New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-08-05
THE LOGICAL SOLUTION.
HOLD. GOVERN, DEVELOP AND CIvILIzE
TIE PHILIPPINE IsLANDs.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: The argument which has had most we,sAt
with those who are opposed to the retention OF
the Philippine islands under our flag has been
that II would involve a change OF policy ana
an abandonment by the United States Of its
traditional attitude and lead to the establish.
ment Of colonial governments. Now. however
that Hawaii has been annexed. and that Porto
Rice Is to be kept, the change has been mada
for they must long be governed as coloniea
ona tbero can be no question OF our right ana
ability 80 to govern them The principle being
,hus conceded and the new departure made, ,As
or,,, ouestion that remains Is as TO how broadlv
II shall be applied.
Shall we 80 extend II as to cover the Pnilippnesf
We have conquered them, ana the only soyer.
eighty that exists there Is ours ana IL Hes abso-
Iutey with us to determine their future Why
should we shirk the responsibility tnat has cone
N Ms? We can keep the islands. and civilze and
d.ve,on them as England has done with her de-
tendencies in different parts OF the world. W.
ar. =, the same race and ability. and We M
,oroor have a frontier nor can bid our enter.
prising young men to "go west. They will
gladly 60 East under the flag, and with the
Nicaragua Canal, Hawaii and cable line we
cnn transform the islands In decade To turn
them back to Spain would be criminal. after
having broken their chain. To deliver them over
TO Agunaldo for fifty years OF Central American
experience would shock the moral sense Of the
world II we retain simply coaling station and
say we have no concern with the rest all the
great Powers approaching the vast opportuni-
ties of the opening East, Will rush in for piece
OF what is left, and a collision among them In.
volying US is not unlikely. Nor could We divide
them up among the Powers.
The simplest most natural. most logical solu-
ton is to hold them all. govern develop and
civiIize them. It Is great opportunity, and op-
portunity here means duty, and advantage as
well. China is waking up, and before long will
be the greatest field for trade In the world. With
the power and prestige which nourlshing col.
ony at her very doors would give us, We may
expect our fair share Of IT. and no country needs
II more than we. England, Germany and Russia
have seized Chinese possessions TO be sure that
their interests in trade are protected and fur
thered We can safeguard ours BY simply hold.
ing what we have taken in honorable war.
That IT would lead TO still further acquisitions
need not be apprehended. for everything else In
sight Is already in strong hancs and not liable
70 change. Nor would large Army or Navy b
reouired Dewey had only the usual Asiatic heet
and that would always be ample to protect our
interests there and moderate garrison OF
colored troops would suffice for the maintenanc
~ order. It is no new thing that war should
bring us the unexpected. and II has been the
unexpected that has proved To be Of the greatest
hene6t IN rs Washington and the fathers repu.
dated all sugge stions of separation from Great
Britain when they began the War Of the Reyo'
,ut,on. but Il came and made us Nation Both
nar,ies in 81 declared that they were hgnting
solely for the Union, and slavery was not an eie-
uent in the conflict But the abolition OF slavery
canoe and was the greatest blessing the war
hrought rs So when we entered on this wa
We said we were not fighting for territorial ex'
mansion. but It has come. and as In the otner TWO
cases the greatest benefit TO us will prooao1
be from unexpected consequences.
Another consideration far-seeing statesman
shin cannot ignore: With the entire Philippine
groun in our possession 1t would be impossioh
Tor any Power to attack our Western coast, fH
ws should hold every available position fos
ooo,ng stations or ports OF outfit. Nor must
he forgotten that Spain was fully informed tha
the war might bring to her the loss OF all nes
colonies and chose to take the risk. Furtner
more international law and the usages OF wal
Justify the victor in demanding an indemnify
Snain Is bankrupt and can pay no money ana
unless we take the Philippines we snail CONS
ont with nothing but Porto Rico. which Is whoiv
INADEQUATE as an indemnity. The people OF inc
country have a right 10 expect that the Govern
~ ont will look after and safeguard their inter
ests in this respect.
We. like everything else In the world physe@
ard moral. are under the law or deVeiopmehs
which works generally slowly and impercepuo",
hut sometimes by sudden upheavals one "
these has just appeared In our history. ana
tidal wave Of destiny has swept US from ou'
ancient. isolated mornings and we can no longer
~ we wish, live to ourselves alone.
perplexing problems will doubtless arse ou
We are strong enough and wise enough 70 SOW
them. and with broader horizons many Oh W.
narrowing questions Of small politics VIII ".
aprear. and a serener. purer political atmosp"s''
preyail. Let us not hesitate to stand whe'e "
belong. in the forefront OF the nations. u'"'s
every power and advantage we have ana e'e''
opportunity that comes to us. fully. for our o"'
benefit and for the advancement and upiiu"s
Of mankind. ARCHlbALb fio'
Washington, Aug. 2. 1895
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.n.pruV np nCSTCN RTyTDING FUND