The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-08-09

hardly be that we shall quit as soon
almost as we have entered into posses
sion The best form of government for
the Philippines may be a difficult prob
lem for US to solve; but a difficult duty
is not satisfactorily performed by run
ming away from it. We must face the
task in earnest, and work out the prob
lem, whether it be along the lines of
Philippine independence, or a protec-
torate, or such an occupation as that of
Egypt by the British. We entered on
this war in the cause of humanity; and
humanity fOrbidS that surrender
the Philippines to the tender mercies of
Spain.
CFrom the Kansas City Start
The United States needs the Philip
pines, but not worse than the Philip
pines needs the United States. The civ
ilization which Uncle Sam would intro
duce in the Asiatic islands would, in
time. affect the destiny of millions of
people, and bring to them a happier
and better lot. 1t is not to be expected
that, with it's natural growth and with
the additions which it receives every
year by immigration, the United States
will be content with its present area.
1t can not be possible that the splendid
power which it has displayed in the war
with Spain is not to be applied to a
profitable use in extending its own in
fuence and in lettering the condition
of people who need its aid.
The policy of Imperialism for the
movement of the planets. 1t arises
from causes which can not be restrain
ed or repressed, and it involves as one
of its logical processes the occupation
of the Philippines.
EFrom the st. Paul Pioneer Press1
We can not give the Philippines back
to Spain consistently with any princi-
pie which justif1es our war with her.
That is the fundamental moral fact
which is decisive of our national duty
in response to the demands of the ma
t1OnaI conscience. To restore them to
Spain would make the United States a
cOnsenting party to that Spanish mis-
rule to overthrow which we have raised
and equipped an army of 100000 Amer
lean citizens. 1t would make the United
States responsible to the world and to
posterity for the deliberate re-estab-
Hshment and indefinite perpetuation of
the very evils it had undertaken to
remedy. No geographical limitations
can be put upon the exercises OF this
national duty within the legitimate
sphere of our military and naval power.
Wherever the progress of the war has
carried our flag in triumph over the
colonies that have been for centuries
the helpless prey of SPANS plundering
Satraples, there it should remain
their only present security for freedom
and progressive civilization
[F'rom the San Francisco Chronicle
At present, if the views of the Repub-
Hcan and part of the Democratic press
the demands of commercial bodies and
the common talk of the streets can be
cited as majority sentiment, the people
are in favor of the annexation of the
Philippine group. It is admitted that
various traditions of the republic are
not in accord with the policy of colonial
gain, but this plea is not held to be de-
cisive. Freedom and suffrage for the
negroes was a marked departure from
our national traditions, but the country
is better for the departure. Times
change and Obanoa
| What may have been good policy for
the United States when it had a cOnti-
nent of its own to civiIize and SETTLE
and when but few of the European ma
lions were competing keenly with it and
between themselves for exclusive trade
privileges, is not necessarily good poll
cy now that the continent has been ex-
plotted and when American trade is
subject to the keenest and most insist
ent rivalry. In 1871 we could have done
nothing with the Philippines and per
haps nothing with Porto Rico. They
would have proved white elephants on
our hands, just as they would today on
the hands of the people of the Trans
with the increase of. American popula-
ton, which must be kept busy and
prosperous, the lawful chance to ac-
quire new fields of wealth and enter
prise, new means of revenue and COM
! merce, is not to be adjusted to the
parochial craftsmanship of the eigh-
teenth century. We are able now to
take care of foreign possessions and
make them contribute to the sum of
national greatness. Then why should
we not accept them?