The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-06-11
SATURDAY, JUNE H. 1898.
,Dr wv TO RE CoERCED9

II Is hardly posSlDie '4'01 '''~
tai Powers Of Europe are going TO be
unwise enough 10 interfere with the way
8, which we shall bring this wretched
war 70 an end, yet there come every day
from some quarter in Europe statements
Of one sort or another that plainly IN
dictate that the subject is being discussed
amongst them. What We quoted few
DAYS hack from the N0vosti of 81. Peters
burg. a journal whose close connection
with the government gives its utierances
n decided significance had an ugly look
and an the uglier when it IS considered
that no utterance Of that sort ever APP
pears in a Russian newspaper unless II
has first passed the Government Censor.
This one, therefore. was practically
Russian government utterance.
Yesterday our paper had an announce
ment telegraphed from Madrid that "Po-
litical circles express themselves as being
satisfied that the Powers viii not permit
the United States to hold the Philippine
Islands" We report that We cannot be-
Neve the Continental Powers Of Europe
are foolish enough to intermeddle IN our
affairs. but these continued announce
ments are too ominous to be disregard
ed. We must make up our minds In all
of our calculations TO the possibility of
this happening and We had just as well
begin now to determine what our course
will be If It does happen.
At the outset. then. Continental Eu-
rope had just as well understand that
Spain has got TO leave this side of the
Atlantic ocean entlrely-bag and bag
gage. There will certainly be no serious
party IN this country advocating the an
nexation Of Cuba, but all men women
and children are perfectly resolved that
the Spanish flag must leave the island
with every trace of Spanish influence and
power That had just as well be under
stood as being just as fixed as one Of the
fixed stars itself.
The whole disposition here IS to leave
Cuba to the Cubans. but Cuba is to be
theirs. and under a protectorate by this
country until the Cubans have stable
government that can regulate and con-
duct Cuba's affairs. No amount Of Eu-
ropean intermeddng is going to affect
that AS the first result of the war.
In the next place it is just as fixed
and settled that Spain must give up
Porto Rico. There is no special desire
here to annex Porto Rico to this country,
but the feeling is entirely unanimous
that while clearing this side Of the At
lanuc ocean Of medieval methods and
theories, the JOB must DE made a thor
ough and complete one. What the feel
ing will be as to annexing Porto Rico
when the war is over no one can now
say The Times hopes most earnestly
that We will pursue the same course to-
wards that island that we do towards
Cuba Sut The Times recognizes that
there will be powerful demand that this
country shall take Porto Rico as some
thing in the way Of an indemnity 10 it
for the war and that We may have
coallng station in the West Indies.
The Philippine Islands offer the most
perplexlng factor in the case. Opinions
will. OF course. be very much divided in
regard to them. but Of one thing the
whole world had just as well make up
its rnind-America win never return the
Philippine Islands to Spanish rule. We
are engaged in a war for human freedom
and we are never going to take a back
ward step in that war Having freed a
population from tho CALLING bondage OF
SPANS rule. we are never going to re-
turn that people to that bondage, half
savage though they be. The world had
Just as well take notice Of that fact. for
II Il a fact. and by prompt acknowledge
ment Of It great trouble may be saved.
But in any event. the United States
viii not brook any interference Of any
sort with SIS affairs by the despoiisns OF
Europe. We may determine TO hold the
Philippine Islands and there will be two
great parties here upon that question.
But n we DO the question will be set
tied BY the free and unbiased judgment
OF tho American people. and no coercion
from al Of Europe combined will be toll
Grated for one moment.
1t is time this phase Of this matter was