The times., 1898-05-13
Our Pncific Blockade.


this article, We are not referring to
the policy of war by slow starvation
SO far waged against our Spanish enc
mics in Havana, and. necessarily, our
friends and wards. the reconcentrados,
under their cruel control. but quite an
other thing. One, in fact, Of intense
International importancei One which
brings US into the middle kettle OF the
red hot stew of Europe over division OF
territory and commercial or political
influence in Asia, Oceania, and the Pa
cific generally. We refer. of course. to
our seizure of the Philippine Islands.
1t is a ticklish international position
which that capture and occupation has
placed us in, but it can be shown that
first-class craftsmanship would be ca
pable Of bringing US out of the comrI-
cations which are likely to be incident,
not only with credit and even glory
to America, but with a positive contri-
button on our part 10 the peace of the
world in the Far East. Let US premise
the argument by stating the postulate
that. considering our warlike relations
powers could or can have the remotest
legitimate objection TO our attacking
our enemy on sea or on shore any
where We can find him. Nor, in the
whole round world, can there be just
opposition to our taking his fleets, his
forts, or his possessions for the pur-
poses of war operations, or war in
aa
muneration, or of subsequent territor-
ial possession. involving the larger cos
mic question OF division Of influence.
in certain world areas, between the
leading powers. is another matter
which may become interesting with the
attempt at settlement certain to be
made by the beaten belIigerent, or
more or less interested third party or
parties.
There is not the slightest reason why
we should not hold the Philippine ISL
ands in peTpetuity, any more than
there ever has been that England
should cross the world TO seize and col
oniZe India. or Jamaica, or that Ger
many should gobble part of Papua, or
cupy the Dutch East Indies II we
were to choose the task Of becoming a
power involved in, and subjected TO,
responsibilities connected with the di-
vision Of areas pertaining to the east
ern half Of the earth, nobody could OBJ
ject. Under existing conditions it is
even probable that the Concert of Eu-
Philippines as a conservator Of good
government, for the protection Of COM
merce, and as a schoolmaster, to bring
the natives up to a state of civiliza-
tion and ability to take care of them
selves. Whether this be so or not, Eu-
rope need not think, and will not that
we are apt to relinquish an advantage
once gained and in possession. without
resorting to our characteristic national
alternative, a trade er a fight!
1t is absolutely true that we are not
anxious for Astatic or Oceanic terri
tory. We are, however, determined to
collect from Spain the indemnity due
US for Furnishing her for the senseless
destruction of our interests in Cuba.
and for her treachery in the Maine
massacre, by expelling her from the
Western Hemisphere, and making her
pay the expenses of the war.
We have the Philippines. In a few
days or weeks we shall have Cuba and
Porto Rico. The last-named two ISL
ands do not concern Europe. 1t may
be that We viii take the Canaries, in
which case they and the Philippines
Will form cur bargain counter after the
war. Then it Will be matter for con-
sideration whether we shall sell or
keep them.