The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-10-11

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rated by thousands Of Dliles, have not very
different climates.
suffered from yellow fever as Cuba has suff er
ed. The temperature never exceeds 100 de-
grees, and seldom rises that high, and It
never dsPcends nearer to the frost line than
All the Islands are wonderfully fer
tile, and only need the touch OF American
capital and enterprise TO make them garden
spots. We speak particularly OF the Philip
general way, will apply to all the islands.
The Philippines are full OF the valuable
minerals.
The vegetation OF the country is rich and
The climate is healthy, and the avenues to
commerce and manufactures offer inviting
opportunities.
Two crops Of rice, and two crops Of corn
can be made in the same year.
Sweet potatoes and other tubers grow in
abundance.
The greatest profusion Of fruits are there.
Sugar cane and sorghum grow luxuriantly.
islands, though cotton and other varieties
prosper.
The dye plants grow lu1uriantly, indigo
Coffee is at home on the Philippine islands,
and susceptible, under American enterprise,
OF becoming great factor in the wealth and
commerce OF these islands.
Cocoanut trees are native TO the soil, and
from the crowning buds OF the trees, wine,
vinegar, and highly priced brandy are made.
The bamboo is one OF the wonderful trees
OF the Islands: The ycnng tender r. shoots cots
are three months old they make hats baskets
and harness. Later on, the fiber is made into
ropes, and the trunks Of the trees make the
hardest and most durable wood.
Tobacco Is an important crop, and the man
ufacture OF cigars Is considerable industry:
Spices. medicinal plants and ornamental
shrubbery abound. They grow wild In pro-
fusion.
THE ISLANDS ALREADY PART OF THIS
COUNTRY.
From the way the Philippines have been
II would seem that In some In
stances their annexation is still regarded as
an unsettled question. The fact 10, the Philip
Texas or California. And these peo-
pie of the distant islands who are resisting
the lawful authority OF the United States are
in rebellion against the proper legal authori-
ance, and their final subjugation is certain
and inevitable.
THE SPIRIT OF REPRESSION AND ROBBERY
BY SPAIN WILL GIVE PLACE TO THE
FOSTERING CARE OF AMERICA.
While Spain has nominally governed the
islands for four hundred years, her dominion
actually extended but little beyond the navi-
gable streams and the coast cities. The back
country was gen orally left to take care OF It.
self, and the tribal dissensions and warfares
paralyzed any efforts Of the people in the line
Of progress and civilization. There never
has been a united effort to make the people
homogeneous whole. The development OF the
inexhaustible resources Of mine and field has
not only been neglected but irresistible bar.
rlers have prevented progress. The system OF
and robbery as praoticed by the
and their neglect Of the rural districts,
being ruinous to the general welfare IL is not
surprising that these people have not advanc-
ed IN civilization as they would have done
under our form Of Government.
Benefit from the government OF the United
States Is already felt In the ports OF
our new possessions. Commerce has been
quick ened and the exports and imports be
ly increased. This increase of business will
continue to grow as the United States extends
its supremacy to every part OF the Islands.
With Just and equitable laws honestly en-
forced the citizens OF these Islands Will be as
loyal as the ciLiZena OF New York.
INCREASE OF NAVY NECESSARY FOR oUR
BEST INTERESTS.
The United States is more deficient In her
navy and merchant ships than In anything
else. We are, therefore, weakest on the sea;
To have navy worthy OF this country, the
and as a haven OF rest for our ships In dis
tant seas, is an absolute necessity. And the
result of these acquisitions will be an impulse
leading to an increase Of our navy and to the
development OF our merchant marine.
The nation will date new era In her prog
rees because Of the acquisition OF these is
lands. And the possession OF these ISLANDS
will give US a more respected place among
the nations. The increase OF our navy will be
q distinct advance along all the lines OF ma
tional pride and national strength.
We need more than mere coaling stations.
We need all the Islands that we have acquir-
merce OF the country, that the strength and
effectiveness OF our navy may be Increased,
and that wider sphere may be opened for
the individual effort OF our citizens.
Coaling stations In themselves are OF little
value If left unprotected In an unfriendly
country. But coaling stations, and coal, are
as necessary for successful naval warfare as
powder, shot and shell. For this reason we
need more than mere place where coal may
be dumped In peace and captured In war.
No nation at great distances from its sup
plies can successfully carry on war. Win.
out the Hawaiian and the Philippine Islands
our battle ships need not leave our own
shores. Their supplies Of coal when long dis
tances from home, would render them value.
less as engines OF war, and as defenders OF
the national honor they would be not only
useless but subjects Of capture.
WHY THE PHILIPPINES WERE TAKEN.
The facts connected with the capture OF the
Philippine islands In themselves carry con-
vincing proof OF the Vital importance or an
nexlng them. When the war with Spain was
declared, the neutral ports of the various
excluded from their harbors the
armed vessels of both Spain and the United
States.
Dewey and his fleet at that time were in
Chinese waters. When he was ordered out,
he had either come home. or TO attack the
islands. which we're then Spanish
possessions. These islands were captured OF
necessity. He must either capture the Islands
or run the risk OF having his own squardon
ca aptured on the high seas by the 6attle-
ships OF Spain. The capture OF the Philip |
pines was, therefore, a necessity, and having |
secured them. We will hold them forever.
WE NEED ARMED SHIPS.
The need of this country is armed ships,
that will command respect and obedience TO
Law.
With q navy less powerful than We now
have Dewey would rot have given America
occasion for the greatest demonstration that
was ever witnessed on this continent. In bis
triumph In war, and In the glory OF the cee-
brations that are given in his honor. the ex.
pansionists have certain evidence of the
moral support OF public sentiment.
America cannot build a Chinese wall
around herself without crushing the spirit OF
her citizens. With the spirit of her citizens
repressed, and with the limit OF their ambl-
tiOn traced by crcumscrbed lines. the ful
ness of their manhood has been reached, and
the seeds of decay will do their work.
"Peace hath her victories no less renowned
than war;"
But the achievements OF science, the learn.