The times., 1898-08-10
OUR ONLY COURSE.
A Friends View of Our Philippine
Problem


There is no question about the sincere
friendship for America of the London
Spectator. aud also there is no dolibt
a'sout the generally sound Judgment of
that journal ON questions of foreign pol
icy. We may take what 1t urges with
confidence that it is unselfish. In a long
article it says:
In our opinion the Government at
Washington will not be doing their duty
to the people of the Union unless they in
sist upon two principles-first, that Span
iSh rule shall. cease absolutely and forev-
er in Cuba. in the Philippines and in Porto
Rico; and, secondly, that America, and
America alone, shall decide what is to be
the ultimate fate of the former possess
sions cf Spain. Unless these principles
are insisted on absolutely. America may
find that the war. instead of having been
blessing to the inhabitants of the Span
ish colonies, has turned out a curse. and
instead of movement in the direction of
humanity and civilization. an actual step
backward. In our belief 1t is alike the
destiny and the duty of the two branches
OF the Anglo-Saxon race TO govern and
convert to civil uses the inferior races.
Our race is meant to do in the world the
work of foreman and gauger. and in do
Ing so not only helps the peoples con-
trolled and directed, but also gives it's
own nature les true development.
America has before her a great oppor-
tunity for performing this special duty in
the Philippines and in Cuba. She is how
ever, also confronted with a special temp
tation to shirk this duty. A large party
in America are still inclined to say. Let
US keep to our own continent Let us not
run unknown risks outside. II We go cru
sading about the world we shall get into
endless difficulties and troubles and lose
our independence On the other hand,
there is another party, and one which.
II mistaken acts from high and honorable
| motives. which declares that America
must show her perfect bona fides and her
absolute disinteres.edness by taking moth
ing for herself except perhaps the Island
OF Porto Rico and a coaling station in
the Philippines. The rest of the Philip
pine group and the whole of Cuba are to
be left as monuments TO America dis
interestedness. and to prove that she is
not iandgrabbing power.
Considering the strength of these two
schools of opinion, we believe that there
is some danger of terms of peace being
arranged under which Cuba will be de-
clared independent, and the Philippines
be allowed to remain part of the Span
| ish dominions, under some scheme of
autonomy approved by America. These
are terms which. of course. Spain would
favor. and they would also be very
agreeable to the Continental powers who
are extremely jealous of American eX-
pansion. and would like TO be able 10
say that America had not been permitted
| by Europe to plunder her enemy. As we
have suggested. we should ourselves
view peace on these terms with the u
most dismay. What would be the result
! We know by this time something of the
| Cuban insurgents. and Il cannot be
doubted that Cuban independence would
mean a Spanish South American Repub-
| lie. not of the Gillian, but of the Vene-
Zuelan or Nicaraguan type. anchored off
| the coast of Florida. In other words TO
| give Cuba independence would be TO
| hand the island over TO civil war Can
| the Americans find 1t consistent with
! their duty to do that? They will be told.
no doubt. that they are pledged TO leave
| Chbd~ " ntt late the very EilGQlGlOQS
clause inserted into the joint resolution
| of Congress. We imDlore them not to
be bound by words spoken rashiy and in
Ignorance. The. declaration was in no
sense promise or a contract. and con-
sidering how different Is the actual situa-
! ton from what il appeared TO be- the
Americans have, in my opinion, a com
| plete right TO withdraw from 1t. Their
| position at the end OF the war will be
H.
| in Egypt, and for them. as for US. the
boldest and most straightforward course
| will be TO admit, that they were rash and
| ignorant, and that since they cannot act
! up TO their declaration without running
| the island fof Cuba. they intend to with
draw y. =
We sincerely trust that a similar pol
| icy will be pursued in the Philippines.
and that the thousand and more tropical
| islands that form the group will be re-
| tatned by America. To allow Spain to
continue in the islands after what has
| happened would be cruel in a high degree.
! for the Spanish are a most revengeful
| people. and would treat the men in revolt
men who. no doubt. have committed
many atrocities on the religious orders
| in the Philippines-with terrible severity.
However many paper guarantees were ar
| ranged 10 protect the present rebels, we
| may be perfectly certain that in six
months there would again be civil war In
| the Philippines. To leave Spain any
| chance of taking her revenge upon the
| Tagals would be contrary to the inter-
| eSts of humanity. But If Spain is not to
| be reinstated in some form or other,
what is to happen to the islands, The
notion of granting such a population real
| independence is utterly. nay, cruelty. alb
| Surd. If would not he a Of au-
| Venezuela or Nicaragua. but of new
| Haiti.
| ''The alternative of handing over the
| islands TO Germany or France is, of
| course inadmissible The Germans keen
| order. no doubt; but their government
| of colonies is by no means of the kind
| that gives them a natural right of rever-
sion in tropical plantations. Besides, the
! Americans did not make war in order
| TO create colonial empire for Germany
| The handing over of the Philippines to
| England must also be struck out of the
| list of possible alternatives. We do not
| want the islands. and if We did it would
| not be wise to take them. We mean the
| world TO realize that our sympathy for,
and understanding with. America was moi
| based upon any expectation of favors Ia
| come. The world must be taught that the
| foundations of the race alliance have
been laid upon something much stronge,
| than self-interest. The only course that
| remains is for America to retain the isl
| ands under her own direct control That
! is the only alternative fair to the natives
| and consistent with the duty of tbs
| United States
Insurgents MS Our Soldiers.
From the New York SUM-