The Portland daily press., 1898-06-09
UNITED STATES AND PHILIPPINES
England Believes that We Are Committed
to Il Colonial Policy aud Must Hold
the Philippines.


undoubtedly develops. At one end of the
American Continent the officers of the
United States Army were yesterday cele-
brating the Queens birthday with official
sanction. At the other end American
troops were embarking on an expedition
in which they are likely enough to need
at least all the moral support which
Great Britain can give them. Some
Englishmen, bearing in mind certain
events OF the past three years, may per-
haps be little dazed by the sudden emo
ton which is displayed in the cause of
Anglo-Saxon unity On this side we are
apt to suspect movements which are not
SLOW and solid. In this case, however, we
can afford to Danish suspicion and make
good use OF an opportunity which has
come In due time and which springs
from causes that lie deep in the policy of
both countries. The Spanish-American
war has taken the Americans out of
themselves and is fast driving them from
their pu rely continental aims 1t has
enlightened them as by flash about our
difficulties as European Power and
about difficulties which are likely to beset
them so soon as they become entangled in
European diplomacy. The two countries,
it is seen, have 80 much in common and
excite so many common antipa5hies that
the way of safety for both lies in friendly
cooperation. This is something more
than sentiment, however much the ex-
istence of sentiment may help the end in
view. We shall in all probability find an
opportunity during the next few months
of building up common policy out of
joint aims and joint interests.
Let US look ahead little and antici-
pate some of the points which make for
union and certain others, which. if not
carefully handled might be a cause OF
dissension. American policy, both in
Oaba and in the Philippines, is still
nominally unsettled. But we take it that
some kind of proteotorate over Cuba is
certain, and that some sort OF control
over the Philippines is highly probable.
The argument against both these conclu-
sions are many and wighty, but, as we
have ourselves discovered in all parts of
the world, events drive harder than argu-
Inents. Those who read General Fitzhugh
Lees article in the Fortnightly Review
will see how, in the absence of any
tolerable alternative which Is likely to
stand the test of time, events are shaping
towards tho eventual annexation OF Cuba
by the United States. In this case the
history of Texas, which shows the diff
Guilty of independent republics, is likely
to be closely followed. The Philippines
are harder case, and we are not the least
! surprised that there should be an i'm
portant body Of opinion in America adj
verse to taking any permanent RESPONSE
bility with regard to them. But here,
l,1e IIyolxv fr,h n@ too etr TT
} embarking troops to support Admiral
Dewey the United States have committed
, themselves to the conquest of the islands.
1t will not be an easy matter. but the
, result must inevitably be the destruction
, of Spanish rule What then? Shall the
, islands be left derelict, or shall they be
handed over to some Power which will
: he a trade rival of the q nited States in
Q the China market? Both questions, we
think, must be answered in the negative.
3 1t Is almost a fixed rule in international
: affairs that a conquering nation shall
i provide for the future goodsgovernmentlot
! a conquered territory. 1t is highly i'm
!, probable that the United States, having
= obtaineds the island a great cost, should
surrender to others the fruit of their
sacrifice. The business world IN America
looks forward to the unexpectedly in
} the near future-when the Panama or
Nicaragua canal will be cut and Eastern
any European country. When that time
comes, the need of base ID the Far East
, will appear imperative. Is it likely, then,
that the Americans. who are looking
as eagerly to the China market as any
European patton will give up the base
! which they have obtained by right of con
questY We think not.
1t follows, then, that the United States
will be launched upon career of colonial
expansion. II SO, and il they are to work
with Great Britain, they must have a
colonial and trade policy which fits in
with ours How is 1t to be adjusted to
: the protectionist tariffs which are in force
in the United StatesY A statement ap.
J peared about a fortnight ago to the effect
that the American Government meant to
apply to the Philippines the coast-wise
trade regulations which they apply to
their own cpast-regnlations which
practically exclude all foreigners from
: the American coasting trade. The state
ment was of course wholly premature,
but 1t nevertheless goes to the heart OF q
very important matter. Our avowed
commercial policy is that of the open
: door. 1t Is our aim in the Far-East to
prevent other countries form selling slices
Of territory, and .pil:ng on preferential
tariffs against their trade rivals. In that
, aim we hope the United States will join
J us. But, obviously, cooperation would
, not be easy, if the United States applied
its domestic protectionist policy to its
colonial possessions. 1t could not join
with us in asking Russia, France, and
Germany to keep the door open, If. for
example, it had itself closed the door to
: non Americans in the Philippines.
3 This, it may be said. is looking long
, way ahead. So it is, but it is only by
: facing these questions in advance that we
shall AVOID trouble hereafter, and prevent
reaction from that British American
sentiment which is so impressive and
satisfactory feature for the moment.
The Americans are not going to step out
OF their continent without raising a
variety OF questions which will involve
them with European Powers. Their
Monroe Doctrine, in SO far as it relates to
South America, is likely to be questioned
, anew; the European squeeze is likely to
be applied to them from many points. 1t
is highly desirable for. them as we'll as for
us that there should be British-Amer-
lean understar nj, and it behoves both
countries that Uney should consider be-
times some of the essential business as
poets of the matter.