The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-07-17
After Peace-What at Mania.

The Philippine Islands are plainly the
troublesome feature in reaching an sgree-
ment OF peacs. says writer N the New
York Evening Post. Apparently nobody
In Washington wants 10 leave them with
Spain Agninaldo. the inSurgent chief, has
been our ally. and why. II is asked. should
we turn him over TO the mercies OF Spain2
In theory. the American people doubtless
sympathize just as much with the rebeH-
ion THAI has been going on az intervals
in the Philippines for several years as
with that IN Cuba in which We finally took
part Both sets OF insurgents were strug-
Cling against the same thing. Cuba was
nearest at hand her trade relations great
er, and she was within the scope Of our
Monroe Doctrine But aside from these
conditions. the Philippine rebellion is on
much the same footing. and hence 1t Is
likely to be very difficult 10 secure a treaty
OF peace which would leave Spain in con-
troll OF the Philippines. Here again comes
in the trouble of other European compu-
cations. What disposal OF the Philippines
can be made which will satisfy the SYM
pathies of the American people. and at
the same time avoid troublesome Euro
pean complication?
Although we have not yet got the Phil
lippines, the problem is near enough at
hand TO be regarded as very serious. The
practice OF revising treaties threatens TO
make trouble The instance of France
Germany. and Russia interfering in behalf
of China at the close of the japanese wsr
and of other European powers preventing
Russia from grabbing all she wanted at
the close OF her war with Turkey, are
noteworthy. What If France, Germany,
and Russia should combine 10 prevent our
insisting upon the Philippine islands
as a condition of peace? II plainly be-
hooves the administration 10 work
out such a method of settling the Phillip
pine problem as Will avoid such a COM
plication. II is evident that not a FEW OF
our senators would be only too ready to
join forces with Germany. IL she were
the aggressor. or would hope. were the
three powers arrayed against US, 10 ar
range a combination with England and ia
pan to give them battle. Neither England
nor the United States, TO say nothing az
Japan, Is ready TO go into 3 world war of
this kind over the Philippine Islands.
Probably Germany France and Russia
are not ready. But the suggestion OF
great earth-snaking combat, IN which
these six powers should be involved. three
on a side. horrible as il is 20 think Of,
seems to possess a charm for some OF our
aggressive statesmen.
The departure OF Prof Becker 10 the
Philippines is being rated as signifying
this thing or that in accordance with the
wishes of the observer. lie is one OF the
geological survey experts. and returned
from South Africa some months ago with
glowing accounts Of the proportions OF the
gold deposits there. He is evidently going
to the Philippines 70 see what the depos-
its there are worth All information is
valuable, and whatever may be the pur-
pose of the administration towards these
islands it will do no hurt 10 be as fully
possessed of the facts concerning them as
possible.
If the islands were suddenly dropped 70
the bottom of the sea the administration
would be relieved of the most vexatious
prob lens which have for long time con-
fronted IT. Without such submergeuce.
however, ii may be possible TO remove
them from the sphere of our troubles.
Holland is a good colonizing power. She
is so small that the other nations would
not be jealous of her. Why not dispose Of
them to her on condition that the door be
left open for the trade Of the world?