New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-13
cOrFPNJyG THE PHILIPPINES.

Tho errand on which General Merritt goes 10
the Philippines IS thus far unique In American
history Il may not long remain So There is
annie warrant for Il. though no full precedent.
Nearest 10 precedent perhaps. was the cas-" or
California which was for brief time under a
military governor after II hid been taken from
Mexico. But California was taken under differ
ent circumstances from the Philippines. AMI the
military governorship was. thanks 10 The vast
thrush Of COL seekers. quickly exchanged for a
civil government and Statehood IN the Union.
So prompt establishment ~ civil rule in the
PHILIPPINES il not 10 be expected while OF
course. Statehood IS not even 10 be thought Of.
There is thus prospect Of a prolonged military
governorship entallng great responsibilities and
demanding the solution of important. elaborate
and IN some respects. novel problems.
Nevertheless. the assumption OF sovereignty
over the Philippines does not mark. rs some
vainly imagine. any radical new departure III
American affairs 1t marks merely the fuller
development Of our historic policy. We have
said there * ample warrant for II. That Is
given in the Constitution and approved by the
policy and practice OF the Nation ever since II be
came a Nation. Some are arguing that this -
Union Of States exclusively, and that therefore
we can properly hold no territory that Is NOT, or
IS not destined soon to become. State Moth
Ing could be more sOphistical This IS. Indeed.
Union Of States. Nothing but state can be a
member OF II. But there has been no time since
rs formation when II has not possessed terri
tory that was not q State and that was not IN
tended ever to be n State The Constitution ok
Dlicitly provides for such holding OF territory
and its government. The Federal District Is not
a State and can never become one. The North
west Territory. comprising the present States or
Ohio. Indiana. Illinois. Michigan and Wisconsin,
was not n State in 1888. yet 1t belonged TO the
United States. New Mexico has belonged 10
this country for nearly half century. get IT is
not n State and has little present prospect Of
becoming one Alaska was acquired by Ms more
than thirty years ago. with no expectation that
II would ever become n State. and we have held
It without Overstraning the Constitution. There
is no reason in fact or law or common-sense
why we should not similarly acquire and hold
other territory, whether directly contiguous with
the States, as Florida was or remotely scpa-
rated from them. as Alaska was.
For the task before us In the Australasia
seas there is, then the best OF authority In Ma
tOnal law and practice. Certainly there IS also
in international law and practice And there is.
most Of all, not only authorization but actual
compulson in good morals For the leadership
in performing Il an admirable, perhaps the best
possible, choice has been made General Mer-
rift has had snguarly varied career, uniform
only in its answering fidelity 10 duty and its
conspicuous success He will now have 10 solve
some problems entirely new to him, but he will
bring to them a preparation predicative Of re-
no MI nf tr,
ditional American policy is therefore entered
upon under favorable auspices and in full con
fidence Of n satisfactory contamination.