New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-27
EEEECTS OE DELAY

Many times In human history the most STUPID
and reactonary elements have earned the graf
1tude or mankind by securing the adoption of
measures which they detesed, through their
ignorant resistance TO other measures which
they detested less 1t Is conceivable that the
Little Americans" Of this day may be destined
TO render similar service to the country and
the world. A fine lack of practical sense usual
~ helps most the cause II likes least and with
out any such intention the anti-expansionists
seem about TO push forward expansion With
all their might
Thus they speak Of delaying and If possible,
defeating the treaty of peace If they could
reject It, If they could even bring back state
OF hostility. do they imagine that another
month would then leave the United States DOS
sessing only what II holds now! 1t is not exactly
possible TO reject the treaty and still have the
peace. II more war should come instead that
would evidently mean more expansion 1t ia
equally probable that the outcome Of new and
prolonged negotiations if the opponents of the
treaty could bring that 10 pass would be a
greater and not less transfer OF territory and
power TO the United States. For the POSSIBLE
1ty OF being turned over to Spanish misrule
again would kindle such outbreaks In the Phil
ippines and IN Cuba also that the United States
would be forced to go further and exercise
greater power than 1t has yet contemplated
The hope Of freedom under government by this
country is the one thing which has helped thus
far TO prevent disorder.
But these consequences need not be extern
sively considered, for the treaty has decided
majority In the Senate, unless all information
Is in error. and a majority can prevent any de.
csive vote that Is in the least degree liable 10
result In rejection. 1t Is to be said that as all
know preliminary canvasses by people of vari-
Gus shades OF opinion indicate with apparent
certainty more than twO-thlrds vote in favor
Of the treaty. But II II should not be found
the majority has power to postpone the bust
ness until the next session. when the presence
OF many new members will render ratification
still more probable. The state Of uncertainty
meanwhile prolongs the very condition OF
things which the opponents Of expansion most
detest They cry out against military rule OF
dependencies or provinces, but by opposition &c
the treaty prolOng that rule because Congress
obviously cannot begin to legislate for the gov
eminent OF possessions which the trea making
power has not yet consented TO accept The
prolonging Of that unrestricted and unlimited
military control will be the work. not Of the
friends, hut Of the opponents Of expansion
And II after such prolonged delay the treaty
could at last be defeated ii is obvious that con
tnued American possession and administration
the establishment and fertilization Of armed
bodies and the enforcement Of just and ws'
laws would presently render 1t utterly impos
sible to secure recognition of any other author
ity as the result OF renewed negotiations.
1t is but fair TO say that nobody knows wha
the anti-expansonists desire, and perhaps
themselves least Of all. They have not beer
able to offer any solution whatever, 10 describe
any course regarding the lately Spanish de
Tendencies which II is possible for the United
States to take. But II Is easy TO see that NJ
matter what course they may possibly prefe