The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-01-27
THE PHILIPPINE POLICY DE
CLARED.
DE-


Senator Davis. who has charge Of the
treaty made it clear what the policy of
the administration is In respect to the
Philippines in the remarks which he made
in the executive session Of the Senate on
Wednesday when he accepted the prOpo-
sition OF Senator German TO name day
for taking a vote on the question of rati-
tying the treaty. The administration does
not intend 10 commit itself as 10 whether lis
purpose is to hold the islands permanent
ly or only so long as may be necessary to
establish a stable and enlightened govern
ment in them, for the reason that it has
no means of knowing how long it may be
session of them in order TO carry out the
programme il has in view.
The inference from what Senator Davis
said is, that the administration would be
willing TO let the Philippine Islands have
their independence at the earliest possible
moment consistent with the best interest
of all concerned. il the question of the
government of the islands were the only
thing to be considered. There is, however,
another and very important matter in
volved in the question of our relation to
the Islands, and that is the trade of the
ment made by Senator Davis ii Is expected
that the time is not distant when that
empire will be parceled out among the
Powers of Europe. The trade of the part
which each Power gets will be monopolized
by that Power. There will be no open
door" policy unless il is demanded by the
United States and Great Britain. The
United States viii not be In a position to
demand IL unless she holds on to the Phil
ippines, and Great Britain will hardly de-
mand it If she have no assistance. The
consequence win be that the vast trade
of China which will increase in volume as
the civilizing process goes on, will be
wholly monopolized by Europe. This coun-
try, which is fast becoming the greatest
manufacturing country in the world, Will
get no part Of it. A great outlet for its
manufactured products will be lost to it
forever.
This is practically the ADMINISTRATORS
case. 1t Is evident that the commercial in
terests of the country are supporting the
administration-at least the great majority
OF them are. But It is by no means certain
that we shall be shut out from all partici-
patton I'm the trade of China in the near
future if we do not retain possession of
that If we give up those islands we shall
find a way to get share of the trade of
China-a trade which is certain to be
enormous if the development of the re-
sources of that empire takes place as ex-
pected.
There are several things to be taken into
consideration in connection with this mat
ter One is that it may be many years be-
fore an attempt is made to parcel out the
Chinese empire, and In The meantime It
viii cost US many lives and vast amount
of money annually to retain possession of
and to govern the Philippines. Would the
share of the trade of China which would
eventually come to us be worth what 1t
would cost to get it? 1t is very doubtful
If it would, Another thing to be consider
ed is the evil effects a colonial govern
ment would have on our institutions. The
drift towards Imperialism might be so
rapid that republican principles would be
lost sight of before the parceling out of
China began.
Under the circumstances, therefore. the
wiser course to pursue is to declare that
il is not our purpose to hold the Philip
pines in perpetuity, but only so long as it
may be necessary to give the Fnipinos a
good start on the road to self government.
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