The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-02-08


Tho attack Of the Spanish fleet at
Manila by Admiral Dewey was noces-
sity of war. when war was declared
the Spanish government had possession
Of the Philippine Isles and in the prin-
cipal harbor of the islands was anchored
a formidable Spanish feet which was
in a position. pending hosuliues, to do
great damage 20 American commerce IN
the last Under international law.
Dewey could not tarry longer than TWEEN
fv-four hours in a neutral port and be-
ing ia Eastern waters. ne was "a wan
derer upon the face Of the deep. He was.
therefore. ordered 20 destroy the Span
ish ships at Manila and so not only re-
move q nuisance. but also establish
base OF supplies. The fleet was disposed
Of in short order. the city Of Manila
was blockaded and IN due course Of time
fell into cur hands
That was one of the unexpected events
Of the war. Nobody thought. or If he
thought so. he did not make his thoughts
known, that IN Sighting Spain We you'd
have the Philippines, as we'll as Cuba.
10 deal with. And so while In our dec
laration OF war We were most explicit
as 10 cuba. we made no pledges as 20
tho Philippines and were free TO act as
We would with reference to the subsc-
ouent disposition of that phase of the
question.
The war came 10 an end I'm few
months. spain's navy having been wiped
on the face Of the sea. Under the proto.
col OF August 18th Spain agreed to
eyacuate cuba. reiinouishing an claim
20 sovereignty over that island, TO cede
20 the United states Porto Rico and
other Spanish islands IN the west Indies
together with the Island OF Guam in the
I.adrones As % the Philippines # was
provided that The treaty of peace TO be
prepared and ratified by the nations in
interest should determine the control.
disposition and government Of these.
Each nation appointed peace commits
sioners and after somewhat lengthy
sitting I'm the city Of Paris. a treaty was
formulated ana agreed 10 by the re-
spectlve peace commissioners which car
ried out on the definite provisions of the
protocol and as for the Philippines Spain
agreed. under protest, to cede these ISL
auds In consideration Of tho sum Of S2O.-
oooON. The treaty has now been ratified
nv the United States Senate ana the ISL
ands become possessions Of the United
III q Of Hl IN
as We Ike. We have power 20 keep them
and rule over them as dependent pos
tessions: we may sell them out 20 the
highest biaders we may admit them
mo the sisterhood Of States, or We may
SET them up in a government Of their
own and leave them 70 work ont their
avn salvation N their own way. The
ratification OF the treaty commits us 10
ro-s OF these propositions our policy
towards them is yet 70 be determined
The question OF admitting them 20
statehood is too absurd 20 be seriously
considered. The ISLANDS contain popu-
,afion Of about 100000 people. only 250'-
oo Of whom, according to an Intelligent
resident Of Manila. know how to read
and write Spanish and 10 cipher Now
can We in decency sell them out at auc-
,ton. The discussion narrows itself
down. therefore. 10 these two PROPOSE
,ions: shall we rule them os dependents.
or shall We establish them as indepen-
dents in government OF their own. The
imperiaiists say govern them aud make
an that We can out OF them The anti
,mperlalists say stand by the Monroe
doctrine. stand by the American prin-
chile. set them free and let them alone
can any true American. be he Demo
crat or Republican. hesitate for one mo
nent a. between these two propositions!