Washington sentinel., 1898-12-10
The Pres,a ent,s . Message.

SCIVdtlOnS OH the wal ahO 40 SS'
Elements.
AS the proclaimed object OF tn
war was to secure the freedom an
independence OF Cuba, the first in
quiry will naturally be as to tn
Presidents attitude toward tha
island, the sovereignty of which
y has been surrendered by Spain
. Even the most captious foreign
critic must admit that the Presi'
dent stands squarelY by the reso'
lutions of Congress. He says
that-"Spanish rule must be re-
Olaced by just, benevolent and
humane government, created by
tine people of Cuba. capable ofper-
forming all international obligs-
tions," and that Gas soon as we are
in possession Of Cuba and have
pacI6ed the island it will be neces-
sary to give aid and direction to
its people to form government
for themselves. This should be un-
dertaken at the earliest moment
consistent with safety and assured
success" but until there is COM
plete tranquility IN the island and
a stable government inaugurated
military occupation will be con-
tinued."
There is in this no suggestion oi
annexation-and yet there are
probably few intelligent Ameri-
cans or we'll informed foreigners
who doubt that Cuba will, before
many years, become part Of the
United States.
Next in order and Of more i'm
mediate interest and importance
are the Presidents views as to the
Philippines-the great unsettled
question left open by the protocol
and not definitely settled by the
treaty conditions to which SPANS
Commissioners have assented.
And on this question, as on the
government OF Porto Rico and our
other new possessions, Mr.. McKin-
ley withholds his ideas. "Such
discussion, he says, twill be appro-
pirate after the treaty OF peace shall
be ratified. In the meantime, and
until Congress has legislated
otherwise, he Will continue the
military governments which have
existed since our occupation, and
give to the people security in life
and property and encouragement
under q Just and bene6cent rule"
1t is quite certain that the SEN
ate will not postpone discussion Of
these questions until alter the
treaty shall have been ratified. The
proposed payment Of $4,000, 900
to Spain for islands which she does
not control, and whose people
claim the right to govern them
selves, will hardly pass without
question. Neither will the COM ,
nercial policy OF the "open door,"
Nhich the President likewise omits
% mention. Pending the compile
ion and formal signing OF the ,
Teaty the President may properly u
his views as to "the gov :
.rnment or the future of our new a
but he can hardly
to have the treaty ratified
without a thorough discussion.
This is not the American method c
# government. Neither is it the
ustom Of the Se3ate. il
Does the President perhaps un-
give an indication OF his n
olicy as to the future Of these d
ew possessions in phrase which II
e uses in celebrating the formal S
of Hawaii He speaks a.
{ the inhabitants of these islands Il
S having elected to share our p
olitical heritage" II they are TO
c admi ted to "share our politi- Il
al heritage" they cannot con. m
be denied a voice in its rs
The Presidents u
it is understood, will W
eport a plan for Territorial gov
rnment for Hawaii, including the re
sual Delegate in Congress. He al
i'll have no vote, but the Dele re
ate is the forerunner of the Rep Pl
That is to say, 1900 ar
in Hawaii are to have gi
lie same representation in the w
Iouse as more than 400, 900 in ar
abitants OF this country. And be
lis little group of islands, inhab. th
ed by mongrel population oi fir,
}, 900, tainted with leprosy, will
ItimatelY have an equal represen
tion in the Senate with New
ork and her 1000, 900.
Is this to be a precedent AnC m
IS Mr.. Mckinley considered IN ma
ower and the effect OF precedent er
this country9 pa
q = .