Evening star., 1898-11-02
10 IMPERIALISM IN II
Providing Stable Form Of Government
for the Philippines.
Comment on the Address of Senator
Hoar Last Night-rhe Obligations
of the United states.

The address of Senator Hoar in worces-
ter, Mass, last night, in which he made a
strong argument against the adoption by
this government of an imperial policy. has
attracted great deal of attention In Wash
fngton. Coming as 1t does, at a time when
by stress of circumstances the administra-
ton has been compelled to demand of
Spain the entire REIMBURSEMENT of her SOW
ereignty over the Philippines, it sounds like
a republican protest against the course of
the administration, and in the opinion of
some is calculated to have an effect on
politics not altogether favorable to the ad-
ministration.
1t is a fact we'll known In Washington
that President Mckinley is no more in
favor of an imperial policy than is Senator
Hoar. But Senator Hoar is arguing against
a hypothesis and President Mckinley Is
dealing with condition. The argument of
Senator Hoar is directed entirely against
an imperial policy-a policy which contem-
plates the possession and arbitrary control
of dependent colonies the people of which
shall have no voice to determine for them
selves their own government. The policy
which is being followed by the administra-
ton contemplates the liberation of 6; peo-
pie from the domination of the tyrannica |
government of the Spanish monarchy, and
the absolutism of Spain to a voiceless sub
lection to AN absolutism by this country.
An Irrelevant Argument.
Neither greed for gain, ambition for COM
mercial advantage, nor a desire for the
extension of territory influences the policy
which this government is following There
fore, it is held that Senator Hoar's aca-
demic arguments, while conceded by MANY
to be sound on hypothesis assumed by
MN, mas no relation to the actual condi-
ions existing: The question presented to
PRESIDENT Mckinley. as a consequence of
the war, is whether, the Spanish power in
the Philippines having been broken this
government in granting terms of peace
snail compel the discohtented people of the
fhlllppines against their will to again sub
Ject themselves to Spanish rule or whether
ne snail demand that the Spanish loss of
control in those islands and over those
people shall be permanent
Inc latter determine tion has been reach
ed by the President The responsibility for
the change of government in the Philippine es
rests upon the United States and with thi :
responsibility comes Another, to see that
CVlnzed government is established TO take
the Elace OF that COVE! nment W hich We have
destroyed. In assuming This responsibility
the administration is not Influenced by any
desire OF possession, buts merely by a sense
OF duty toward civilization. The determine
tlon OF the form of government of the
Philippines, temporary or permanent is 20
De reached after Spain has formally re-
iinqufshed her claim of Sovereignty
Future Form of Government.
Whether the islands shall he independent
or be for time goverred by the United
States will depend UPON the conditions ex-
isting in the Philippines. but whatever
these conditions may. indicate, 1t is not con-
tcmplatted that the inhabitants of these ISL
ands shall be any less free than are the
inhabitants of the United States. Ii 1t is
manifest that they are at this time capable
or -selt-government there is no doubt about
,heir being given their Independence if they
desire 1t. II not, this government will ex-
erclse control in the interest OF humanity
ana civilization until such time as the pea-
pie there are capable of determining for
themselves whether they desire an indie
pendent form Of cove nme 1t or Pre- fer 20 be-
come "a part of the United States. The
friends of the administration thorous sbly
familiar with the situation thus analyze
the conditions governing the President )
poilcy, ana insist that there is no imperial
ism in it