The record-union., 1898-05-27
OCCUPATION OF THE PHILIP
PINES.

PINES.
It is evident that the Government
has resolved upon sending such force
TO the Philippine Islands as will en-
able us to hold the fruits of victory
there with a view TO exacting proper
Indemnity for the costs of the war
when the settlement Of the terms Of
peace shall come on. But there is
growing up a strong sentiment favor
able to the permanent occupation Of
the whole island group, and it is even
asserted that the Administration has
that purpose in view, and will shape
Ats action to conservation of that end.
There is no reason whatever for the
entertainment of such belief. It is an
established rule of international law
that only SO much territory as is taken
from an enemy by actual occupation
can be claimed in permanency. The
United States at this time occupies a
single harbor in one of the 400 larger
Islands Of the group. Spain's claim Of
proprietorship in the Philippines has
been largely visionary She has never
conquered or brought under the rule of
her authority more than 100000 of
the 100000 people of the archipelago.
There are hundreds ofthese islands upon
which no Spanish foot has trod, and
more than half of the savage inhabi-
tants of the Philippines have not even
felt so much as the pressure of a Span
ish proclamation.
1t is idle to talk Of the United States
undertaking the task of bringing this
multitude of savages in the Orient un-
der the restraints of civilization and a
republican form of government, con-
cerning which they have not the slight
est conception. If the doctrine of the
right Of the governed to choose their
own form Of government is to prevail,
as it should. by what warrant can we
Justify extending to them our form
upon the point of a bayonet. To occu-
py the Philippine group, control and
govern the people, would require a half
million of soldiers, and an annual ex-
pense startling to contemplate, without
any possible recompense unless, indeed
we are to start out upon the mission of
carrying the gospel of the republic to
all the nations Of the world backed by
military force.
Nor can there be found warrant in
the Constitution for such a scheme Of
colonial empire as the proponents of
the new proposition advance The ter
ritories and property Of the United
States Congress may hold guard and
protect, and the Constitution so ex-
pressly provides. But distant posses
sions taken by. arms, conquested in war
and held as dependencies do not enter
into the scheme of the Constitution.
But as a result of war, as a right won
from an enemy, as a necessity for our
commerce and the safety of our fleets,
unquestionably we may by way of in
demntty secure and hold such ports
and possessions in any waters we navi-
gate, as are necessary to our uses in
such navigation; for the repair, safety
and coaiing of our fleets, and as har-
bors of refuge for our trade upon Amer
ican bottoms. Indeed, there is no ques-
tion of our right under the Constitu-
tion to purchase such spots, and we
have done so without demur on the
part Of any in the case Of Pearl Har-
Dor, which was acquired under treaty
expressing good and likewise valuable
consideration for the transfer.
The policy Of this Government, there
fore, should be to occupy as a war
measure so much of Philippine territory
as viii tend to hasten and make perma-
nent our victories. When the terms of
peace come to be settled, we should
then insist, as we'll we may, being vic
tors as we certainly shall be, upon ces-
sion Of such ports and adjacent terri
tory as is necessary to their occupancy,
as are needful for the United States.
dts expanding trade and the safety of
our naval fleets. Beyond this we should
not proceed. There should be diligent
cultivation Of disfavor Of the idea that
we are to take, occupy and make a
part of this Union the group of Philip
pine Islands.