The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-03-12
THE COST OF IMPERIALISM.

We are just beginning TO get an under
standing Of what the cost of Imperialism
is likely TO be. The war with Spain cost
very nearly 500 10000. and, in consequence
of that war, we have troubles on our hands
which promise to cost us a great deal
more than that amount. The war with the
Fihpinos has forced US to send to the Phil
ippines a large army and many vessels Of
war The conflict between our forces and
the Fnipinos is almost a continuous bat
tie, and though comparatively few of our
soldiers have, as yet. fallen victims to the
bullets of the enemy or TO the climate,
there is reason to apprehend that the
ranks Of our soldiers viii be thinned rapid
ly as soon as the sickly season. which is
close at hand comes. How long the con-
test viii last no one can predict with any
degree Of certainty. II viii last, however,
until the Filipinos recognize our authority.
A year hence. it may be two or more years,
viii find the conflict stin in progress, I'M
less the Fnp.nos admit that we are mas
tiers of their Islands.
In the meantime the situation in Cuba
and Porto Rico is not as encouraging as
could be wished. Yesterday our dispatches
showed that in Porto Rico the people are
chatting under military rule, and are show
Ing a very hostile spirit 10 our authority.
Under the lead of professional agitators
they are demanding the management of
their own affairs, and it is probable that
there viii not be peace and security for life
on the island until they get 1t.
In Cuba there is a spirit of restlessness
that is likely to lead TO trouble of a very
serious character. In both Cuba and Porto
Rico there is military government at pres
ent and the Governors are army officers
men who are excellent soldiers and who
mean to do what is right. but who have
had no training In civil affairs and hence,
are lacking in tact and in many other
qualities necessary to the successful ad-
ministration of the civil affairs of the is
lands.
The cost of the military, occupation Of
Cuba and Porto Rico is large, and it does
not seem to be accomplishing as much as
it was expected 1t would. The people want
10 manage their own affairs and the soon
er they are given chance to do so the
sooner will the future of the islands be de-
termined. Failure in self government in
Cuba will lead to demand for annexa-
ton, and in Porto Rico. in a willingness
TO let this country manage its political af-
fairs until the people there are capable of
managing them themselves.
What should be done therefore is this:
The military governments of all Of the is
lands should be placed in the hands of
men who have thorough knowledge of
civil matters-such men as Gen. Lee and
Gen. Keifer-and steps should be taken at
once towards putting the political affairs
of the island In the control of the natives.
This cannot be done In the Philippines
until the Filipinos have acknowledged our
| authority, but it can be done in Cuba and
Porto Rico.
The longer we hold the islands by force
the less likely will it be that we shall
give them to their own people, and the
stronger win become the movement in this
country towards Imperialism. Our best in
terests demand that the movement towards
imperialism shall be arrested and the ex-
pense of policy which is leading towards
| imperialism STONED