New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-08-14
RETAIN THE PHILIPPINES.
REASONS FOR THIS POLICY ARRAYEn
By +. J. MORGAN, EX-COMMIS-
SIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS

SIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: l sympathize fully with your attitude
regarding the Philippine Islands Up to the be.
ginning OF our war with Spain had been very
conservative with reference to territorial expan.
sion. but have been forced by circumstances IA
greatly modify my opinions. This marks
a new epoch in our national history; it does not
leave us as It found u.s. It has thrown upon IN
duties and obligations from which we cannot
honorably escape. We just much under
OBLIGATION to take care Of Porto Rico provide
il with a Republican form Of government, and
promote its intellectual and industrial prosperity
rs we are to do the same thing for Oklahoma or
New Mexico
Our duty toward the Philippine Islands is al.
most as clear as with reference to Porto Rico
They have come into our hands precisely as
Porto Rico has. and almost every argument for
retaining Porto Rico is equally valid Tor retain
ing the Philippines. They are ours by honorable
conquest; they can be made OF immense COM
mercial advantage to us; they VIII insure TO W
National supremacy in the Paclhc ocean, they
will enormously extend our zone ~ influence In
the Far East; they will greatly enhance our
prestige as one Of the great world powers; the
political thraldom from which We nave liberated
their people is even more burdensome man that
~ Porto Rico. tho suffering necessarily TO en-.
sue II we restore them to Spain would ne severe
and long continued; we have assumed oDlga.
tons toward the insurgents and all those whom
they represent which we are bound To RUM; We
are in danger Of precipitating an international
conflict If allow them to be parttioned
among the great Powers Of Europe; we seem to
be providentially called to ext nd TO ten millions
of people the blessings Of civil and religious lib
erty. education. peace and prosperity the best
sentiment OF the world. at home and abroad, Is
that we should meet with intelligence and firm.
ness these new duties.
our failure would be ignominous. 1t may not
be wise to annex the Philippine Islands and en-.
deavor to incorporate and assimilate its peo-
pies. but surely we ought to maintain our au.
thority there until the people are prepared to
govern themselves.
Our history has been distinguished from the
beginning by three great factors: First. terri.
torial expansion: second. successful colonization
and third. healthfuI assimilation Of alien peo-
pies The only elements Of novelty in the case Of
the Philippines that they have come 10 US
by conquest: that they are separated by wide
expanse Of water and that large numbers Of
people are suddenly thrown upon us. But these
facts do not essentially affect the problem. BY
our growth in resources in numbers, IN expe-
rience and in facilities of communication We
are better prepared to-day TO grapple with these
new problems than were to handle those
that grew out Of the Mexican conquest or out
Of the Alaskan purchase Great problems pro-
duce great men Great opportunities develop
great nations.
NewYork. Aug. Il. 1898 T. J. MORGAN.