The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-11-29
FUTURE OF THE PHILIPPINES.

By the members Of the commission, and
II is certain that Spain will accede 70
the demands OF the United States for
the cession Of the Philippine islands
There has not been, since the 6estruc-
ton By Admiral Dewey of the Spanish
fleet In Manila bay. any question of the
ultimate result OF that victory. Dis
tasteful as the task which 1t was forced
10 undertake might be. there was no
way 10 avoid the responsibilities thrust
upon the United States. Had there been
any honorable means found to do 50.
there is no doubt but President Mckin-
ley would have gladly awaited himself OF
it. Spain was unable to re-estabIish her
sovereignty, which. at best, was never
secure: the natives are incapable of and
the islands TO Spain would be to inau-
gurate a more or less protracted period
Of rebellion, bloodshed and anarchy. II
Spain undertook to dispose Of them TO
one OF the powers 1t would probably re-
suit In a general war. There was but
one course to pursue and that the presi-
dent has taken. Now that the islands
are about to become the property of the
United States the question how to gov
ern them will be discussed with much
interest. and IL Is not too much to say
that upon the proper solution of tnis
publican party depends. and to a GER
tain degree the future welfare Of our
country, 1t is problem demanding the
most careful thought. and Ia its solution
craftsmanship should be laid aside and
the united wisdom OF congress given to
its study. There viii be many plans
suggested and Of them all the one best
suited to the occasion should be select
ed. The difficulty will be in deciding
ready been given the subject and many
valuable suggestions made
Prof James b. Thayer, OF Harvard.
agrees with all other recognized author
tiles in constitutional law in the opinion
that no existing constitutional power
appears to stand in the way Of congress
In fixing any political status 1t pleases
upon the proposed annexation But he
adds
no FIR -
settle down after this war without doing
what 1t did after the last war. namely,
amending the constitution The crisis is
hardly less grave. We should at once
provide by amendment that no region be
You'd sea should ever become a state Of the
Union. Unless this be done party exigen-
eies viii prove too much for us and we
snail 80 TO the dogs.
To this suggestion the Washington
Post objects for two reasons. The Post
points out the fac: that no amendment
to the constitution has been adopted
since September, 1904. save at the close
of the civil war The conditions exist
ing at that time are not existing now,
and the Post. therefore, concludes that
an amendment OF the character pro-
posed by Prof. Thayer could not be
adopted. Although IT does not so state.
yet Il Is evident that its conclusion
that ''the outlook for Prof Thayer's
proposition would not appear 10 be ex-
tremely hopeful" is based on the pre-
mise that the amendment proposed
would be looked upon as a strictly Re
publican party measure and be opposed
by the Democrats in congress and re-
jected by Democratic states. The Post
further argues that the time MAY CHIME.
although IN the far distant future.
when Porto Rico or Cuba. or even dis
tant Luzon may be thoroughly Ameri-
canized. and qualified. in every essen
tial. for American statehood, and seek
admission. I'm view Of these ard other
possibilities" says the Post. it may h..
doubted If two-thiris of both houses Of
congress and three-fourths II the state
legislatures could be induced To vote
for Prof Thayer's proposition"
While the PostIntelligencer agrees
with the Post that there is no fear of
the country going tc the dogs even
should Prof Thayer's proposition not b.
entertained by the people. it does not
agree with the Post or its reasoning
against advocating the suggested
amendment The facs that the Demo
cratic party opposed the annexation If
Hawaii and is still more opposed 10 tn,
acquisition # the Philippines ought. il
that PARTY wishes 10 be consistent. II
cause II 10 be the strongest advocate ~
such an amendment The mere fact that
an amendment ~ the character pro-
posed would he submitted 20 congress-
would. without doubt. bring votes for
the treaty in the senate. TIE Post
intcjil gencer believes the territory Oh
tained by the United States from Spa!n