New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-11-20
THE PHILIPPINE SITUATION.

No ADEQUATE ground exists, as we nave al
ready shown, for further delay in the peace
negotiations AZ Paris. On the contrary, 1t Is
desirable on general principles, that those ne
cotiations should proceed with reasonable ex-
petition to a final treaty in the near future
Nothing is 10 be gained for either side by pro-
crastination while much will be gained for
both by prompt settlement Of all the war
issues and n return 10 the basis of peace.
An additional. special and imperative reason
for speedy action now becomes operative. 1t
is made known that the Philippine insurgents
ore taking advantage Of the armistice between
Spaip and the United States TO Overrun the
islands still further and to menace with capt
urc and spoliation the places still remaining in
Spanish possession Iloilo especially. the sec
ond city in the archipelago. is desperately be-
lcaguered If not actually captured, and its for
eign residents are making piteous appeals for
American protection. the few hundred Spanish
troops being utterly incapable Of defending 1t
much longer against the rebels. Nowhere In
the islands. indeed. are the Spaniards able to
maintain their authority Yet it seems impos-
sible for the Americans to interfere. They
have the strength to do So on both land and
sea. They could save 1loilo and bring the in
therefrom by the terms of the existing protocol.
under which their right to act Is confined to
Manila and its immediate environs Pending
further action at Paris they must remain in
active spectators Of whatever tragedy may be
wrought by the Insurgents upon the all but
helpless Spanish garrisons.
That is deplorable state of affairs. The
islands are being ravaged and the natives are
in hot n
streperous belligerence, all because a Power
that Is unable To restore order plays the part
OF the dog IN the mauger and prevents action
by Power that Is able to set things to rights.
It matters little what we think Of the conduct
Of the insurgents We may hold that they are
acting badly. and that they ought to cease OPP
eratons and return to peace: or we may deem
them hall justified In continuing their cam
paign until some definite disposition Is made Of
the islands. That is not TO the point. What is
pertinent Is that they are keeping up their
war: that Spain cannot stop them. and could
not even if we should withdraw our forces and
give her a free hand there that we are able to
stop them ard to restore peace and prosperity
and that we are restrained from so doing by
SPANS casuistic endeavors to teach Americans
the meaning Of the English language.
What is needed is a prompt compliance by
Spain with the terms Of the protocol signed In
August last: n realization of the fact that Span
ish sovereignty in the Philippines has been
forfeited, and recognition of the fact that
disposition" does not mean retention or
restoration or any such thing, but "the act
"of disposlng Of anything. handing over, aliena-
"ton." When that comes TO pass there will he
prospect Of peace and order in the Philip
pines For the sake Of those islands and to
save them from anarchy. it ought to come to
pass without delay.