Arizona republican., 1898-08-20
PACIFIC COAST INTERESTS.

strange that the interests Of one sec lion should sometimes be ignored or overlooked by the people of another In the discussion of the Philippines problem the tendency Of newspapers published in the east has been to for get the advantages Of the retention of the islands to the Pacific coast. Dwell CTS on the Atlantic coast do not always realize the great commercial impor- tance of the wide expanse of sea be- yond our far western shores. They look across the narrower waters that divide us from Europe and consider the trade carried there the be-all and end-all of our prosperity. Such view is unin- tentionally limited and imperfect, no doubt. It can easily be corrected by those who are willing to learn. And certainly the fact that the people of the Pacific coast are practically unani- nous in their demand for the annexa- tion of the Philippines is one which should have great weight. We do not mean that the question is in any sense a sectional one. The advantage of one is the advantage of all. and the war has so united the nation that this con- dition is readily perceived. Neverthe- less, it is fair to say that the Pacific coast has an especial right to be heard when the disposition of the Philippines is debated.
 Q mo O vrrn1l as commercial aspect to the question, although the advocates of a policy of scuttle choose to ignore it. Nothing can alter the fact that the moment the first gun was fired in Manila bay we as- sumed responsibilities we cannot hon. orably escape. We did not seek them; they were thrust upon us; but now they are just as real as our responsibil- us be a difficult or an easy one, the moral duty remains. The little Amer jeans, as the independents call them. are at present laying much stress upon the climatic conditions to be encoun- tered, and pointing to the experience Of our army in Cuba for proof that white men cannot stand the diseases of tropical countries. Yet the only way in which civilization has advanced in the past has been by the willingness of mans struggle with nature This continent could never have been wrested from the Indians had our fore fathers been unwilling to face disease and death. We doubt very much if ty- phoons at Manila are any more de- New Orleans might be as unhealthy as Santiago under similar sanitary con- ditions. In fact, the loss e fife by sickness in General Shafter's army is due, as every one knows, to circunl- stances that would not exist ordinarily, and which need not have existed even iH time of war
 Ii we are Incompetent to take our part in the redemption of the world from savagery, let lis say so and be done with it, and withdraw into our shell again and become a hermit na-
 
 ten. But We cannot believe that such a conclusion will be welcome to men of English biood and speech There are neglected opportunities behind us; let us not repeat past mistakes. The Caro- line islands, as the Independent re- minds, might have been ours long ago. We Americans,' it says, "came and gave the people Christianity and a written language and the rudiments of civilization. Any other nation would have raised it's flag over the islands; but that was not our way. Then Ger many and Spain, finding them unstolen. each claimed them by right of dis coveTy long ago. We did not protest, as we ought to have done. Spain. 1t was decided in the arbitration, had the bet ter Of the two fcundationless claims So Spain took the islands, drove out our American citizens, forbade their vessel to visit the islands, and began a system of characteristic oppression" Would it not be "a shame and dis grace as the Independent says. if the story were to be repeated now?
 On the commercial side every argu- ment is in favor of the retention of the Philippines. The feeling on the Pacific coast is, as we have pointed out, par icuiarly strong: but all over the coun- try commercial and political organiza- tions are urging the administration not to forfeit the fruits of Admiral Dewey's brilliant victory. Those who oppose taking the islands have nothing better to urge than the dangers to the repub- lie from imperialism, the difficulties of dealing with Aguinaldo, the chances of trouble with Germany and the un- healthfulness of the climate These things need not be underestimated; ; they require caution, firmness and courage; but are the American people wanting in such qualities? Who will say that they are?