The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-05-04
FUTURE OF PHILIPPINES
ADMINISTRATION HAS DEc1D-
ED TO HOLD THE ISLANDS
Dewey as to the Number of Men
Wanted They VIII Be Sent
Promptly From the Pacific Coast
No Hint as Yet Of European
Intervention.

WASHINGTON, May 3.-The cabinet
meeting today resulted in a decision to
await report from Commodore Dewey
and then to send him the number of
troops he deems necessary to enforce
control Of the Philippines. The whole
session was consumed In general dis
cussiOn Of past events.
The administration has practically de-
cided to occupy the Philippines with a
strong military force as soon as possible
after Commodore Dewey's report, which
is expected by tomorrow, has been re-
| ceiVed. For this purpose Pacific slope
troops will be used, and it is expected
that at least 5000 will be en- route with
in the next ten days.
There does not seem to be any doubt
as to the governments purpose to hold
these islands pending a final settle
ment with Spain, when they will be
| ment to the United States Of a war
Indemnity.
High officials are Of the opinion that
none Of the powers will dispute our
right to make such final disposition Of
the islands as suits our purpose in the
enforcement Of war claims against
Spain, and in any event this govern
ment VIII be prepared to contest any
point which may be raised on this score.
The government will take steps at
once to supply Commodore Dewey's
fleet with provisions and other supplies,
including ammunition and coal, and to
this end will dispatch at the earliest
possible moment sufficient number of
ships to supply amply all possible needs
Of the Asiatic squadron. These sup
plies will be forwarded at once without
waiting decision of the question as
to whether or not the troops shall be
sent out to relieve the commodore, and
the necessity Of policing Manila with
men from his fleet.
One ship has been secured already
as a collier. It is to be a much f1eeter
vessel than those usually so employed,
but 1t will take her about three weeks
to reach the islands, and she will stop
en- route at Honolulu to replenish her
coal supply from the large accumula-
ton held there by Admiral Miller, in
order that the ship shall arrive at the
Philippines with a full cargo.
Diplomats Interested.
In the hbsence Of specific advices
from Manila, members of the diplomat
ic corps are discussing with great in
terest the future course of the United
States towards the Philippine islands.
They do not doubt that the islands will
be occupied by the American forces, If
occurred.
The only question on that point liz
said to be the number Of men Commo-
dore Dewey can spare from his fleet T..
make UP landing party sufficient TO
hold Manila and other points, when
! large garrisons of Spanish troops are
| there. 1t Is the future Of the Philip
| pines which most interests the foreign
| authorities here.
| AS to this, leading diplomatic off,
| cial said that it was unfortunate at
this juncture that the assertion was
| made by leading men here that the
| Philippines would be taken and held at
| least until the war was ended, when
| they might be sold to Great Britain
or Japan. He pointed out that while
| this course might be q wise one in due
time, yet it's announcements now only
served to awaken European quarters
when it was needless and unwise to ex-
| cite resentment in those quarters.
| There was no provision Of interna-
tional law, he said, which kept a vic.
torious nation from enjoying the fruits
| of war, by holding territory gained in
| battle.
| Intervention by the powers of Eu-
rope, he pointed out, was new pro-
cedure, quite apart from international
| law, and based only on the strength OF
|
nificantly, united squadrons often
make international law
| There has been no suggestion yet OF
| intervention from Europe from any
source, though it is felt that occupa-
tion Of the Philippines is more likely
| to develop a move in this direction
than any other step thus far taken.
A diplomatic official OF long expert
| ence in Asiatic countries pointed out
that there were circumstances connect
| ed with the Philippines which would
make their holding by the United
| States more Of burden than a bene-
fit. He said their population was made
up Of Malays, Japanese, Chinese and
half-breed Spaniards, mixed with the
| former races, making an incongruous
| people, impossible to assimilate with
American institutions. The status of
the people, he said, was far below those
! Of Cuba or Hawaii, so that the objec-
tions which had been made against as
similating the Hawaiians and Cubans
applied with greater force to the Phil
ippines.