New-York tribune., 1899-07-15
lCCEYATJON AND STATEHOOD.

The latest Democratic story is that there has
been found and will be pushed as an ellgipie
candidate for the Presidency Democrat VINO
IS in favor of the 16-to1 principle but not OF its
enforcement. and who is in favor of expansion
hut not of annexation. II the man knows wha'
he means which the words about silver lead
one 10 doubt he is an exceedingly good man Tor
a Democrat Annexation to his mind probably
implies admission into the governing Dody OIL
the United States. That is his mistake. lie Is
right in principle, and his Democratic followers
would do well to coach him about the real
meaning of annexation.
Many years ago Alaska was purchased by the
United States and annexed, but has never been
mart nor in the least degree likely to become
Jart of the governing body in this country.
President Cleveland made vigorous demonstra-
tons against the annexation of Hawaii. under
the erroneous assumption that annexation nee
essary meant admission TO the family or
States. There are sugar producers and dealers
now who are In much anxiety about Porto Rico,
now ceded to the United States by the Spanish
treaty being annexed to the Union. But they
fail to comprehend that annexation means notll-
ing but acceptance of n given part of the
earth's surface as part OF the property of the
United States There is not the ghost Of an
agreement or implication that territory annexed
shall become either organized Territory or ulti-
mate State.
II would seem to be we'll for captious men on
both sides to revise their notions. An island
annexed becomes property Of the United States,
and that is all. 1t may be held for century
as property Of the United States, not having
any political power. as Alaska has been held for
many years The United States is n Nation
composed of States But 1t can hold under the
Constitution. property without limit which is
not part Of any State, nor in the way TO be nd
mitted as State or even as an organized
Territory
The reported Democratic candidate who is op-
posed TO annexation does not know what the
word means Porto Rico, the Hawaiian ISL
ands the Philippines were annexed the moment
the Treaty Of Peace was ratified They became
part of the property OF the United States. Cuba
has different status, because of the Congress
sional undertaking to give its people opportu-
nifty to form a satisfactory government of their
own But until that happens as to Cuba, and
Indefinitely as to all the rest. the United States
is simply the owner or holder of property, an
nexed but not yet part Of the Union Of States.
Hosts of legal decisions could be cited TO support
this view, but none will ever be needed. The
people OF the United States intend TO hold and
control the property they have conquered until
solid basis for self-government shall here or
there appear. Up tn that time the provinces
conquered are nothing but property OF the
United States What will come after that viii
depend upon the kind of government proposed
But we are long way from n stable and proper
sels-goyernmeDt IN Cuba or the Philippines.
The American people are In favor The Trlb-
une believes Of administering honestly the great
responsibility which recent events place upon
them. As 10 expansion, they are expanded al
ready. As TO annexation. they have annexed al
ready. when the treaty raiificaiions have been
exchanged. But they will give no share In the