The record-union., 1899-02-07

ratified the insurgent clamor in the
Philippines would have ceased, and our
supremacy there would long ago have
been complete. AIT the same time the
condition Of the Filipinps would have
been infinitely bettered. and the way
opened much wider and clearer for a
wise and gentle policy, under which
the native peoples would have sooner
attained to the knowledge and expert
ence of self government, and have ear
lier been fitted for home rule. At the
same time we would secure commercial
and naval footing in the Orient, where,
by reason Of our commercial interests,
our national strength and our relations
with the States of the earth, we have
human right to stand
This judgment was pronounced weeks
ago, but it has been unheeded. Agon-
clio was pampered, encouraged and
wept over by the obstructionist, until
he became arrogant, impairment and
insulting. The fellow, of course, in
formed Aguinaldo of the action of the
obstructionists, and urged him to strike
blow before the treaty could be rati-
fed. But he has mistaken the temper
of the American people. What he may
have believed to be a sharp trick to
terrorize and impress us will prove an
irritant, and result very differently
from who r 1,ic boy,oc nd v,,sc,ops. io,,
OF American character led him to look
for. The fellow was fearful, however,
kept his gripsack packed, and a few
hours prior to the first stroke of war
with the insurgents he fed across the
British border into Canada, which is
the only discreet act standing to his
credit. The country would be some
what better. off if his admirers and
comforters in this country would pass
over the line also and keep him COM
pany in the Canadian hotels
AT this writing the news is that the
treaty has been ratified. It now re-
mains for the Queen Regent of Spain
to affix her signature of consent,
through such agency in Washington as
ambassador. Or She may demand re-
ceipt Of the official documents of noti-
fication first, which will involve two
weeks or more of delay. But we as
sumo that this will not be done, since
Spain, in order to secure the release Of
the prisoners held by the insurgents,
will be disposed to speedy action, and
thus make more imperative the dis
charge of the duty imposed upon US
by the treaty convention to secure the
release Of the prisoners and the imme-
diers to their homes.
Aguinaldo appears to have had much
outside aid. From some source he has
procured rapid-fire, siege and other
modern guns and large sup
ply of ammunition in preparation
for the assault he has now made.
Whether we have had one battle
with him, covering parts of two
days and night, or whether we have
had two distinct battles. one of parts
OF two days and another which consti-
tuted second attack upon the city of
Manila, later advices will determine.
It is enough to know at this writing
that We are at war with the Aguinaldo
insurgents, by reason of their initiative,
who have been comforted and egged on
by their sympathizers in America; that
we have proved equal to the situation,
and that our duty now is to so COM
pietely whip and crush out these in
competent and semi-civilized contest
ants that they will come to a realizing
sense Of the power as well as of the
benefcent intentions of this nation.