The times., 1899-01-01
SUNDAY. JANUARY l, 1899.


Among all the years of the American Re-
public there are but few that can COM
pare in Importance with that which mas
just closed. AS long as the history of the
first century of our national life is remem-
an emphasis that would surprise us if We
could look through the curtain that sep
arates the earthly from the life men believe
goes on after the vital spark leaves its
mortal abode. For the full fruition of the
triumph of our arms over Spain is far in
the future, and none of US have the daring
to prophesy what we may dimly foresee
or vaguely hope. There is every reason to
think that the Spanish war was the most
momentous event of the year, not only to
America and the colonies Immediately con-
cerned, but to all the nations and to man
kind. The year began with the Cuban re-
belllon near the end OF its third twelve
success, in spite of the failure Of the in
competent Spanish generals to suppress 1t
or to hold their own in the field against the
ragged. hungry, poorly armed natives. In
deed, there was every cause to fear the
ultimate extinction of the people of the
island, of whom quarter of million were
already known TO have been killed or
starved TO death under the inhuman policy
of the monster. Weyler. 1t was this that
led TO the american agitation for interven-
tion-the extraordinary cruelty and incred-
ibie object Of the Spanish methods of war
fare. At this time last year there seemed
little ground for the hope that popular
sentiment would demand forcible interfer-
ence. At that time the Government was
jealous in detecting and restraining all ex-
peditions iB aid OF the Cubans. 1t was not
until the Maine was SO treacherously de-
stroyed, involving the murder of two hun
dfed and sixty-six OF our sailors, and not
until senators and representatives had Wis
tied the scenes of horror and described the
piteous spectacles which the streets of
Havana offered, that the cry for interven-
tion became so loud and fierce as TO move
Congress TO disregard the appeals from the
President for further time for negotiation.
Perhaps the history of the world does not
show another instance Of such patient self
control as that displayed by the American
people during the two months in which
they awaited the verdict Of dilatory COM
mission TO investigate the destruction of
the Maine, although the common opinion
was that Spain was guilty of deliberate
crime which violated every law of civil
lization and OF common humanity.
The results of the American demand on
C.,af, far nh of bar f.art,o,-
Gus policy of determination are actually
incaleulable. for it is impossible to project
even the outlines Of the last consequences
OF our abandonment of the narrow provin-
cialism that would have retarded our in
dustriai and commercial growth In the next
quarter Of a century. Among the visible
effects is the final extinction OF imperial
Spain. What that power was at the height
OF it's greatness IL will well repay the
youth of today to read; how all Europe
irembled when Spain frowned and Eng
land, which rules the wave, was terrorized
by the menace of that wonderful Spanish
armada. In the New World and in the ISL
ands OF the Pacific her standard was plant
ed by early treasure seekers equipped by
possessions so vast that the sun in his
journey forever shone on her territory. Tn
like Britain, she had purely selfish pur-
pose, making virtual slaves OF her colonial
subjects and recognizing no rights that
could interfere with her supremacy. She
condemned them 10 ignorance and poverty,
because their enlightenment and prosper
fe.f
relief from tyrant governors, every insur-
rection, was met by torture and a violent
death Her reign in Cuba and in the Phil
ippines. after her loss Of first one and then
another great possession because of the
cost Of maintaining her sovereignty, was q
succession OF rebellions against her author
ity. Still she never learned that some con-
eessions must be made to the spirit of mod
ern civilization. Today bereft of virtually
all her colonial territory, Spain is threat
ened with another Carlist revolution, and.
reduced 90 third-rate power one of her
public men warns her that she is on the
verge of absorption and extinction.
The treaty of peace effected at Paris con-
yeys 10 this nation sovereignty over the
Philippines. Porto Rico, Cuba and the ISL
and Of Guam. We had already taken the
first step toward expansion by the annexa-
tion of Hawaii. A year ago today this first
step was extremely doubtful. although pop
ular sentiment seemed to favor It, With
the enthusiastic approval of the people,
the warm sympathy Of England and Japan
and the acquiescence of the other nations
of Europe. the President adopted policy
that arms us with an interest In the future
great events which. as predicted by Mr..
Seward. are TO take place on the borders of
the vast Pacific. We may properly have a
voice in the determination of the fate of
Asia and stand tor a share of the trade of
that continent. Truly It has been an i'm