Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-02-07
Observation-Disclosures Z, 1899.
MANILA RATTLE AND TREATY.


American troops and the insurgents sur
prised no one who had any intelligent ap-
probation Of the situation in that quar-
ter. 1t had been clear for weeks that it
was inevitable. Therefore, in a sense, IL
relieved public suspense. None the less
It was exceedingly unfortunate for this
nation that it should have occurred just
when It did, seeing that it proved a
good enough Morgan for the admins
tration and,its imperialistic hackers. The
clock could not have struck more oppor-
timely for the administration. per-
haps, more ominously for our institu-
tons, had abe hour Of its striking been
prearranged at the White House in Wash
ington.
Ex-Nfinister Woodford, in a recent ad-
dress, practically admitted that the blow
ing up OF the Maine saved the cause or
the Jingoes by giving them backbone and
affording them at a critical moment
means Of justification before the people.
The Manila fight Of Saturday night and
Sunday. occurring. as 1T did. at a critical
moment also, appears TO have saved the
cause Of the expansionists.
When the Dispatch went to press Sun
day morning 1t was conceded by some of
the most ardent advocates Of imperial
ism that the treaty with Spain, upon
which it had been agreed 10 take q vote
yesterday. was in danger. That is to say,
1t was conceded that it was not likely to
be ratified without an amendment pledg
ing us against permanent retention Of
the Philippines. A stock argument Of the
expansionists had been that failure to
ratify the treaty had been one of the
most potential causes of insurgent de-
fance. American hesitation and dilly-
dallying, we were told, had encouraged
Aguinaldo and his adherents. There was
however, at bottom nothing in this The
position Of the insurgents was that they
wanted freedom. They did not propose
10 swap one master for another. Hence
the logic of the situation indicated that
ratification would enhance the dangers
OF a conflict.
But since the clash has come the i'm
perialsts have used it with telling effect
TO bolster up their position. 1t matters
not that there is nothing more in the
argument in question now than there was
forty-eight hours ago; they have turned
1t to good advantage. They have played
the second battle OF Manila most adroitly
and successfully as a factor in "vindi-
eating their policy. AS might have been
expected. they have employed It as a
lash with which TO whip in doubtful SEN
ators, with the result that on yesterday
they secured a ratification of the treaty
without amendment, and placed the
United States before the world as dis
tinctly repudiating the solemn pledge We
gave as TO our object in going TO wal
with Spain. II the action of the Senate
means anything, 1t means formal decla.
ration Of our decision TO cut loose from
all our traditions, overleap all our his.
toric safeguards, and enter upon a career
obnoxious TO all the lessons and warnings
Of the fathers Of the republic.
But the worst of it does not lie in the
fact that the conflict OF Saturday night
and Sunday afforded the Imperialists an
opportunity TO push the treaty through.
Taken In connection with the virtual ac-
complishment of annexation, our new war
will be worked for all it is worth in the
matter of trying 10 secure the passage by
tho Senate OF the Hull army bin. which
makes William Mckinley a "war lord"
and opens the doors for fastening upon
the people OF this country burdensome
taxation for years 10 come. ana all the
Ills of European mili,arism The luck Of
the President in this matter involves a
threat 20 the liberties OF our people-a
menace OF dcspotism-for when the paci-
hcation Of the Philippines shall have been
accomplished. what is to prevent the ad-
yocates OF Capitalization from finding an
excuse for pacifying the people at home?
So We say the second Manila fight may
prove an event ominous for our institu-
tions, unless the Democratic leaders
arouse the masses 20 a determination
that the action OF the Senate shall not
bind as TO permanent possession of the
Philippines. and that IL the Hull bin
passes the Senate IL shall stand only tenn
porarily This we hope our leaders Will
lose no time in doing. Assuming now
that the Hull bin will pass the Senate
they should decide 70 make these qucs-
sions prominent issues In the campaign