The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1898-05-11

NOT CONQJ EST.
Some OF the European powers seem
greatly concerned over American
occupation Of the Philippines.
For them it was totally unlocked for
event. They had no more idea Of our
navy making a display OF force in the
far east than we have of attacking
Today they stand coniounded with
an accomplished fact and before them
now, is the question, what will the
Americans do with the Philippines
since they got them? That we will
hold these islands for the time being
they can readily see, and they admit
with not over much grace that we are
entitled to hold them But what will
we do with them after our troubles
with Spain have reached a settlement?
They already try to demonstrate 70 MS
that these islands are really OF little
value for as a possession in the east,
and that we should get disgusted with
the inhabitants there. All Of this we
will admit IL it will do these Euro
pean powers any good to know it. We
do not want TO hold the islands as a
permanent possession and we do not
want the inhabitants there as n part
OF our population. We shall hold
these islands simply as kind of chat
eel mortgage for the prompt payment
in full OF the bill for indemnities
which we propose to present some day
to Spain and II that bill is not paid on
presentation then we will put the Phil
ipdioe islands on the market, giving
European powers, however, FIRST
chance TO send in sealed bids, reserving
the usual right to reject any or all bids
IL they should fail TO come ND to our
view Of what the islands really
are worth TO anyone having use for
them.
1t has been suggested in some quar-
ters that England might make a trade
with US, giving us some Of her Western
possessions in exchange for the Philip
pines. There is very remote posi-
bility that Uncle Sam might not object
TO a swap Of this kind, but all OF this is
as yet in the future, and a matter that
can be considered at leisure when we
have more urgent business off our
hands. So far we are only interested
in holding on to what we have taken
in. We really have given the matter
no more thought than that other no
tion quoted in some OF the European
papers which, while declaring that We
did not want to take possession ol
Cuba, we would certainly annex Porte
Rico. Now, all these expressions OF
the European Press are very kindly
and friendly TO US indeed; they seen
TO imply that all we have to do is tC
take without asking. SPANS possible
objections, it seems, would be Of nc
earthly avail where Uncle Sam lays
mis- hands on. We can have but the
highes. regard for feeling so kindly
expressed, but at the same time the
United States may assure the powers
and their press that in this cal
culation they are again mistaken. W.
don't want Porto Rico; we are goinl
leave ii right where it is, and IL thl
Inhabitants OF that island should asl
us to take them in we would tell then
to organize a government OF their owl
and no longer worry about the Pesl.
Spaniards, for we should see to IL tina
they would be just as little trouble,
by them hereafter as the inhabitant
Of Cuba. No, we don't want Port
Rico, either. In this respect we ar
just as independent a. in others. IL
to be regretted that the Europea
powers and their press do not seer
possessed Of proper appreciation O
our independence; they do not under
stand us yet. On closer acquaintanc
this surely will be remedied and the
will then have due regard for our fee
ings and no longer try to make then
selves believe we want a thing whe
we have unreseryedly declared befor
all the world that we do not want
under any and all circumstances.