The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-05-16

of the
Philippines

Aumlral Deweys victory as Manila
brings the European powers face to face
with another aspect of the Hispano-
American war. All things considered,
1t is probably the most important as
pect.
In tie fate of Cuba the powers are
ouly indirectly interested. Long ago
official Europe made up its mind that
Cuba was lost to Spain. and that even
II the United States did not acquire the
island the American would always pre-
dominate in any system of government
there established. Moreover, except as
American intervention in Cuban affairs
might pave the way for Intervention in
the affairs of other islands in the west
ern Atlantic now under European SOW.
ereignty, 1t has not pressed upon any
European chancellery as o matter of vi
tai importadce.
With the Philippines the question is
radically different. The islands are
part Of Asia, and any transfer of sover-
eighty over them or of the commercial
predominance hitherto exercised under
Spanish influence must entail farreach-
ing consequences. The blunt advice of
English newspapers to occupy the is
lands and hold them by force of con-
quest is extremely irritating to Ger
many, France and even Russia
1t has all along been foreseen that the
Spanish system is Fastening to q fall,
and that Spain, from power having
largo colonial interests. is doomed to
shrink to minor state with purely do
mestio concerns. With this in prospect
the powers having special interests in
eastern Asia had been calculating as to
the final disposition of Spain's terrific
ries there, and the question Of the fate
of the Philippines had been thoroughly
discussed in all its bearings except an
American annexation. That was not
dreamed of.
From this moment the point of cru
cial interest will be the development of
the American policy at Manila. Europe
is asking whether the United States
wishes to make departure from the ira
ditions under which hitherto it has re-
mained exclusively an American power.
1t is asking whether. even against its
wishes, the United States might not be
compelled to enter OF a policy alien to
those traditions. 1t realizes that Spain
will never be able to pay the war debt
she will owe the United States except
by o cession Of territory, and the ques-
tion is asked where. except in the West
Indies, would cession be practicable.
The Canary islands, off the west
coast of Africa, have always been covet-
cd by France, and Spain would have
ceded them to France long ago but for
Great Britsin's opposition. England
would have gone to war in week to
prevent any such deal as that. Just now
her relations with France in the Niger
region are much strained, and Lord Sal
isbury, under the influence Of Mr..
Chamberlain, is pushing the French for
eign Office to the limit of endurance. AS
long as the Canaries remain Spanish
cause Of serious dispute in western Eu-
rope is seliminated, and it is not believed
at any foreign Office that the United
States would care to assume the vexa-
tions of title to the Canaries even If
Spain acquiesced.
The Philippines are clearly the Sec
tion of Spanish territory which would
be most naturally transferred in pur-
chasing peace. Assuming them transfer
red to the United States, Europe is ask
ing whether America would keep them
or in turn trade them for other islands
now held by some other European pow
er, say some of the British West Indies
English official opinion can scarcely be-
lieve any such result as this possible.
As a prominent diplomatist remarked,
such thing is "too good to be true
Were the Philippines in the hands of
England she would Immediately become
unohallenged mistress in the western
Pacific. and the rival powers would
have no choice but to combine against
her to nullify her influence unless they
were willing to see the value of their
present Asiatic spheres reduced 90 per
cent. Continental chancelleries believe
transfer of the Philippines to England
only remote possibility, but II the
present war is prolonged and Spain's
war debt to the United States mounts
up at its present rapid rate for another
six months the United States might
have no alternative but to hold the
Philippines as security for debt that
could never be paid in money.
The rapid change Of public opinion
in America on the subject of foreign
territorial interests is held to show that
the United States is entering on new
era aud that the glittering prize Of east
ern trade Is diverting the American peo-
pie from the old standards. Europe
realizes that New York and Chicago
are as keenly interested as London,
Paris, Berlin and st. Petersburg in the
great commercial developments that
must take place in the early future in
eastern Asia and the islands off the
Asiatic coast
More than half the population Of the
world lives in countries facing the Pa
cinc and Indian oceans. Already the
foreign commerce of countries border
ing ON those oceans, excluding North
America, Is more than 81, 500. 900, 900
.<-- Vl.~ A..,.~s.... sxaI. x.,tttx six.