The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-05-29
A War Cry Which Has Found a
Ready Response in the Heart
OF Every True American.

~ different. BY the avs OF international
comfy We have a perfect right 10 hold that
collection OF islands known "a The Pearl
Of the Orient" as territory annexed an
der the designation ''spoils of war" lust
as we did California and the vast tracts
OF land north OF the Rio Grande in fssS.
Very similar is our position toward Puerto
Rtco. though diplomatic settlement would
determine whether II be- held by us or
placed in the hands of its patriots to exist
as an independent republic. There Is in
the opinion of many prominent men little
doubt that the latter disposition of il vii,
be made.
If these two islands of the West Indies
are lett in the same condition. there will
De added two new republican nations 10
the waters Of the Caribbean sea. But of
their future there is much ;roublous
doubt II they only develop the same in
capacity for stable self government that
Is ty-heai Of so many of the Central
American and South American states.
they VIII be menace 10 the commercial
interests OF the world. Like scorned
Hayu, they VIII be constantly subject to
reprfsals and humiliations from more
powerful. nations. or II prosperous and
thriving. will excite the cupiiity OF some
European powers. who will attemps ,nYn
slight pretext 10 control their finances II
not their destinies. There are MANY who
peHeNe theS VIII become sturdy little re-
pub.ics like San Marine, Andorra and
Switzerland, of such inherent strength
and strong character as TO be free from
outside complications or internal disssn-
sons
IL is the opinion OF others that there
Will be succession of revolutions among
themselves that, iessening their military
capacity and destroying their own finan-
cial strength and by that means coming
- t6afx
holders. Will ultimately compel the United
states to interfere for the preservation OF
It's own interests, and that. annexation Is
the only true solution OF the problem.
Stiil. both Puerto Rico and Cuba may
nave another Diaz who will prove a for
tress or strength. II these two islands
are to be constantly involved In contro-
VERSES with other nations ana a.wavs nra-
sumably certain monarchical powers of
Europe and the United Sta.- IA to ba
continuously called upon to &C, as arn,-
traitor. 1t VIII find this und.gnified posi-
tion In the course Of time intolerable. and
when forbearance shall have ceased TO he
virtue II VIII be forced to move agrees
sive.y.
- war between ourselves and the conn
tries we virtually help TO become free -
not one OF the impossihilties Az the first
government to acknowledge the indepan-
dence OF Mexico, to give her moral support
anu hiLa SAIHtsSlou OF good Will, were
nevertheless fighting her quarter of A
century later. Again. in 1861. II was tho
insistence and repeated remonstrarces Of
our state department that compelled Louis
Napoleon TO withdraw his Wrench troops
commanded by Marshal Bazine from
Mexican SOIL and thus was frustrated that
attempt to destroy North American re-
public. II was a notable instance of re-
turning good for evil-a characteristic
mat as nation we consider necessary
for which the people south of the Rio
Grande have since exhibited their appre-
citation
if history bears any lesson TO us, Il Ia
that we must not expect gratitude. but
rather suiien anin1osity, from those
whom we have assisted IN their hour Of
need. as there seems TO be an organic. in
herent antagonism between the Anglo
Saxon and the Latin races that neither
time nor place nor the debt of gratitude
VIII ever allay. Experience teaches Ia
also that II government. a country or a
province IN our environment is too weak