The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-05-26
The TroubIesomc Philippines.


-S-o-S
The Troublesome Philippines.
Our dispatches yesterday and this morn
ing point to the probability of complica-
tions with one or more of the Powers Of
Europe, growing out of the Philippines.
They promise to be a source of a. great
deal of trouble to us. 1t is a question
whether it wouldn't be the wiser policy
for us to relinqu.sh all claim that we may
now have upon them. That is the view
taken by Mr.. Frederick Coudert, noted
for his acquaintance with International
law and his prominence as a Democrat. Ia
an interview the other day he said that
Admiral Dewey should blow up the forth
fcations of Manila, turn the islands over
to the insurgents, so far as he could do so,
and sail for home. Continuing he said:
I'VE started to accomplish one single, de-
clared, definite object, a most noble one,
based purely on humanitarian grounds.
Our sincerity in our philanthropic profess
sions is the only possible excuse for the
war. To maintain good faith and our rep.
utation with the rest of the world sis
worth dozen Philippines, and millions of
coolies, Cinnamon and Malays.
1--WE may count upon the sympathy of
europe so long as we adhere to our pro
| gramme as deliberately set forth to the
entire world. We can only depend upon
jealousy and distrust if we depart from
it. We told Spain she must leave Cuha.
The war was entered upon to drive her
from the island. That was our declared
object, and we should do all that is prop
erly necessary under the laws of war for
the purpose without departure from that
object"
in the foregoing extract the case is adj
mirably summed up. We did not under
take the war against Spain for the pur-
pose of acquiring territory or of extend
ing our trade. We announced to the world
that our purpose was to drive the Span
| iards out of Cuba, and that we intended
to drive them out purely and solely in the
interest of humanity. If European Pow
ers get the impression that we intend to
capture Spanish possessions with the IN
tention of retaining them they will re-
! gard us with Jealousy, and may take steps
to thwart our plans.
| II is said by those who favor holding on
man on our part to turn the Philippines
back to Spain, and also that the islands
will be of incalculable benefit to us in en-
ahling us to get big share of the trade
of the far East.
| In answer to the first of the reasons for
retaining our hold upon the islands it may
be stated that we have not yet taken post
session of the Philippines. We have pos
! session only of the harbor of the capital
city. We owe nothing TO the insurgents.
! They rendered us no assistance in de-
stroying the Spanish fleet at Manila. If Ne
should leave the islands the position of the
insurgents would be just as good as it
was before the battle of Manila was
| fought
In answer to the second of the reasons
| 1t may be stated that 1t is by no means
certain that II would not cost more to ho'd
the islands than the trade We would get
by retaining possession of them would
amount 10. 1t is not certain that we could
not get fair share of the trade of the
far East in a less expensive way.
The cost of sending troops to the Philip
pines is going to be very great. The gov
eminent is already experiencing difficulty
! in getting sufficient transports. and is
threatening to impress vessels for the con-
veyance of troops. The owners of ships,
realizing the governments necessity, are
asking outrageous prices for the use of
their vessels. The sending of the monitor
! Monterey is a great undertaking. The
monitor is a strictly coast defense vessel
and has little capacity for carrying coal;
besides, she is not well fitted otherwise for
a long sea voyage. 1t is probable that she
viii have TO be towed a good part of the
way to Manila. All things considered, It IS
a question deserving of the most serious
thought as 10 whether it would be advsa-
bic TO make a special effort to hold the
| Philippines.