New-York tribune., 1898-11-21
TPOT RLES N NEW DEPENDENCIES

Much i being said Just now. not very fairly
or wisely about the disorders and difficulties
which appear in C.lha Porto Rico and the Phil
ippines Tic impression which men desire 10
produce IS that the acquisition of territory and
responsibilities outside the old Union. and cs-
periallv in connection with Inhabitants of diff
fercnt speech. customs and blood. must inev-
tably involve the Nation in constant trouble in
distant lands where fleets and standing armies
VIII be- pcrpetually needed 10 preserve order
and where failure TO maintain peace may AT
any time give foreign Powers occasion TO inter
vone for The protection of their own subjects.
As II is now cc~tain that there will come 10
the United States extensive powers and respon-
sibilitics regarding property outside IFS past
posses >ionS. responsibilities which can in no
way bn avoided even if AZ some points restrict
ed bli must bc mot. il seems the part OF
patriotism not to make the worst of them. nor
10 ignore or bcttlc them. hut to meet them
exactly as they are. even a. American man
hood has met all other difficulties in its long
and glorious progress.
One thing appears the surface that an
important part Of the reported disturbances is
due TO the transition state which unavoidaby
exists The Spanish power has been With
drawn or broken down. The United States is
not vet in position until treaty OF peace
has been executed, 10 decide what new terri
tory Il will occupy or how II shall he gov
erned II has at present to hold forces in read
ness for the contingency that Spain may not
agree with the United States on any treaty.
The protocol being in force. this Nation cannot
use It's power as II might otherwise TO preserve
order or prevent hOsttics against Spain AZ
distant points. II should be realized that this
state Of transition involves difficulties much
greater than would confront the Nation II IL
had nothing TO do except TO exert its authority
and maintain order within definite limits. SO
long as insurgents DO not know whether they
are 10 be thrown back under the authority of
Sp1in they do what they can 10 make t>
restoration impossible nor can the United States
wholly restrain them until II has power tc
promise something better
This state Of transition and uncerta inty. more
over. operates 10 prevent for the time the in
habitants Of new dependencies from enlistment
for the maintenance of order The strong
recommendation of some of the foremost mill
tarv authorities. approving the same policy Il
which this journal has repeatedly called al
teutlon because Of It's valu" TO Great Britain il
India and Egypt. has presumably been con
siderad with care 10y the President. but it i
easy 10 see tHit tncie DIV ''""' an" 49, 49,
stoces IN the way until something Is nnali.
settled regarding the future. As that basis o
definite certainty is reached in one dependeh'.
or another. II viii then be possible 10 caii I'M
activity the hearty and loyal ala OF many 'hou
sand inhabitants who. whether hitherto ihsuf
gents or not. accept with rejoicing The proSIec
Of American rule
II is but childish folly 10 suppose that IN
Nation cannot take. pacfy. organize ana gov
crn other possessions just a. II did terfl'orie
occupied by mon of Spanish tongue AMI D.
mixed or savage races in Ncw-MeXico AriZoh'
and Southern California and other possession
reaching all the way from the Atlantic To I'd
furthcst island Of Alaska That 1t may co'
Asuething-no little money. no little hard worl