Omaha daily bee., 1899-02-07
TIE rREArr RATIFIED.

Fifty.seven scnatorsLthree more than
the constitutional requirement voted
for the ratification of the treaty of
peace with Spain, without amendment
and without any declaration in regard
to the policy of the government respect
ing the Philippines. Undoubtedly the
Inauguration of hostilities by the Fill
pinos exerted an influence favorable TO
the treaty, though for week past i'll
teligent observers in Washington have
predicted that the convention would he
ratified. These predictions however,
were generally qualified by the opinion
that some one of the several joint reso-
lutlons, declaratory of the policy OF the
government, would be adopted in adj
vance of the vote on the treaty ana as
late as Saturday it seemed that this
would be necessary to secure the two
thirds required for ratification. Events
at Manila, however, completely changed
the situation. The sudden transition
from armed peace to a state of actual
war, brought about by the t'illplnos,
undoubtedly led some senators who had
not before been favorab ble TO the treaty
or who desired some declaration that
would commit the government against
permanent occupation of the Philip.
pines, to give 1T their support.
The act of ratification is in effect a
proclamation on the part OF the United
States OF peace with Spain, but peace
VIII not be legally established until the
Spanish government shall have ratified
the treaty and an exchange of ratitica-
tons, as provided in the convention, is
effected at Washington. There is no
doubt of prompt action in the matter
by Spain. The Cortes will lose no time
In ratifying the treaty, because there
Is no Spanish opposition to it. Spain
anxiously desires an end of the matter,
the United States may be resumed.
Moreover, the fact that her treasury
will be replenished to the extent of
S2O,000OO0 is somewhat weighty con-
sideration. The Cortes will undoubt-
edly be convoked at once and within
short time the United States and Spain
will have resumed friendly relations.
With this accomplished the Filipinos,
now technically subjects of Spain, will
become subject to the authority of the
United States. If not made American
citizens by virtue of the treaty, which
cedes all the Philippine islands to this
country, such of them as elect to re-
main there will be subject to American
law and control. If they should con-
tinue in their warlike attitude after
their new relation is established they
would be, what they are not at present
so far as the United States is con-
subjects OF Spain-rebeis
1t will be for congress to say however
whether they shall be regarded and
prescribe any policy FOR the United
States in respect to the government
Of the Philippines. That is a mat
ter for the determination of congress
and in view of the fact that |
the Filipinos are demonstrating that |
their desire for independence is not a
sham it may still be hoped that our
government will give them such assur-
ance of the ultimate realization Of their
desire as will induce them to lay down |
their arms and submit to its authority |
and protection.
The ratification of the treaty means
peace with Spain. That action was es-
sential in order to legally end hostilities
and re-establish relations of friendship |
between the two countries. In this |
respect 1t is well. But the American
people have still to deal with the policy |
which it contemplates, still to decide
whether they want to permanently re-
tain what it gives this nation and as
sumo the responsibilities and make the
sacrifices involved in doing so. The
question of territorial expansion is not
settled by the ratification of the treaty |
Of peace. That is still open to discus
sion and determination.