New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-08-16
SPANISH NECENNITIES.


In London paper il was remarked that
everything on the American side. from the he
ginning TO the end of the war. fitted to every
thing else. as if all had been thought out in
advance by some man of extraordinary fore
sight and craftsmanship. When Spain comes
10 select and instruct her Peace Commissioners
Il Is probable she will perceive that every
thing in relation to the Philippines has also
been carefully Thought out. 1t goes without
saving that Spain would like TO retain at least
q part OF the Philippine Islands. But with
the city. harlor ana bay of Manila in American
hands how is il TO be done: Spain will pre-
sumal,y begin to cons der that no other island
or port In the Philippines can be retained by
her. except on sufferancc. ami in a sense under
American protection She could not dream Of
holding any one of the Islands against Ameri-
can power operating with Manila as a basis.
She could not hope to hold any tne Of them
against European Power. If inspired by appe-
tite for land OF gold TO seize it.
1t would he for Spain a costly business to
maintain a feet and an army in the far-off
Philippine Islands Losing Manila the chief
commercial port of them all. and the only one
through which n large revenue could be drawn,
Spain would hold any other at great sacrifice
be taken from her by any other Power If it
should ever prove wort, taking and holding.
When one seriously considers what such a task
would mean for Impoverished Spain. destitute
now of available ships. lie ding every soldier
and every dollar nj home TO meet threatening
internal disturbances, unable any longer to offer
10 her Younger sons the spoil OF Manilas rich
commerce as ample reward for their life
al bat al
expense and effort would be thrown away il
the property held should ever prove valuable
enough to tempt the cupidity OF any other
strong nation II may bc realized that complete
surrender is likely 10 be for Spain the most
desirable settlement.
Spain will have some other things to think
about. The obligation OF tho nation to protect
its citizens in distant lands will be felt through
It's commercial and It's religious bodies. The
men who have large business interests in the
Philippines will demand from the Government
some settlement which will insure them against
the vindlcilve fury OF savage insurgents The
mower Of the Catholic Church and It's various
ORGANIZATIONS in Spain Is beyond American
comprehension but II has been excrted already
10 Drcvent abandonment Of the islands TO in
srrccnts whose most intense feeling Is hatred
Of thp Church rather than OF the monarchy.
One thing the Catholic Church well knows It's
orders and organization have no special favor
or larress under American government, but
they have always absolute protection and fair
play No vndicive passion can pour out the
blood Of monks or nuns In the Philippines II
Americans have power there and there Is no
longer any other power which can defend them.
When one considers all that this means FOR
Spain. the most dcvotcdly Catholic country on
earth. II may be realized that Spain Is not un-
likely to propose some form Of American pro-
tectorate for the whole OF the philippine
Islands To make several bites OF the cherry
would be foolish TO undertake the expense