New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-08-23
WHAT WAR HAS. WROUGHT
THE OBLIGATIONS IT HAS CREATED AND
ITS UNFORESEEN BENEFITS

From Advance Sheets OF The Atlantic Monthly
for September.
1t is reason for universal congratulation that
the war Is ended 0or II seems safe to assume
that II is ended) so early and so happily-for
us. FOR the Sparisn colonies and In spite Of her
result makes for civilization. There never
a doubt that it would end with ar American
victory; but that the victory would be so easily
and so cheapy won was not forcseen. Nor were
the incidental benefits foreseen; for there are
incidental benefits as great as the main result
itself Unforeseen. also. were the new obligations
that have been imposed on u.s.
The problem Of governing countries not only
separated from the United States, but popu.
lated by different races and accustomed to dif.
ferent institutions from ours. Is q new problem:
but II is a problem that our English kinslnen
have so successfully solved that We shall bs
duh indeed II we do not succeed. with their expe.
rience TO instruct The present popular
mood regarding this new task. as regarding
most other large undertakings in which a na.
tional spirit must play an important part. Seems
TO be deep-seated and safe mood. The peo
pie there can hardly be doubt. prefer to retain
the territory that has fallen to them by the
fortune Of war; and they do not share the fore.
boding Of the intelligent minority, whose !ndi.
viduaIsm estranges them from the National feel.
Ing and who sec grave danger TO our institu.
tons in such additions to our political tasks
National feeling is a safer guide TO National
development than the mere reasoning procesa
of critical minds. AT any rate. it at last becomes
the only guide.
COMMITTED TO TWO DUTIES
The danger to our successful management Of
Cuba and Porto Rico or even Of the Philippine
Islands consists not In their distance from our
shores but in their difference Of population and
institutions from ours. They cannot be
yerted into American States by any statutes
and no laws change their character. Nor
Is there any need that they should now ever
be converted into American states. We are
committed to two duties: we have by conquest
taken upon ourselves solemn obligation to
the people Of the conquered Islands 10 insure
stable government. aad the nature OF cur insti.
tutions forbds that chouid get up any form
of government except one that at the earliest
possible moment shall become self-2overnment
Even II we wished could not shrk these
sponsihilities We cannot leave the people OF
these islands either 10 their own fate, or 10 the
mercy Of the now defeated and disorganized
Spanich rule or yet 10 the mercy OF any pred
atory nation that might seize them. We
become responsible for their development.
Precisely what form the government Of these
Islands ought to take can be determined only
after careful study OF their people and con-
servatiye experiment with them; but 10 predict
that We shall make a failure in the effort 10
prepare them FOR self-government is childish
distrust OF our capacity. We have never had Q
task Just like this. but we have had tasks more
difficult. Nor will our undertaking such task
involve in enetan5 clements with European
hatons-if succeed. The European nations,
II so happens, will look with somewhat greater
respect upon American efforts at the govern
ment even OF Manila than they w0Gld have
looked six months ago.
A PRACTICAL TASK FOR PRACTICAL MEN.
But without too great regard for European
opinion IL becomes our duty solemnly and
periodically now TO take our new duties and
responsibilities in hand. and as great nation
committed to one great policy OF government
10 work out these problems for the advance.
ment " civilization The great Republic can
have TO tribute bearing colonies; but IT can
help weak people u sclfgOvarrment.
And IL will he found that the government OF
each island viii present itself not as II now
presents Itself 20 the tinid. as task involving
revolutionary dangers 10 ourselves and COM
ylcatons with all the other governments OF the
world. and denial OF the doctrines Of the
fathers. but rather as practical task that
PRACTICAL and patriotic men can successfully ac-
cOmplish
The main result OF the war. the freedom Of
Cuba from Spanish misrule has been achieved
but the full fruits Of it will ripen more slowly
than most men at frat supposed sympathy
with the Cuban insurgents mad led many per-
sons 10 regard them ~ capable n once u selt-
governments but the conduct OF part % them
during the war has confirmed the judgment *
those men who knew them best-ihat the re.
moval Of Spanish rule will not Immediately nor
easily lead 10 the sef-goverrment OF Cuba.
NO INsrPERABI.E DIFFICULTIES IN CUBA
The complete conquest Of the island by civll-
cation will be accomplished through American
industry and commerce. whi,h will roY follow
American arms Brgands are as certain where
roads are lacking as rebellion where governments
is oppressive. But Tie future II Cuba presents
no insupera bic difficulties, though lis suhjecoon
20 civilization may require a considerable time
In his proclamation concerning the government
OF Santiago. the President Indicated the proper
course to pursue: local government to DE per-
mtied. 10 be required in fact: the United states
/ 10 maintain military control SO lorg as military
control Is necessary for the security OF life ana
property but To relax II. and at last 10 give II
been created and tested. The process viii not
be very different In principle from the process
OF the reconstruction Of the local governments
of the Southern States thirty years ago. II me
! Cubans do not at first show capacity for SELF
government. the certain Increase OF American
influence and even OF American population IN
the island will greatly hasten its coming The
engineer will follow the soldier The harbor OF
Havana will he opened 10 the Gulf Stream-a
necessary and easy piece OF sanitary work thar
the Spanlards have been going 10 do Tor q
century: the cities will be properly drained. and
yellow fever will be eliminated from the
scourges OF our own shores. Cuba will present
NJ very serious difficulty till the time comes
when II may wish 10 be admitted into INC
American Union a State. But such a wish
is rot sufficient reason for It's admission.
PORTO RICO AND THE PHILIPPINES
And the same plan whereby local gov
eminent will he built up In Cuba will apply.
with notifications. to Porto Rico. one island
will become an Independent territory under our
guardianship: the other will be directly ceded
to U.S. But the essential elements OF their gov
eminent Under our tutelage must b. the same
for the moral obligations that we have assumed
are the same. and there is but one great prn-
clple Of government that We can adhere 10.
How much territory IL may be wise 10 retain
In the Philippine Islands il is impossible 20 fore
see: but the principle that should govern our
action Is clear. We want no colonies can m.
deed have no colonies in the continental
sense: but we must fulfil every obligation 70
SPANS conquered subjects that our conduct OF
the war In Asiatic waters has put upon u.s.