The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1898-05-11
WHAT OF THE PHILIPPINES ?

The Philippine Islands are said upon
high European authority to be the
richest islands in the world. The sum
of money sent Ia Spain yearly from
these possessions by the officials il
enormous. but ii is exceeded by the
sums sent to China by Chinese traders,
who have ahsorbedthee ntireretail trade
of the islands. A significant glimpse
into Spanish methods is given by the
statement, which seems to he mndc MS
II ii were ~ mere matter OF course ~
and nothing particularly noteworthy
about it, that the sum of money
sent to Spain yearly by the otlicinls IL
enormous, etc This does not refer
SO much to the governmental revenue
sent to Spain, which, IN itself is SO
large TINT il hns kept the natives of the
islands under the harrow 10 pay il it
refers to the ilegitimately acquired
wealth al the officials sent from Spain
4 commission rs Governor General
or Captain General or to hold any
other high plaee Ill II Spanish colony,
has been looked upon since time
whereof the memory Of man runneth
not To the contrary, nS an Official
authorization to the individual to prey
upon the poor people whom he has
been set up to rule over. II is mn nm
derstood thing in such enses TINT the
official il To make his fortune" dur
ing the time TINT he holds his office.
Just ns Weyler did in Cuba, lay selling
the protection of the army to those
who can Afford to pay for it; eNacting
money III fPtufu rUt A. ts.ttN, ~. -
operating sugar mills and raising and
selling tobacco imposing II duty TO
L. q
the usual octroi required by the Gov
eminent upon all cattle, fnrm and food
supplies taken into the city markets,
and in all other forms of high handed
eNtortion 1t is known that Weyler
went away from Cuba IA millionaire,
made wealthy by the unfortunate
ever, he only kept up the precedent
established by his predecessors.
But, while II II doubtless the duty
of the United Suites having the oppor-
tunitv. to confer upon the people of
Cuba and the Philippines the blessings
of good. honest. free Government,
1t certainly is not necessary that the
islands shall be held hy the United
States rs her possessions There art
reasons why the ownership and con
troll of Hawaii would he advisable
almost absolutely required 10y the in
terests Of selfpreservatien, lay tn,
United States the same reasons .,
far toward lustifviug the seizure 81
Cuba. III the ease of which, however
other consideratiousweig against sucl
policy But rich as the Philippine
are, il does not seem that II would b,
wise for the United States to eNcrcis,
nnquestioned right, having acquire,
possession OF them as the result of law
tul acts of war. that she should keel
them. This ~ not because of am
opposition from any European Powe
60 such retention; for If the Unite,
States is minded 10 pursue such d
course she will not bother herscl
about non lac deferred 10y any object
IONS which may come from Europe; II Il
nobody's business hnt that of Ia,
United States. and she will permit %
no Interference Nor will the PROPOSE
ton that she shall turn the islands
over TO Japan he thought foNorahlN O.
unless stronger reasons in support OF
that view than have been advanced
shall be brought forward What tn,
Philippines need IL the moro highly
developed aud perfected civilization
of Europe aud America. rather than
that which has but impertectlv begun
to take shape in Japan