The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-05-16
OUR CONQUEST.
Rev. Mr.. Stenhouse Declares We
Need the Philippine Islands.
A Triple Alliance With England and
Germany as Parties May Be Made.

Rev. Charles A. Stenhouse pastor of
the Asnury M. Il. Church made . very
interesting and timely address last even
ing on the subject, "Our Foreign Con-
quest-Shali We Keep IL" he spoke sub
stantially as follows; Our recent foreign
conquest is one OF the events OF tho CEN
tury, and may say one OF the most Inn
portant events OF the Christian era. No
living man may foretell the events which
may snsue upon Commodore Dewey's VIC
tory OF the Philippine Islands. would
not attempt TO propbesy; but IL Is time
when all classes Of people are prone 70
give voice TO the thoughts which these
events inspire. The first thought that
comes to me is that the conquest Of the
Philippines was very naturai conse-
quenoc.
We are embroiled, and yet there Is
something more than embodiment be-
tween this nation and Spain. believe
firmly that the hand OF God is being felt
In the turn events have taken. was OF
that opinion before Manila was taken,
and now / am more tnan ever Impressed
of that fact The Hawaiian Islands ana
the Philippines are necessity TO tne
property of the United States today. NOW.
/ want I'd look for moment at our new
possession. The Philippine Islands are
thing that has been under Spanish rule Is
unknown. Manila is the only portion OF
the islands that we have any knowledge
OF, and our Information OF even that To-
cality Is very brief.
The Inhabitants of the islands know
even less concerning the United states
and but little more OF Spain. But tell
you that it is not the will Of the Lord
that they remain longer In tne possession
Of Spain. The islands are naturally ricb,
but Spain has kept them poor. During
the time she has ruled over them sbe nns
done nothing to elevate the civilization OF
the inhabitants. she has kept them in
refined condiulon OF slavery. Consequently
the islands hnve not bsen developed. This
viii TO done when tine American people
shall come into possession of them.
We are in q position today from which
we cannot extricate ourselves. Some peo-
pie suggest that we trade the Philippine
Islands to England for Jamaica. But that
cannot be done. The people CT Jamaica
are too loyal to fEng land to permit OF be.
ing traded. We cannot trade them with
Spain. for Spain has nothing To give In
return. and we cannot yielu them TO any
of the Powers for thereby international
troubles would ensue. The bare facts
of the case are that they are ours and we
have got to keep them. l Will tell you
what we can do with them. This Is pro-
phetic. Spain Is drawing all the Latin
nations tc her standard, and even influ-
enoing kussjn, an old-time friend, to sup
port her cause. Tnat leaves the three
great Powers, England, Germany and the
United States to form triple alliance.
England and the United states alone
could withstand the world, but with Ger
many the alliance would be all powerful.
1 do not believe that we are going to
have a great war, but / 40 believe that
nothing will be permitted to stand in the
way or civilization. We neel the Philip
piris Islands today, ana / hone that 1T Will
not be considered jiuRo movement on
the part OF the government to acquire
them. AS think of it We are standing
between the great nations OF the earth
and our resources and our civilization
are to lead all others. Gods hand is In
It. 1t does not require prophetic instinct
Tn sac that