The Portland daily press., 1898-06-23
onIo REPUBLICANS AND TsrPERIA.


The declaration of the Republicans of
Ohio upon the question of the annexation
of the territory that has been or may be
conquered from the Spaniards, is non
comlnittal, and perhaps that under the
circumstances is the best disposition that
ould be made of it by popular conyen-
ton. Though there has has been oonsid-
cradle discussion of the question in the
public prints and by certain prominent
men in desultory way, it has, in a
sense, been premature, and may be mis-
leading, since at the present time there
is no Spanish territory actually in our
possession, and the exact conditions that
will exist where there is, cannot be fore
seen. Reasons pro and con which seem
pertinent now, may not be so when the
question has actually come up for decis.
ion.
A declaration by party state convention,
for or against, on a question of SO much
Importance, ought not to be given until
the facts which are necessary to base
an intelligent decision upon are general
ly known and their significance tho.
roughly understood, since it is likely to
have weight in determining the national
party policy. Before party convention
| undertakes to decide the fate of the
Philippines, the members of it and the
people they represent ought to be tho
roughly informed in regard to the charao-
ter, disposition, capacity, habits and GUS
toms of the great mass of the people who
inhabit them. Without this informa.
ton they will necessarily be acting in
the dark, and will he as likely to arrive
at a conclusion that is unwise as wise.
Furthermore they should have some
knowledge of the responsibilities annex
alton of the new territory is likely to
impose upon us, how much 1t is going
to cost and what we shall receive in re-
turn.
On none of these things are the people
generally informed today. Only month
ago the Philippines were virtually a
terra incognita to the most of-the people
of this country. They knew there were
such islands in the Pacific ocean, but
very few knew of the number Of their
They have learned something about them
since, but the great mass are
far from being sufficiently informed
today in regard to them to be able to say
intelligently whether their annexation
would be benefit or detriment to
the United States. An opinion pronounced
now by a party convention would be a
leap in the dark, and for that reason
none ought to be given. AS far as party
conventions are concerned the proper
course to pursue at present is to hold the
question in allegiance until more light is
shed upon it by discussion and the dis
closure of the facts. To undertake to
commit the Republican party at this
time to the indiscriminate aunexation of
everything we may take from the Span
inrds would be exceedingly unwise, and
might cause serious discussions in the
party. On the other hand to declare that
under no circumstances should we hold
on to any Of the conquered territory,
might provo embarrassing under the con-
ditions that may confront US when the
question comes up for q final settlement.
The Ohio resolution may be criticized
as a straddle, but it is better to straddle
fence and consider awhile than to take
the risk of getting down on the wrong
side Of it for the sake of appearing to
do something.