New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-05
SELECTIONS FROM TIE MAIL
WHAT TO DO WITH THE PHILIPPINES
A SUGGESTION THAT AMERICA SHALL EXCHANGE
THE ISLANDS FOR ONE OF GREAT
BRITAINS AMERICAN

POSSESSIONS.
To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: What do we want? Not glory. We an
getting all the glory good for us In the display Of
proves and skill IN naval warfare. Europe will
take note Of this as what Is TO be looked for in a
peope of English race. England may be glad to
see H. for It reflects credit upon her. and she will
be reader than ever to own us cousins. And
when all Europe gives us recognition as naval
power to bo taken seriously, there is some risk OF
our becoming bumptous-a bad thing. especially
for republics.
n glory was what we wanted. We could not get Il
in thrashing a nation so inefficient as Spain. There
might be some satisfaction In administering thu
thrashing: for Spain Is like well-born but ibred
youngster whose propensity to mischief Is so out
rageous that some nelghbor has to give him q
Gaming and enjoys giving II. BIT the fellow will
not whimper nor give in; and one grows ashamed
and tired OF keeping up the Gaming. when It only
means knocking the breath out OF the plucky bad
voungster There isn't any glory to be had In
doing the like to Spain We do not want to ruin
her utterly. We do not banker after getting back
all we spend teaching her morals " 1t Is going
TO impoverlsh her to pay for the schooling. Why
we believe in free schools for our own folks. and
would let Spain in cheap especially as 1t Is part Of
our new system OF compulsory education
We want 10 make Cuba independent; so much va
are clear about We have not done It YET but
by all signs are going 10 DO H.
Ri, what do we want with the Philippines? That
Is something for the peope TO make up their minds
about II they can The authorities are busy with
the question: and 50 is all Europe. We may be sure
Europes concern in our decision makes II much
more our concern than We thought II when We
went into this war.
We do not want to hold the Philippines our.
selves until Spain pays for the trouble We are now
at r relieving her Of those unhappy Islands We
do not want to hold them long for that would In
crease our entangement with European Powers
We certainly want to keep out OF the Eastern
question" II we can And II is just as certain
tha. we do not want 10 accept big sum as the
price OF giving back the islands 70 the outrageous
disagreement Of Spain II we want TO free Cuba.
we do no, want 10 fasten worse misrule on the
Philippines for pay.
Bur we want a reasonable compensate ton; we want
It from the Philippines. and we do not want II from
bankrupt SPAIN especially as we'd have 20 give
nm tho islands Well then, It Is evident that We
wan, one OF two things more: One IS 10 leave the
Islands halfway Independent. under the protection
and direction Of the European Powers. Inis would
keep us clear Of the trouble which Europe cannot
well avoid-unless We consent TO give the Islands
back TO Spain The other alternative is to give
the Islands more and TO get more. NO one VIII
douh, thar the best we could give them would BE-
tina, benign British colonial system which 50 few
d.pendencies Of Great Britain would Willingly give
up We want to swap Islands WITH treat BRITAIN
We would give her the Philippines she would give
us one Of her American possessions say Jamaica
or the Bermudas which lie off our shore Ike be-
sieging battery Such an arrangement would
bring with Il what would be worth even more, .
moral alliance with Great Britain. the Power
which rules the waves" the only rule we caro-
about off our own territory. We can 90 this Il
We are bold enough and quick enough. and II Great
Britain is, too. OF course there would be p.edgs
OF money compensation from the Philippines eX-
ball her ia
our war claim The exchange for other territory
Is what the war gives a chance FOR. In other
words 10 be true to American IDEAS; We
want to avoid degrading in the Far East the spirit
which rules our transactions here in the West.
Chester. Penn. May 3. 1898 J. +. HENRY.