The record-union., 1898-08-11
HOPES AND FEARS FOR THE
PHILIPPINES.

At this writing the people are in
ignorance of the terms Of peace pro-
posed by the United States and of the
answer made to them by Spain. We
have had general statements and much
speculation, but nothing with that
definiteness and detail for which the
public is now on the tiptoe of expec-
fancy Upon the words and phrases Of
each most important things will turn.
1t cannot be concealed that the public
thought is nervous and disturbed about
the terms. There has been growing fer
a week feeling that the Administra-
ton may be outgeneraled in regard 10
the settlements to be agreed upon con-
cerning. the Philippines. In the patriot
ism and sincerity Of the President the
people have entire confidence, but they
have reason to fear the practiced arts
of European diplomatists, the treachery
and cunning of Spain and unhappy in
volvement Of this country in Com
missioner settlement of the fate Of the
Philippines.
The promises of Spain are regarded
as utterly worthless. She has never
proposed reform in one Of her colo
nies and lived up to it. We know this,
and in face of that knowledge if we
permit any commission to reinstate
her in the Orient, in any part or in
whole, on the strength Of promises. we
will be morally responsible for the in
evitable result The world knows what
that Will be.
Spain cannot govern the Philippines.
She has tried it for some centuries and
has gone from bad to worse 1t is felt,
therefore, to be sheer folly to arrange
with her for the future of the Philip
pines. With any other foreign Power
we cannot arrange, or for a moment
take such one into counsel. 1t fol-
lows that we alone ought to map out the
future of the Oriental group, proceed
ing upon the basis of the complete and
absolute retirement of the Spanish
Government, but having regard for
Spanish individual rights and the pro-
lection of persons and property.
If, when the terms of the answer are
made known, 1t is found that Spain Is
to assist in the determination of the
future of the islands, we very much fear
that agreement on our part will be out
the beginning of adroit and treacherous
diplomacy, the purpose Of which will
be to outwit us, and so involve the
question that we will be glad after a
year or two Of worry over it to drop it.
and let Spain renew her system Of OPP
preston, intolerance and cruelty.
Honestly and outspokenly, we believe
the insurgents have more right to be
the future Of the islands than has
Spain. 1t would approach nearer to
justice to consult with them, since they
are directly interested, and since we
we'll know they will be hotly antago-
nistic to any outcome in which Spain
plays any part. The insurgents know,
as We do, that Spain is incapable of ad-
ministrative reforms, and that if capa-
BILE she is at this time financially unable
to do anything involving expenditure
as institution of such reforms would re-
'quire.
Spain can institute reforms only
through men level with them, and she
has not the men for such offices. Her
on the roster who know what reform in
the colonies means, and not a score
who have not been trained to believe
that a Spanish colony is created espe-
oially to be plucked by office holders
appointed by the Peninsular Govern
ment.
If we go into council with Spain over
ihe Philippines, the insurgents will
assuredly rebel anew. What shall we
do then? Fight them to compel them
TO submit TO the tyranny Of which we
are supposed to have freed them? If
we do not do this. Spain will appeal
10 European Powers and they will aid
her for a share Of the spoil, and we will
be particeps criminis
Can we afford to be placed in such
position? Can we afford to retire from
the Philippines? Can we afford to
agree to protocol through which
future may be sifted either of chaff or
wheat, and that by reason OF its very
indefiniteness-al such protocols are
indefnite-will but make worse the
Philippine tangle? The people who
are thinking are praying now that the
Administration which has thus far so
firmly and we'll held the helm in the
stormy hundred days will not commit
them to a protocol such as it is feared
Spain has asked for, nor involve the
nation with any adjustments regard
ing the Philippines in which Spanish
faith is to play a part
we Will be beaten in diplomacy, and
that Spain viii manage to bring Eu-
ropean interests into the affair, and
thus wiggle her way out, and leave us
at the last outgeneraled and defeated
The way out is the straight way-a m
solute cutting loose from Spain ra-
garding any future adjustments. We
have begun the task of freeing tbe
colonies of Spain, and we can COM
plete it alone.
1t is taught in the schools. of all tha
land that when We made what is, known