The evening times., 1898-09-13
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1898.
Why Not Take All.

The conclusion is forced on the pub
&c that the demand of this country on
Spain in relation to tfr Philippines
will be limited to the island of Luzon.
This is the chief Of the group of some
twelve hundred distinct islands OF
varying size, and the site of Manila
the capital. 1t contains all the gov
eminent possessions. most Of the sugar
and grass plantations and much of the
mineral land. 1t is worth more, rs far
as products go. than all the others.
There is no obvious reaS,pI whv we
should be satisfied with this. even if
the remaining territory were of no
value. Unless all the opinions of men
who understand the situation as well
as possible are wrong. We shall have
more trouble, now and hereafter, by
demanding only so much than if we
should claim the entire group. If il is
the Presidents idea that Spain will
more readily consent 10 the surrender
of her claims TO LuZon than TO the
whole archipelago. il is not shared by
persons who are acquainted with Span
ish statesmen. If il is his idea that il
viii be easier to administer the affairs
of the single island than Of the group,
it is not shared by anybody.
To allow Spain TO resume or retain
sovereignty over all the Philippines
but Luzon is to put INTO Spanish hands
an instrument Of revenge. Sagasta
himself has said that his country could
make the Americans pay dearly for
their triumph by the use Of its infiu-
ence over the people who are to pass
under American rule. The least knowl-
edge of Spanish character must con-
vince one that it was not an idle boast
In control of the naturally intractable
elements that inhabit the other islands,
including a race of pirates that terror
iZed the archipelago for years. and the
restless Malays, Spanish vengeance
could glut itself for time. Then, too,
the day must come when Germany
will delight in adding TO the annoy
ances of America by the purchase
of some or all of the islands from
Spain. What sort of colonial neighbor
Germany makes England could tell US
after an unpleasant experience in At
rica.
But apart from any and all Of these
things. why should America fling aside
one Of the best gifts the gods have ever
offered? Spain herself would prefer
American administration to any but
her own. The Spanish natives hope for
American rule rather than an indie
pendent form of government, and the
insurgents would readily consent to it.
America is the only nation England
with her near Australian possessions
would allow to assume sovereignty of
the Philippines. and she urges the
taking of all. So does Germany, fore
seeing trouble from any other course
So do Japan and China. and Russia
would raise no objection. Not to do il
endaneers the peace of America If we
rule Luzon, while Spain keeps the other
islands. how long would it be before
the people under Spanish misrule
would revolt and demand annexation? :?
We could not refuse to interfere in
their behalf with as good grace as we
could have refused to aid Cuba. That
would bring US into another war with
Spain. Or If Spain should sell her
islands to GERMANY how long could We
have patience with such Irritating
methods as Admiral Diedrich employed
at Manila Bay? If there were any rea-
son why we should not take all, then
we might be satisfied with Luzon: but
there is not.
We might have asked a money in
demnity Of Spain beyond tie present
worth Of the Philippines. That is
usual. Cuba we rescued for the indie
pendence Of its people, no matter what
future circumstances may lead to-
Porto Rico is ours by right of con-
quest The loss OF these islands TO
Spain would not secure her against the
payment Of a money indemnity if we
should demand it, In lieu of that, we
may properly take the Philippines in