The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1898-08-19

foothold m the Philippines. ana a larger
one than would be required for naval
station alone.
The people o, TN" grsrt group Of is.
lands are largely barbarIc, and there are
many who felt and stm feel that they
would prove a turbulent and undesirable
colonial population This feeling Is per-
haps the one most prevalent among the
opponents of the holding Of the Philip.
nlnes,
But on the other hand the undenhhle
need of a foothOld Tor the United states
near the theatre OF European action In
the Far East appeals TO an thnkns
Americans. our foreign trade is expand.
ms rapldly. our industries are rcaching
ou, Tor their share OF the worlds mar.
kc,s The chinese empire embraces ono,
third Of the population Of the entire
globe, AMI the rapid brcakins-up Of the
old-tmc policy of China cf sccluslou OF
her people from the worlds commerce
is gradually opcnlns a ltmitlcss trade to
,he western world
Russia. France, Germany and England
are wnnslins and scheming to obtain
territorial extension IN China. We DO
not wan, a sauare FOO, Of Chinese ,err,-
tory; but We do want a chance a, ,ne
trade OF her tecmng millions, on equal
terms The possession ol the Philippines,
or a portion thereof, VIII give us a trade
basis, and make the United States fac
tor in the Far Eastern problem which no
European power can ignore.
Another point IS this; The presen; bar.
barism OF the islands would b. but tenn
pOnry were they colony OF the United
States They are rich in mineral wealth.
For example, gold and coal are both
found there. and in profitable quantities
The vegetable products Of the islands are
highly valuable. Their permanent occu-
,atlon by US would be followed by the
peedy migration OF enough Americans.
,nxious TO develop the agricultural, min /
ne aud trade OF these Islands. that the
,reponderanee Of power would speedily
e In the hands Of native-born Ameri-
ans, and the fear Of native turbulence q
nd insurrection speedily disappears.
The dominan, feeling in this country Is
er,aInly in favor Of the retention OF at
east the mos, valuable portion OF these
stands. including LuIon. the larges, Of I
he group, on which Is Manila. the capt. .
al. and those Islands which have coal I
nd other valuable minerals. The nation
ghich holds this coal supply will have an {
nealculable advantage.
In this connection. the following edi- I
orial extract from the Chicago Tribune.
J worth considering: {
II Is no wonder the French naval au-
horities are reported as saying that the
OF this particular coal deposit
Fill be OF incalculable value TO any na-
ION that may secure coallng stations IN
he Philippines. One thing is certain. II
re hand these islands back 10 Spain.
ven II We retain Manila for a station. {
his particular island. with its valuable I,
oal deposit. will at once be grabbed by .
one European power. most likely by c
iermany. Every nation In Europe. es- o
'ecially Germany, is on the lookout FOR
oal in that par; Of the East. The is I
ands are ours by conquest. VIII the I
government commit the inefiable folly OF E
living them back to Spain only 10 be
e!zed at once by some European nation.
The discovery OF that valuable coal de- v
,osli is OF l;self one Of the strongest ar
why We should hold them.