror has
gone far enough-too far in Cuba. al
though we have no hope of an early end
TO it there. At Paris the Spanish rep
resentatives have wasted five weeks in
arguing a question which We refused
to consider at all, treating with con-
tempt all the protests of the victorious
nation and disregarding its ultimatum
Of two weeks ago. It is the Americans
who should have withdrawn from the
conference three weeks ago, or at latest
when no respect was paid to their de-
cisive word If everything is honest
and above board. We have nothing to
lose by pulling out of a time-consum-
ing debate that simply gives to Spain
an opportunity to impress Europe and
to foster the idea that we do in fact.
whatever We may say to the contrary,
admit some show of reason in Spain's
contention about debts and money in
demnity. We have already allowed
ourselves to be put in the wrong by
weak forbearance. If the program is
carried out to the point of a rejection
of our proposition, our representatives
should listen to no counter-proposals
hui Shn,1Id ~ n,,o... LII. a.