The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1898-06-10
The Future of the Philippines.

imagination Of the American people.
We have said already, and we may
repeat it as clearly and emphaticalIy
as possible, that il the United States
are prepared to undertake the re-
sponsibilities OF ruling great and
rich dependency which the Span
iards appear to be no longer capable
Of holding, even il it were restored
to them for a consideration at the
close of the war, we should welcome
that as the best solution OF the
problem for all parties concerned.
We do not pretend to ignore the
difficulties which the Americans will
have to encounter il they make a
choice that commits them to the
permanent maintenance of a large
naval power in the Pacific. That is
probably an inc vitable result, in any
case, OF the defeat OF Spain. But If
the United States are to become one
OF the dominant naval forces in the
waters Of the Pacific, it is obvious
that the policy of open trade, to
which our Transatlantic kinsmen
are as much bound as we are in the
Far East, will be enormously
strengthened We could not look
with indifference upon the acquisi-
tion of the Philippines by either
France, or Russia, or Germany.
though we have enough on our own
hands not to care to add to our re-
sponsibilities in that quarter, unless
we should be compelled to do so in
order to prevent the islands from
being used to obstruct the develop
ment of open trade not only within
but far beyond their own borders.
We could contemplate their posses
sion, however, by the United States
with equanimity aud, indeed, with
satisfaction. At the same time, it is
by no means certain that, when the
first flush of excitement is over, the
people Of the United States, especi-
ally the great inland mass of the
population who have little in COM
mon with the inhabitants of the sea-
board either on the Pacific or the
Atlantic side, will keep up an en-
thusiasm for naval activity and ex-
ternal dominion. This, however, is
question to be determined by the
Americans themselves. We can only
say that, while we should welcome
them in the Philippines as kinsfolk
and allies, united with us in the Far
East by the most powerful bonds of
common interest, we should regard
very differently the acquisition of
the archipelago by any other Power.
If the Philippines attract atten-
ton on the Continent on account OF
their position in reference to the
Far East, it must not be forgotten
that the Far East has for some time
past occupied an increasing share
of attention in America. 1t is clearly
perceived that the United States
have, in common with this country,
a substantial interest in keeping
open the markets Of the Chinese
Empire. It. is further plain that,
unless the war is ended at once upon
terms leaving Spain more or less
in the position she occupied when it
began, there is an end by force of
circumstances to the practical neu-
trality OF the Philippine Islands. II
they must pass virtually, though
perhaps not nominally, into the con-
troll OF some strong Power or
Powers, America may well ask who
has 80 good a right to the succession
as herself She might be we'll con-
tent to leave them neutral, but that
becomes impossible the moment
that any serious effort is made to
deny her right OF conquest. She
has then to settle whether the van
tage- ground is to be kept by her or
used against her, and in that case
we imagine that the answer of the
American people will not be doubt
full. 1t is true that the government
of distant dependency is not pro.