The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-09-16
FRIDAY. SEPTEMBER 1s. 1898.
THE PHILIPPINES.

IN SATURDAY idtt tlt 4 .N~'N~'+N
nounced 10 a delegation of Quakers VINO
visited him from Maryland that he hao
not made up his mind as to what dis
position should be made of tho Philip-
nine islands. and that he was entirely
omen TO suggestions and to argument as
10 what should be done with them. ON
Tuesday the Cabinet held two sessions
ct which it is known the Philippine
islands were the subject under discussion
and the knowing ones announced when
the sessions were ended that it was
finally decided that the United States
would retain all of them as It's own ac-
auired by conquest. This, however, Is
now contradicted, and it is now asserted
with great positveness that while line
OF policy for their government was de-
termined on at the Tuesday Cabinet meet
4ngs. It was not decided that Spain should
be wholly and entirely wrested from the
Philippines. 1t is now said that all that
was definitely determined was that the
position of our peace commissioners at
Paris should be that the Philippines have
been conquered by the United States. and
can only be disposed of finally as the
United States may determine. but leav-
ing the question OF what final dispose
ton is TO be made of them entirely open
for the present.
1t is to be hoped that this resolution
was come 10 by the Cabinet, and that IL
will be put forward by our commissioners
at Paris as the indispensable conditions
IN any negotiations of any sort whatever.
Spain has already agreed. by the protocol
10 withdraw her armed forces from Cuba
and Porto Rico and 10 abandon all claims
10 sovereignty of any sort over either
island. and the conditions that exist in
the Philippines justify us in demanding
that she concede the same status to the
Philippines as she conceded TO Cuba and
Porto Rico. She conceded that status TO
Porto Rico and Cuba because she was
utterly overthrow in the contest waged
with us and was powerless 20 aid her
troops in either island. while 1t was only
a question of sixty or ninety days when
those troops WOULD be starved into sur
rendering TO us even If we did not, in
the mean time. force their surrender by
powder and ball She is just as power
less to lift a hand IN the Philippine
islands as she was in Cuba or Porto
Rico We have destroyed her navy 50
that she cannot send a soldier there ex-
cept by our consent. and all those In
the islands are either our prisoners or
tho prisoners OF the insurgents. She Is
therefore as absolutely conquered in the
Philippines as II is possible for con-
quest to be. and our commissioners should
plant themselves at the outset of the ne
gotiaiions upon the proposition tina. the
Philippines have been conquered by the
United States and they should refuse TO
enter upon any negotiations whatever
until that proposition is accepted as one
OF the basic ones for negotiation.
That point being conceded. the ground
is then cleared for discussion Of the
question what disposition shall be made
OF the Islands? and this is one of the
most embarrassing questions with which
any government ever yet was confronted.
The United States do not want the Phil
ippines. and although lingo noise has
aroused a good deal OF frothy notions
that we did want them few weeks
back. We believe the sober, common sense
OF the people has already settled the
business and resolved that we do not
want them. II the vote were to-day
taken before the people of the United
States whether we should or should not
annex the Philippine islands. We believe
the proposition to annex them would be
Overwhelmingly defeated.
What then are we 10 do with them
We cannot allow Spain to establish her
despotic control there. This is not to be
thought Of An arrangement must be
made that will secure the people there an
opportunity TO develop themselves into
a state OF self rule. But how is this 10
be done?
we are disposed 70 think. as we nave
already saic. that II can best be done BY
inviting all the civilized countries that
have interests there to Join US in the
formation OF a plan for their govern
rpent. We should, OF course. dominate in
The formation OF this plan 30 - to secure