The sun., 1898-11-18

A New England Journal Exposes the Anti.
Imperialist HumbuE.

Imperinlist HumbuE.
Frow ne Trovidsnos journal.
A correspondent OF the Netr York Frenins
Post gave to the editor OF that paper a mos,
suggestive BIT OF advice few days ago We
quote the correspondents note verbatim and
preface 1t merely with the statement that the
Post day In and day out has called the Admin.
istration all kinds OF names and has implied
that the demands OF tho American Peace Com
niissoners are mildly II not even rabidly insane.
The correspondent stated his point thus:
II would be the greatest possible assistance to
many OF your readers who sincerely desire to come
to right decision in the matter Of the Philippines
you would present In your columns pructleati,
alternative to our taking possession Of them.
That suggestion. In the yernacular OF plug.
uglies, hit tho Posts idea OF imperialism
sauarelJ between the eyes. But the editor re-
covered himself and attempted TO respond to
the blow. He replied In three paragraphs.
The first paragraph begins with the assertion
that III we had nothing more to do with the
Philppin es than we had last March the answe-
to this question would be easy enough" just
90. But we have much moro to do with the
Philippines than We had last March. very much
more, and thoughtful persons like the Posts
correspondent have asked: What are we GO.
ing to do about it2" The only other statement
Of importance In the first paragraph snys that
I'VE have gotten ourselves into a scrape" Not
pickering about that word scrape. the question
still is: what are we going to do about it'"
In the second paragraph the Post gives its
opinion that the Philippines would be better
of under the sleepy rule OF Spaniards than
under Tanner OF Illinois. Waddel of North
Carolina. Tillman OF South Carolina. Saylor.
the Matanzas thief Consul. or Blaine. the
drunken Captain" Does the Post wish to i'm
ply that these Ave men are typical American
offlceholders or that they fairly represent our
5000 900 inhabitants7 Still, the Post does
not come out fiat-fiooted and advise the return
ing OF the islands to Spain. It says however.
that IF we give them back to the Spanards.
or rather. let the Spaniards keep them we
shall escape ridicule and responsibility; il we
keep them. we shall probably be the laughing
stock OF the world" II the Postis afraid Of be-
ing laughed at. why does it not suggest the
practicable alternative which It's correspond
ent asks for so courteously?
The third and last paragraph OF the Posts
reply shows that 1t does not favor giving the
islands back to Spain. In this paragraph the
editor calls Senator Hoars plan Tor an inter-
national conference "the best answer to our
correspondence question !" but half afraid that
he Will commit himself TO something definite.
the editor goes on TO say that he proposes to
publish soon some extracts from Prof. Worces-
ter's BOOK ABOUT the PhilDplnes ana concludes
with sneer at the Peace Commissioners.
The genuine character of the Posts oppost-
ton. and indeed Of most of the opposition
provoked by this Governments efforts TO
face an actual condition at Manila. is in
dcated by these three paragraphs. A
correspondent with practical views put
the vital question to the editor In single
sentence. The editor made vague reply
OF more than half column in length. dragged
into it mention OF exceptional and exceptiona-
BILE American officials. shut his eyes to every
thing good and progressive and majestic in
this great republic. and then included hasty
commendation of Senator Hoar's plan. plan
which could not be carried out unless Spain
should lose the archipelago. In other words.
the "anti-imperiaists" are at their best when
lodging the one important issue. the issue OF
What are We going to do about it2" While
the editor OF tho Post Is quoting from Prof.
Worcester's book. he might choose many ex-
tracts relating to Spanish rule in the islands
which would set into amusing contrast his own
confidence that the worst political rascals in
the United States would govern the islands
worse than the Spaniards. Tanners and TILL
mans are out-and- out Goo Coos In comparison
with Spanish colonial agents and Spanish
friars. and Prof. Worcester's book proves it.