The times., 1899-01-27

The situation is becoming as critical as
We have all expected il would be. Aguin-
aldo who rules by force alone, having no
warrant from the so-ealled people of the
Philippines or from anybody, is eager 10
provoke an assault from the Americans
under the belief that it will lead to an
abandonment of the islands by this Gov
ornment, in which case his little god
whistle viii become the trumpet of an
undisputed king, with the consent and
material support of Germany. The in
slant the Treaty is ratified his hopes
must vanish and American authority will
reign supreme. Then it will be as much
in the power of America 10 provide
for the future of the territory, whether it
is annexation, absolute independence, a
protectorate, or whatever it may decide
as now. The ratification of the Treaty
Will not tie our hands or leave us any less
free than now to confer independence if
we choose to do it.
The reports of Admiral Dewey and
General Otis confirm the assertion that it
will be easy to bring peace and good order
and the undisputed supremacy of this Gov
ernment in the Philippines as soon as the
Treaty is operative. What is more import
ant foreign nations will be stopped from
any recognition OF the self-appointed die
tator How grave complication an ac-
acknowledgement of the independence of the
Philippines by Germany and Spain would
be, everybody must know That both
countries want to increase our difficulties
which would have no existence but for the
minority in the Senate-we have every
reason TO know. We do not want a war
with Germany. There is no real danger
of such war unless the ratification of the
! Treaty is delayed long enough for the
| German agents at HoBgkong TO induce
] their Government to seize the opportunity
TO acquire claims in the Philippines For
no patriotic reason the Senate minority is
lighting a train that may cause an awful
explosion. That the minority Senators do
it under the absurd plea that they cannot
trust the American people and Congress
and the President to deal fairly with the
Filipinos, does not lessen. but magnifes.
their offence.
To put the Philippines on the same plane
with Cuba would be 10 invite a very great
trouble. No foreign power can touch Cuba,
for the Monroe doctrine lives. But if the
. Treaty should be amended as the minority
proposes, Germany could easily work for
the possession of the Philippines. She
could assert that since Spains surrender
of sovereignty was in favor of no power
this nation would have only military
possession; that, having no sovereign
rights, we could not complain if she should
recognize any government Filipino bri-
gand might set up and make treaties with
ii whereby she should have a predominant
influence. Then the minority Senators
would declare that the Philippines are lot
worth a war with Germany, and should
be abandoned TO her BY demanding the
amendment of the Treaty they virtually
demand the surrender OF the Philippines
to any foreign nation that is shrewd
enough to go to Aguinaldos support
against a majority Of the Filipinos. Ger
many, with which We are now engaged in
a great and growing industrial war, would
be that shrewd nation. and her commercial
and Industrial advantages from such a
policy would be enormous, and al our ex-
pense.
This situation warrants the promptest
action on the part of the President. II we.
OF this day, are not to be execrated by
future generations for allowing Senate
minority to fling away the most golden op-
portunity Of the country's history for the
extension of republican institutions and
our national influence, our industries, and
our commerce; if We are to forfeit the
chance to save millions of people from
return to the monarchical yoke, the Presi-
dent must take immediate steps to en-
force our authority in the Philippines. He
should begin by putting Aguinaldo's in
solent agent out OF the country. There is
an urgent duty for the people also. The
time between this and the sixth of Feb
ruary is short but ii is long enough for
every State Legislature now in session to
adopt the most imperative resolutions call
ing on the Senate TO ratify the Treaty un-
conditionally.