Evening star., 1898-09-13
Ex- Minister DENLY Thinks We Should
Keep Them.
CERTAINLY TIE BiLND OF LUZoN
Americas Relation to the Com
merce of the Far East.
RTITION OF CHIN A

Mr.. Charles DENLY. ex-minister to China
in which country he represented the United
States for thirteen years is in Washington
on a brief visit. Mr.. DENLY is recognized
as one well informed upon the eastern
question. and his views upon that subject
are entitled to consideration. In an inter-
view Mr.. DENLY discussed the affairs of the
Philippines and the orient in an Interesting
manner
"The only question before the American
peace commissioners should be whether
this government should hold only the Is
land of Luzon or take the whole group of
the Philippines" said MFR. DENLY.
My own view Is that we should keep the
whole group of the Philippines. But may
be mistaken about the wisdom of such a
course. 1t Is simply the judgment If one
man. and he may be prejudiced by long
residence in the far east. where he has ac-
ouired exaggerated views of the iblport-
ance of that part of the world in its future
development. But L cannot conceive Of any
statesmanship in keeping less than the Is
land of Luzon. Unless the United States
does that the sending of troops to the
Philippines a great mistake. I might
say one of the most stupendous blunders.
IF we are to surrender these Islands back
to Spain and keep only coalng station, Ad-
miral Dewey made great mistake in re-
naming in Manila bay after he had de-
stroyed the Spanish fleet, and our govern
ment added another great mistake in send
ing troops to take and occupy Manila.
DO not see how there can be any question
about holding the Island Of Luzon, and I
think we ought to hold the whole of the
Philippines. l do not see how there can
be any other question before the American
peace commissioners than this, as to
whether we shall keep only the principal
island or the whole group
Why a Mistake to Take Manila.
why would you call it mistake for
Admiral Dewey to take Manila unless we
intended to retain the Island of Luzon?'
Because by his marvellous victory, which
excited the admiration of the whole world,
he opened to US a great possibility, which
caused all nations to seriously consider
America as a future power in the far east.
1t was not even a dream before DeWeyS
victory, but after that it was not only
possibility, but more than probability
and the nations now striving for the great
est influence in China accepted it as a
reality when Dewey remained there and
the President sent 10000 troops to Manila
to take possession. If we withdraw now
We throw away this great opportunity
which has been opened and accepted as the
manifest destiny of this nation. We close
the door, and close it 50 that it will never
open to us again. We shut out the far east
from our influence, and do it deliberately.
We can never reconsider such a step.
1t would have been far better for cur
trade and our influence, commercial and
religious if Admiral Dewey had never
gone near the Philippines We are con-
fronted with this great opportunity at a
time when the far east has become recog-
nlzed as the country of the greatest COM
mercial development and when China is
threatened with partition by the European
Howers
The Partition of China.
Il do not believe that China will be par
!;
sa cares for more than she has secured
the realization OF Potter the Greats dream,
port open the year round and satisfac-
tory terminus for the great Siberian rail-
DAD Russia is pursuing a. straightforward
course. looking TO the interests of Russia
i'll the far east. and that alone. With her
railroad and Port Arthur she has what she
has aimed at and worked for all these
years. and she is satisfied But the other
nations of Europe may compel Russia TO
assist In the partition of China and il they
do, the influence of America in the far
east is at an end. But with the Philip
pines in our possession, and American en-
terprisc and energy there, there will be no
partition of China and American influence
already important in the far east, will be-
come SO much greater that there will ne no
question about this country having share
in the commerce, which promises to be the
greatest OF the world. 1t is all very well
to talk about manifest destiny the obliga-
SlVe policies. but craftsmanship is after
all, the wisdom of looking after the great
est advantages for the people Of a govern
meDt
No Obligations to the FiIIpinOs.
Il do not consider the so-called obliga-
tions to the Fllipinos, for I do not know
that We have any obligations. But 1 do
consider the future of this country and the
part it is to have in the trade with the far
East, and to me it seems impossible that
our peace commissioners can for moment
consider the REIMBURSEMENT of the Island
of Luzon. If they are to do that, why did
we annex Hawaii? The Sandwich Islands
are of little Importance to US in them
selves. But they are of immense advan-
tage to us as a station in the Pacific, and
a stepping stone to the great development
in the far east. If We are to follow the old
policy of exclusiveness we should have
stopped before we annexed Hawaii and pre-
vented Dewey from going to Manila. To
call him back now means to say to the
great powers of Europe: DO as you please
with China, for we have no interests there,
nor do we hope to have And they will
take us at our word"
Gould we hold the Philippines with the
army we now have thare?"
Can Hold the Philippines.
Il have no doubt of 1t. We can hold the
Island of Luzon with a much smaller army
than we already have in Manila. The in
telligent and progressive people among the
natives and those from every other country
who live in Manila desire that the islands
should remain under American control.
How are we to hold coaling station with
out the island? We could get coal there
without station, and If we are to hold any
part of the island we will have friction and
clashing with the people. which will require
as much of an army as to hold the whole
Island. More than that we Will be con-
fronted with a grave question in offering
to surrender the islands. When we do this
there will be the impossihility Of Spain re-
gaining control, and the necessity for some
other power stepping In to secure a stable
government. ~, "a
And if Germany. or France. or Russia
undertakes to do this. there will be gen.
eral war. Great Britain will 60 to war
| with any other power that seeks to take
control Of the Philippines The islands are
on the route to india and Australia. and
England will not allow another European
| power to step in and possess such an ad-
vantage. She is satisfied to have the United
States there and so is Japan. Russia does
not object to our being there, and our hold
ing the Islands will keep the situation as it
| is and keep the peaceEjof the world, prevent
ing general European war"