New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-20
THE NEW POSSESSIONS.

II was scarcely midnight here and May II
had not begun when the dispatch from Manila.
halfway round the world. dated about noon of
Nav II, told of the taking Of another rebel cap
ital that morning We get the news from that
part of our country before it occurs. not only
the falsehoods of Americans who are opposed TO
their flag and of their leaders, the Filipino
Junta. go. Sdings of actual events which beat
the sun IN his westward march General Law
ton at San Isidro, whence Aguinaldo started In
n wagon three days earlier ito avoid the Amer
leans" pushes the rebellion off toward the
mountains, where an organized force cannot
long he maintained. Landing of American forces
on Mindanao, the second island OF the Philip
pines In size. marks progress far to the south
ward.
General Wood. whose reputation AS military
commander Of rare wisdom is established, re-
turns from a tour through the province OF San
tiago and reports the country quiet. indus
tries everywhere resuming. brigandage scarcely
known anywhere except In stories or Cuban
politicians. and the people anxious only for
greater security that their present well-being
will continue, He does not say So but every
body can read between the lines that the inhab-
itants who do business, have estates or are en-
gagged in productive work prefer the certain
safety which American government gives to the
meteoric and explosive possibilities OF govern
ment by Cuban politicians. Men whose furious
" selfish ambition sets them Quarrelling among
themselves every time they meet to do anything
for their country have advertised that they
would be poor guides for young nation. even
If they had not vindlctive memories to inname
them and hunger to despoil the Spaniards. SUB
stantial Cubans who desire order and peace
can foresee as well as the Spaniards the acts OF
oppression, the outbreaks Of violence and the
warfare Of factions which Cuban government
would involve under conditions nov existing or
likely to exist In the near future 1t will not be
possible to refuse to the people the protection Of
lust and impartial laws and a strong govern
ment If they ask II, and every hour of restless
and childish wrangling among would-be leaders
of the Cubans renders 1t more probable that
majority Of the people will ask such govern
ment and no other.
Some good men, who have learned by per-
sonal intercourse with the people what condi-
tons really are in Cuba, confess that they do
not believe a stable and just self-government
can be established there st present but reason
that the United States s bound first 70 give the
Inhabitants trial 1t has no right, they argue,
to force upon the people a government by the
United States without their desire. Certainly
not and neither has II a right to force upon
them government by Cuban factions without
their desire. 1t has no right to deny them pro-
lection II they ask II, nor the just and stable
government which cannot at present be ex-
pectcd except under United States authority
| 1t will not discharge It's own duties unless II
| seeks to know the will of the people Of Cuba
before deciding upon any change. II It gives
, them opportunity TO declare freely whether
| they prefer American government or indepen-
| dence and such government as they are pre-
pared to establish and support the United
States can judge of their readiness for free in
| sttutions by the way they meet that test but
would have no right whatever to cast off its re-
| sponsbties at time when the people Of Cuba
are not ready 10 assume them
With regard to all these new possessions the
responsibilities and powers Of the President as
military commander cannot be terminated until
a solution can be reached which he can In good
conscience accept as giving promise OF just
and stable government by the people Congress
could not consent, and he could not consent II
Congress were willing. to turn over responsible
NY and power in the Philippines TO a savage
and despotic secret league embracing only
part OF single race OF the Philippine inhab
tants. Neither could Congress nor the Pres-
dent consent to turn over responsibility and
power TO faction Of ambitious politicians in
Cuba who may secure the support Of a majority
OF the so-called soldiers AT the most not n tenth
OF the adult male inhabitants Of the island. The
country will demand that there shall be some
! evidence what the people actually desire In each