The times., 1899-03-21
Spain and AguinnIdo.

The rumor is once more current that
Spain seriously contemplates a recognition
of the belligerent rights of the Filipinos on
the ground that this country has proved
unequal to the task of their government
1t is explained that she hopes by such
course to enlist China or Japan and per-
haps France in the movement with the pur-
pose of a partition of the territory. The
immediate cause of the revival OF the rumor
is the protest of M. Cambon against the
order of General Otis prohibiting all ne
gotiations on behalf OF Spain with the
Filipinos for the release Of the Spanish
prisoners.
All such reports may be dismissed as
without solid foundation. Not that Spain
would not gladly undertake the scheme If
she could see the least hope of success.
She is deeply angered by the Intervention
of General Otis. There is a popular clamor
against the Madrid government for the de-
lay in the rescue of the prisoners, even
the Church raising its voice with i'm
patience because of the priests in Aguin-
aldo's hands. Back of this is Spain's con-
tinued hatred of this country as the cause
of her humiliation and distress. She does
not believe we had any other motive than
the acquisition of her possessions, and
therefore would regard it as her highest
duty to involve us in all possible difficulties
and disasters. But there is no basis for
hope of effecting anything of the kind.
China has trouble enough on her hands
in saving her own territory from the
knife. without getting involved in new
complications. She even looks to this
country to exert an influence to preserve
the integrity of the Empire. Japan has no
cause of quarrel or grievance against us.
Regardless of the suspicion that irrespon-
sible Japanese, with view to profit. have
sold arms and supplies to the Filipinos. We
may look on her as one of the most stead
fast of our friends. The Japanese govern
ment has almost gone out of its way to as
sure us of its friendly regard. To invite
a war with this great Republic would be
a suicidal act for which she could find no
justification. The idea that France could
be induced to consider such a proposition
for a single instant is wholly unreasonable
She is not in condition 10 excite new
enmity.
The Philippines are certainly a desir-
able possession. Because Of their geo
graphical position they are as alluring to
every power as a diamond tiara to So
ciety woman. Their resources have only
become known of late. but probably there
is not diplomatist in Europe who does
not place a high estimate on them They
are enough to enrich a population half as
large as that OF France under the deyel-
opmental processes OF modern life, which
Spain interdicted. Ii is especially irritat-
ing and possibly very serious that the ISL
ands should belong TO this country, which
has hitherto been ignored in calculating
the future of the Far East. On all ac-
counts ii would be desirable in the eyes
of most European statesmen to exclude US
from insular possessions in the Pacific, IL
it could be done. The fact that it can
not is realized by all but silly Spain. 1t
is known that England must be considered
in such an event and Continental Europe
does not want to make an Anglo-American
alliance inevitable.
Besides, there is no basis for the asser
ton that We cannot govern the Philippines.
That we are sending re-enforcements as
though 1t must be war of long duration
only means that it is intended to over
whelm the enemy as well as TO relieve most
OF the volunteers who have been there
from the first Spain, with all her forces
and her policy of bribery and the inhu-
manity of her warfare, never made such
progress toward the suppression of an in
surrection as General Otis has in the
weeks since the ratification of the Treaty.
1t is simply impossible that the Filipinos
should long withstand the pounding Of
General Otis, which will increase in fury
as he receives re-enforcements.
While the mysterious messages of Ad-
miral Dewey, the bitterness of Spanish
feeling, and the desire to regain the Span
ish prisoners may suggest an appeal to the
powers by Spain. there is positively no
reason to fear any attempt to aid the Fill
pinos