The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-07-12

from a 1lltHU OF ne lihi'o N+h'i eN'@'"
UP its position in respect TO what shall
be our course when tho war is ended SO
admirably that we reprint it this morn
ing. IL is as follows:
If Not Imperialism, Then What?
Editor of The Times:
Sir:-If i have correctly apprehended
the views OF The Times, touching the ~
ture policy OF the United States IN deai-
ing with the Spanish Colonies, Whlch
shall come into the possession OF TINS
country, they are wise and statesIhah-
Ike. Briefly stated they are as follo"S'
You would have this country enter upon
ma noiiov of conquest and territorial ag-
erandizement. but you would have II
shrink from no duty which 1t owes 10
humanity. freedom and civilization. Inc
limited states should free these unfortd-
nate people from Spanish misrule and
onnression IL should protect them from
conquest by any other power. 1t should
nrevcnt anarchy. establish order anu
maintain peace throughout their borders.
If should guide and direct the people OF
ou these colonies into the paths OF peace
full development. and III them as raploiy
as possible for the duties OF seii-goVerh-
mont. And so soon as they may be sum-
GENTLY advanced in education, seh-coh-
troll ard civilization TO maintain govern
ments Of their own, we must give lheh
absolute independence.
10 NV mind this seems a wise solu-
ton of the great problem which Is be-
fore us. But / wish to ask The Times
10 give its readers n little light upon the
views of those who are denouncing I'm
neriarisn." Expansion" and the Ike
while carefully RETAINING from express
inc any opinion as to what the pohcy
Of This country should be. II MT. W. D.
Rrvan and Mr.. Cleveland wish 10 inilu-
ence men who take the trouble 10 thlnA,
and who wear no party collar they must
offer some definite idea. They must ten
us what we ought 10 do. and let us near
less about what we ought not 10 90
Their denunciaton of those who hold me
conservative ideas set forth by Ihe
rirces seems 10 me out Of place. and
puts them I'm the position Of mere KICK
ers. H.
The Times could not have summed up
its policy more concisely and satisfac-
torily than this writer has done. though
we are not prepared TO join with him In
his criticism Of Messrs. Cleveland ana
Rrvan. They have not felt called upon as
,,et 70 do more than state their objec-
films 10 a policy of Imperialism NO
doubt they have matured views OF the
policy we should adopt and they are We
none the same as our own views. and
tbev viii no doubt be ready to bring them
forward when they think the tire is ripe.
our duty i'm respect TO the Philippine
Islands IS very clear TO us. but we confess
we were a little troubled Tor time by
the suggestion which IS said to be re-
ceiylng some favorable consideration at
washington, that the United states
should consent that they shall be govern
ed. until they can govern themselves, by
q mixed commission appointed by the
great Powers of Europe ina conjunction
with ourselves. The Samoan Islands are
thus governed now by an English. Ger
man and American commission. and the
experiment seems TO be succeeding. But
upon reflection we have become satisfied
that this will not do We have chosen
TO assums-a position Of responsibility 90.
wards the peop.e Of the Philippine Islands
ana we cannot now shirk or evade any
OF the duties which those responsibilities
impose upon as.
our duty is plain. We have got to
guard and protect these helpless people
until they can take care Of themselves,
and then we must set them free and
start them upon their career I'm the fam
ily Of nations without embarrassments or
burdens Of any sort whatever. This IS
our plain duty But IN we allow Germany
and Russia and France and the other
European Powers 20 take part in con-
Quoting them through their period OF
fuielage. we shall have admitted those
Powers 10 a footing upon the islands and
when the time comes for turning them
loose 81 will not be within our power TO
free them. We may only have rescued
them from one bondage TO turn them over
20 another. The proposition IS not TO be
considered. We have chosen TO take pos
session OF these islands and We must
now meet all the responsibilities Of the
situation frankly and in good faith.
We confess that we still feel consider
able concern in regard 10 the position of
some of the European Powers in this con-
nectlon. A week or more ago 1t was very
positively cabled from Berlin that Rus
STA. Germany and France had come to
an understanding that when the war
ended a European congress would be call
ca TO decide what should be done with
tho Philippines. subsequently that was
contradicted, but the agent Of the Asso-
ciated Press now cables from Berlin
again that there IS no question about the
understanding having been arrived at
and that It is the present intention OF
Russia. Germany and France to force as
TO dispose Of the islands as they may
determine.
Very well. II these Powers have resolv-
ca upon this course. they must be met
with a perfectly firm demeanor, and, II
It involves us in war with all Of them,
we must accept the war. 1t is very
dreadful alternative but we cannot per-
nit Europe 10 dictate TO us what we
shall 90. II The struggle must come then
let It come Mr. Mckinley must not fall
ter or hesitate about his course.