The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-09-13
The Four New Islands Under the Flag.

We find newspapers here and there which
regard IL as a surprising thing that the at
tention OF the American people should he
focused at present upon the Philippine
question to the exclusion Of the Cuban
question, the Porto Rican question, and the
Hawaiian question, all in some respects
equally important.
II IL true that the affairs In the Philip
pines are just now principally engaging
the thought and care Of the general public,
although not to the extent OF absolute
monopoly. Nor is it surprising that such
should be the case. OF all ofthe islands for
which the United States have recently
become responsible Luzon is the only one
where the flag Is attacked and the author
ity OF the Government detied. No wonder
the Philippine situation holds the first place
I'm public interest. No wonder the atten-
ton OF the American people Is at present
focused there.
That is not to say that American citizens
are in any sense Indifferent about the
future OF Porto Rico Hawaii. or Cuba, or
careless OF the progress Of events leading
toward solution OF the several questions
involved. In all three cases, however, the
questions are working themselves out logi-
cally and peacefully toward the final settle
ment which belongs to the Congress OF tho
United States.
In any other year any one OF these ques-
tions would seem large enough to occupy
the mind OF the whole country But this
is an epoch OF marvels.
Hawaii's position is somewhat anomalous
under two constitutions and two distinct
and frequently conflicting national sys-
TENS This is only an incident OF the
period Of transition, and the remedy is
plain and easy, namely, to make the islands
as American as the flag that covers them.
Porto Rico's case Is receiving the most
careful attention on the part OF the Admin
istration and its representatives Destiny
has already settled the main points; moth
ing remains to be determined except
details. AS in the case Of Hawaii, nothing
ahead can be more certain than the orderly
progress Of the peaceful assimilation and
the unbounded prosperity that are In store
for that fortunate island.
Cuba's immediate future Is less clearly
indicated at the present moment. Time
and the spontaneously expressed desires
and deliberately asccrtalned interests of
the Cubans themselves will shape events
in that island. The one thing already
beyond doubt is that freedom is assured
forever to the inhabitants OF the lately
oppressed and tortured victim OF mis-
rule. By the pledge OF her liberator as
we'll as by the policy OF the Administration
and the intentions Of the United States the
exact form which Cuban liberty Is to take
in the years to come will be determined by
the free and Independent decision Of Cuba
herself.
But in the Philippines every consider
alton OF future policy and civil system
yields to the urgent duty Of the hour 80
clearly formulated by President MCKINLEY
at Cliff Haven, Ocean Grove and Pitts
burg: Peace first; at any cost or sacrifice
the insurrectlon must be put down and the
authority OF the flag and the Government
indicated.
That done-and 1t ls the intention OF the
American people that it shall be done
according to the Presidents programme
tho Philippine question resumes it's normal
place in line with the Porto Rican question,
the Cuban question, and the Hawaiian.