The record-union., 1898-08-12
Gen. Polaviejo Predicts Trouble for
United States
Before the Final Destiny Of Cuba Has Been
Settled.
The Philippine Islands Question
Bound Not Only to Give Much
Trouble to America, But to
Spain and the European Nations
Generally.

NEW YORK, Aug. 11.-A dispatch to
the World from Madrid gives an in
tervieW with General POlaVle1a, IN
which, speaking of Cuba and the Phil
ippines, he says
The day will come in Cuba when all
the respectable elements-SpaniardS as
well as the foreign residents and the
old Spanish party, too-will work for
annexation to the United States in pref
erence to being governed by the sepa-
ratiSts Qnsurgents). But before an
nexatiOn is reached, Cuba will have
hard times. That is sure. She will
cause America much trouble and eX-
pense.
'As for Spain a new policy and new
men are required. The masses and the
powerful classes are now profoundly
disgusted, and are weary of the present
politicians, newspapers and leaders.
The great danger of the future is that
these yet undecided but controlling ele-
ments may be driven into Carlism or
democracy.
The Philippine question is bound to
give much trouble to America, to
Spain and to the European nations gen
orally. 1t is unWise not to understand
that the Americans have taught the
nations of the Malay race to face Eu-
ropeans. This will tell against any rul-
ers of our archipelagOes and will be
felt in the far Eastern colonies of Eng
land, France and Holland, because the
spell of prestige has been scattered to
the winds.
The Americans have approached the
Philippine problems without enough
study and preparation. Having been
badly informed by their Consuls, they
have committed the erroneous mistake
of supposing that the natives are capa-
BILE of carrying out Anglo-SaXon notions
of s9f- government, administrative, de-
Capitalization and liberty of conscience.
Directly they We're rid of the Euro
peans, the natives in every insurrec-
ton, even in the last ones, have in
stantly returned TO their primitive con-
ditions. Affecting to elect the little
kings and chieftains, with absolute
power in each district, they keep up the
worst features of our officialism, and
even in religious matters stick to those
outward forms and ceremonies of wor-
ship which most strike the imaginative
Oriental races. though religious feelings
never penetrate deeply into their al
most childish nature.
II
the instructions They sell them
selves. like Aguinaldo, or ask for titles
and crosses like many of the so-called
loyalists America must bear this in
mind.
II fancy the United States Will be
content with few naval stations, and
really aim at commercial advantages
which Spain would grant. The object
of America NAV even be rather to Sc
cure advantages over European COM
petitors, who, like England, France and
Germany, We're ahead il the archipel-
agoes.
But Japan is a rival not TO be dis
dained, as her foreign and commercial
policy is fostered and directed by able
far-seeing, ambitious men. She cannot
extend northward on account of Rus
sia Germany must necessarily so south
and east toward the Spanish sphere of
influence.
II have studied the eastern countries
carefully. The European Powers do
not pay enough attention TO formidable
econmicaI and commercial rivals start
ing into existence in China and Japan.
1--WE, perhaps. better than any others,
could have dealt with the differences Of
ruling our archipelagoes because we
are accustomed to handling heteroge-
neous races under our sway. Only We
cannot undertake to do so unless al
lowed a free hand without the draw
backs of American interference or pro-
tectorate to cripple our costly efforts
to re-establish imperial rule.
THE religious questions will give as
much trouble as the commercial ques-