Smyrna times., 1898-07-20
TERMS OF PEACE.

At any time before the beginning of
actual war between the United States
and Spain, Spain could have had peace
by conceding the independence of
Cuba, but she wouldn't. Now after
losing two-thirds of her navy, she
would gladly make peace by the absO
lutte surrender of Cuba, but it can't be
accepted.
Peace can't be had between Spain
and the United States without the alb
solute surrender by Spain of all her
West India and Pacific possessions.
Cuba must be made free under an
American protectorate. Porto Rico
must become an American province,
and the Philippine, the Ladrone and
the Caroline Islands in the Pacific,
which have been Spanish possessions
for more than three centuries, must be
surrendered by Spain to be disposed
of as the United States shall deem
best.
The American people have not start
ed out ON a crusade for empire. Cir
cumstances over which they have no
control and conditions which they did
not create, have placed our govern
ment in position that necessitates
radical departure from its long time
policy of confning it's authority to this
continent. Cuba must now become an
independent Republic. Porto Rico
must come to us as indemnity for the
war, and the annexation of Hawaii
necessitates American ports in the La
drone, Caroline and Philippine Islands
and the early construction of the Mica
ragua Canal.
This new and momentous departure
from the policy of the government was
not dreamed even during the late Pres
idential election. It came upon us
unbidden, but the American people as
with one voice, accept it and the gov
ernment could not with safety make
peace without ending Spanish author
ity in every province in the West
Indies and the Pacific. The safety Of
our government; the advancement OF
civilization; the great lesson it has be-
come our duty to teach Spain and the
civilized world of the high obligations
of humanity which rests ON nations as
we'll as individuals, forbid the sem.
blance of Spanish authority in any OF
the islands of the East or West:
If the war shall be prolonged after
the capture of Santiago and our feet
shall be forced to assail Spain ON hei
own coast, the Canary Islands will
also be taken from her. 1t will be
done on the sound principle that Spair
is unfit to govern any colony, and thai
every dictate of enlightened civiliza
ton and humanity requires that hel
authority should be confined to hei
own people within the confines o.
Spain herself. If her people shall sub
NIT to her theft and oppression, it ii
their own affair; but every indication
points to early revolution and the uttel
) overthrow of Spanish royalty.
1t is needless now to discuss the de
tails of peace beyond what shall be re
quired of Spain. She must give vi
her West India and Pacific possession
and the disposal of them will be Who'll
ly within the power of the United
, States. No foreign government viii
be allowed to interfere in the posses
sion of the Philippine, the Ladron
and the Caroline Islands in the Pacific
or Porto Rico in the West Indies
) until peace shall be made between
, Spain and the United States, and al
diplomatic efforts for international in
terests in any of those islands must b
made solely with our government
: Peace will come and it is not far dis
s tant, and when it comes, Spain will b
g without province in the West Indie
t or the Pacific, and the United State
! will determine for herself what inter
!. national interests, if any, shall attac
= to either of her newly acquired posses
. sions.-p -phitddeLDhi0 Times.