The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-11-29
The Acceptance by the spaniards.

commissions have arrived at an under
standing preparatory to signature by
the two parties involved in connection
with the closing of hostiiities between
Spain and the United States.
A little less than eight months have
passed since the declaration of war
between this country and Spain was
issued. The accomplishments by the
government of the United States
through the army and navy have been
brilliant in results, and the achieve
ElentS. so far as increase Of colonial
possessions are concerned, have been
far beyond any conception, even of the
most aggressive-spirited citizen Of ten
m0nths ago.
SPANISH fleet in the bay Of Manila May
l, by the then Commodore Dewey,
seemed at the time to afford nothing
more than the destruction of a number
OF ships Of the enemy's navy. With
calm reserve the victor, after his work
of righteous martial destruction, held
himself aloof from invasion Of the
shore line.
The events in Cuba and Porto Rico,
during July and August, were of so
large Importance that the victor in the
CAPITAL Of the Philippine islands has
been meanwhile compelled to remain in
the south seas pending the culInina-
ten of the treaty of peace practically
effected yesterday in Paris
Viewed from the standpoint of his
torical achievement, the war between
Spain and the United States, ever the
adjustment of the difficulties which
have so long prevailed between the
colonial population of Cuba and the
mother country, has provided incidents
incompatible in their magnitude when
the bare subject of loss of life and
pecuniary sacrifice are taken into ac-
count. Whatever may have been the
Interior motives OF those who were
most urgent in their demand that war
should be made against Spain, in the
interest of Cuban liberty. it is fair to
say that no one ever contemplated the
result which has come about.
The Initial victory at Manila. while
1t appealed to the admiring sense of
heroism, seemed at the time to carry
with 1T nothing more than forceful
reminder to the government at Madrid
that Spain was dealing with a power
Which must be respected. The regency
or the ministry-and the one is and
was the complement of the other
might have saved the colonial possess
sions of Spain both in the South Pa
citic and the Caribbean sea had wis
dom of councils prevailed. But it is
hardly just to accuse these representa-
tives of power of lack of patriotism or
of shortsightedness in connection with
the further pursuance of the conflict.
There existed behind the throne and
the ministry in Spain a population
stepped in ignorance, and this had to
be gradually led along to a proper APP
probation OF the sorrow and humilia-
ton which has, through unwise and
selfish government. fallen upon the
home of Castilian pride.
When the cost OF the war is fairly
measured, as against the territorial ad-
Vantages acquired, under the treaty
settlement, the people of the United
States can be fairly we'll satisfied with
the bargain. That is to say, the $40
100000 paid for the Philippines. as
against the acquisition of those ISL
ands, the coaling station in the
I-adrones and the complete annexation
of Porto Rico combine to make a fair
offset against the absolute expenditure
associated with our so-called liberation
of Cuba.
But while these beautiful results of
diplomacy, following actual war, are
being exploited, n reasonable degree of
thought ought to be bestowed upon the
possible complications which must
inevitably result from the wholesale
adoption of the plan of colonial pos
sessions Endorsed by the Mckinley ed
ministration. A great step has been
taken on the part of the United States
in connection with the so-called ad-
vancement Of civilization and the
destiny of the republic" Many shad-
ows will probably issue from the twi-
light and thickening darkness OF the
past into which we are now passing to
trouble our later dreams. The wisdom
of today. as that quality may be esti-
mated in the view OF our recent ma
tional victories, may not size up well
with that wisdom which shall and
must come from experience along I'M
trodden lines of government TO follow.
and which, furthermore, partakes al
together too much of the spirit of
speculation. i'll conforming with the
cherished principles of a republican
democratic form of government