New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-08-14
HESITATION INCREDIBLE.
AN ENGIISHMAN SAYS 1T is MiDsI MINER
MADNESS TO THINK OF RELlNQClsH-
ING THE PHILIPPINES.

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: Although not n citizen Of the Cnited
states am an Anglo Saxon. Temporarily rea>
dent in your country. and much Interested &c
common with other Britons In the disposition
which you are about TO make or the various
portions OF the Spanish Kingdom which nave
succumbed to American prowess. l. OF coanA
write with much dfidence in consequence %
being an outsider. and l can only express inc
view that a person in my position takes or the
question OF the destiny Of the Philippines ~
mo II seems Incredible that there should he one
solitary instant's hesitation upon the part O
the United States in announcing TO the worid
that she intends permanently TO keep and res
tain these valuable islands.
do not attach any Importance whatever q
what one hears talked of in private and reads
in the newspapers about the humanitarian sem
timents which should animate the United
States In dealing with the question. untoru'
nately. the world is not yet sufficiently iar ad'
vanced for nations to live up 10 these exalted
and altruistic conceptions Of National duty ana
in point Of fact they do not do So. and the pre-
tence that they do only generates a sentiment
OF hvpocrisv in a community which practises
upon its own credulity or that of others WIZ
this transparent humbug 1t is of course
the disposition to be made of these Islands 10
consider the aspirations and conditions OF tne
insurgents: but. after all is said and done we
all know that the first duty - the lnltea
States in the premises is to consider her own
interests. and that that Is precisely what sne
will do.
Viewing it in this light it seems 70 me th%
the course is perfectly plain. In the first place.
IL is obvious that the Philippines are them
selves very valuable possessions. True II Is tns'
they will entail upon the United States the Dur
den and duty OF their government. but SO far -
expense OF such government is concerned
will be borne by the exchequer or the is'anu'
themselves IL not altogether at least larsei!'
and In addition II must be borne IN nina ina.
the circumstance that the United states WIZ
have TO govern the islands will open up many
places. both civil and military. to the Citizens
OF this country.
Then. again. your trade in these Islands - .
large and ever-increasing one. and that c'r0u'"'
stance will not only enable you To deal H'o'
easily and effectively with the management -
the Philippines. but also make 1t IN the ih'e'e''
Of your Eastern trade generally Ftiil more INV"
portant that you should possess these is'a"uH
All these circumstances seem 10 me 100 par
pable to require any elaboration in argument
They are rendered doubly potent by the i"''
that you have absolutely forsaken ana ".
adrift from your lnsular and confined views u
the sphere Of your activity Wisely or uh"ise''
you have annexed Hawaii and seized TOT"
Rico. and will undoubtedly get CUBA ioO
have then deliberately embarked on the SO
OF empire and having done so. 1t is Ao'''"'
short OF a midsummer madness 10 think VI ~
linouishing any portion OF the territory ""'0"
has fallen TO you as prize In war All" p
ticularly the Philippines. which form "''''
in the chain between the United states ha""'
and the Orient. -.
I shall only add to these considerations w
more, which ought. l think. at once ~ and
the Imagination Of every American ci'inv ,,h me
which IL | were OF you. Wouiu ~ W. So
outweigh almost every other conslue. w hem.
far your people have lived very much 10 and
sr.Ves and nave been extremely To- axpan.
confined In their political horizon Inc ., your
sion OF your territory and the extension W y the
influence and activity in various quar- ,e, rnes
globe important as they are IN ,hei 'aI nres.
upon your trade. commerce anu Nn,nortant as
tige and renown, are still more iinp.aar cit
agencies by which all classes OF It''lel .nathies
liens NAV broaden their minds ana sy ins.,acant
and views OF life To my mind the m,saItn
feature OF all this expansion IS nos W.. a, but
and power which are 10 spf'ns ,a breadth o,
that Increased mental wiser ana - IN be
view which are likely to result from H. anu srce in
n powerful educating and stimulat"e, ,,yen as
the priyate andl domestic life OF tns c,ta
well as in the National ne OF tiie tod before
have not seen these views s''" ,,hartv which
and l have therefore taken the ;, setting them
would otherwise be excusao'e' "
forth In this letter. A.. phiippinee
BY all means hold on to the