The evening times., 1898-09-14
Ii Mi.hI Re MOrSe.

People who are optimistic by nature
and disposed to make The best of things
will accept the Presidents decision as
to the Philippines as much better than
it might have been, and perhaps be
glad. They will nourish the idea that
although all of the twelve hundred or
more islands except Luzon are to be
returned-for that is the proper word
to Spain, they will eventually come un-
der American rule. IL is not an I'M
reasonable expectation; but il is as well
to recognize the proba biIity that there
Will be a large amount of trouble, If
not a war OF some magnitude, before
that desired result is achieved.
We are wholly unable to imagine any
reason for returning TO the oppressive
rule of Spain the unhappy peoples who
inhabit the islands. II has been point
ed out that under modern custom we
have a right t5 claim the entire group
as an indemnity for the expense and
trouble of the war. England, Germany
anu Japan nave urged Us To keep all.
and the Filipinos themselves. through
representative citizens and by formal
resolutions, have asked to be annexed
to America. Spain, il is believed.
would make no stronger stand against
the keeping Of all than of the chief of
the group.
The arguments that have moved the
natives are that Spain would attempt
to avenge herself on the inhabitants for
their revolt, and that there can be no
peace and no security Of life and prop
eTty under Spanish rule. The sound
advice of England was based on the
reasonable fear that with Spain as
close neighbor the Americans must be
subjected to maddening annoyances
that might ultimately make our admin
istration difficult and probably provoke
a war That Spain Will be unable to
maintain peace in her territory is fore
seen by Germany, which on that ac-
count has been willing to have the
Philippines in their entirety pass into
our hands.
Nobody who understands the Span
lard will believe that the proviso for a
liberal government will be of any force.
Spain tells herself that her rule of
Cuba was liberal and humane, and that
the insurrection was purely wanton-
Not all the powers of Europe. after
years of effort, have been able to COM
pei Turkey to establish a liberal or
humane government over the Christian
provinces within her control. The Ber
lin treaty was proclaimed as the
achievement of that purpose after so
many failures Yet the massacres in
Crete are among the horrible events re
corded in the past week. So we need
place no hopes OF a liberal government
on any pledges Spain may be forced
TO give. We shall only be bound 10 try
to enforce this provision, and that may
mean trouble.
However, if we cannot have all be-
cause the President chooses to keep
only Luzon, that one is worth all the
trouble il can possibly cost. We can
well afford to assume all risks of an
other war with Spain, even when cir
cumstances are less favorable than
when the present war was proclaimed.
for the sake Of rescuing the people of
Manila and the island from the blast
ing power of a race which is still in the
dark ages, untouched by the light of
modern civilization. This rich, unde-
veloped territory can be made to bear
all the expenses of its own administra-
ton and of whatever enterprises our
rule there imposes on US. We can be
glad that we have so much, even while
deploring the fact that we should have
all. and with the knowledge that such
opportunities rarely come second time
to a nation that distrusts itself too
much to grasp the gifts the gods offer.
Chile is placing herself on war foot
-.s.I ,yIip+ of bar ava tho dirae-