The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-02-09

relieves The administration Of some en-
barrassments In Its attitude towards
the dependencies, but Is in q sense only
the beginning Of new responsibilities.
The reports which have been circulated
in some quarters that Cuba was to be
given up TO the government Of her own
people and that only a protectorate was
10 be maintained in the Philippines ere,
at least, premature. The ddmlnistra-
ton does not expect to relinquish au-
,hority in any OF these Islands for q
long time to come. What Is proposed
Is to place the local civil service In the
hands Of natives as far as can be done
with safety. In this respect the Amer
lean policy will not differ radically
from that of the British in Egypt, but
the difference will exist that direct
American sovereignty will continue to
prevail for 4 long time to come In both
Cuba and the Philippines. 1t may pre-
vail forever II Il Is acceptable 10 the
people, but this Is q bridge which will
not be crossed until 1t Is reached. Mr..
Porter assured Gen. Gomez, in their re-
cent interview in Cuba, that the United
States proposed to build local self-gov-
ernment in Cuba from the bottom up
wards-beginn!ng with local assemblies
and then proceeding, II 1t seemed advis-
able. to provincial and insular repre-
sentative government. ~ This project
cannot be seriously undertaken until
peace has been restored throughout the
Islands, the Cubans have laid down
their arms, the courts are In orderly OPP
Grafton and some of the friction has
hot IrI batt ftEs tt, tNOr, ~, hal
Spanlards In Cuba. When these meas
ures have been accomplished the project
OF local suffrage for municipal assem-
bles will be taken up and will be grad
ually extended TO provincial and insular
assemblies. Whether the United States
shall then renounce control over Cuba
will depend upon q large measure to
the wishes Of the people and their ap-
parent capacity for orderly government
which shall respect private rights and
the obligation of contracts.
The same propositions which are sub
mitted to the Cubans In regard to local
self-government will be submitted by
the Philippine commission, to The people
of Luzon and other Islands of the Phil
ippine and Sulu groups, SO far as such
propositions arc capable of Intelligent
consideration. High hopes are enter
tained by the administration from the
commission headed by Professor Schur-
man and containing Prof. Worcester
and eX-Alinister DENLY, which is now on
its way to Manila II Aguinaldo and his
followers can give any guarantee of Gu
pacity for orderly self-government,
some cautious steps will be taken to put
this capacity TO the test. 1t was the
purpose Of President Mckinley, in APP
pointing the Philippine commission. to
hold out the olive branch to the peo-
PIE of the islands and give them the as
surance that the United States proposed
10 deal with them fairly. The measures
taken in the Philippines. 1t is felt, how
ever. must be more cautious and rudi-
mentary than those taken in Cuba.
Hardly any steps towards self-gov-
eminent can be expected in the less CIV
ilzed Islands. and it is not anticipated
that the United States will ever re-
nounce sovereignty over any Of the Phil
ippines. 1t is believed at the white
house that when the benevolent purpos-
es Of this government In respect TO taxa
ton. equality before the law. and self
government at home are understood and
appreciated by the people OF the islands.
opposition 10 American sovereignty will
practically come TO an end. 1t Is pro-
bablc that in both Cuba and the Phil
lppines the American encouragement
VIII for long time reserve the abso-
lutte right OF veto upon any act of the
local government. with asyiew to the
tull protection of the interests OF the
United States and the rights:of persons
and property. Within these limits, how
ever. the President desires TO; 80 as far
as Is cafe in giving the control of all
tne Islands 10 the natives. ~
1here are few condtionS,Hhich tho
United States would be likely to impose,
even II a nominally independent gov
erhment were set UP in any Of the is
lands. The United States will never
consent, according TO the programme
OF; the present administration, to the
interference OF any European power
vim the people of Cuba or, the Philip
pines. protectorate will be main-
tanned In this sense. even II every other
semblance Of United States authority
disappears from the islands. 1t viii
never be possible for any of tho islands
even By their own act to pass under
Inc sovereignty OF any other power
without invoking war with the United
States would consent to any .disc-imiIi-
alton against her people In matters of
customs duties and navigation charges
Wnich were not also levied against all
"thcr nations II Cuba should in pro-
tesS OF tune he recognized as independ-
'Ht' reciprocity treaty continuing the
'H's'ihs low rates upon those articles
winch are naturally imported from this
country would undoubtedly be required
wen II no direct Determinations in our
favor were made.
lherc remain two other important
nronositions upon which the United
states is likely to insist whether under
sneir own authority or that of IN indie
p"hueiit government. These are that
aontfacts shall be respected and that
uehtS shall be discharged In their full
equivalent, The gold standard has not
yet been established in the Philippines,
hnl probably cannot be csta hlishcd un-
.tSS Eoln becomes the basis Of the cur
a"ncy OF British India. hut respect for
EIp contract. and the prohibition of the
.o'tei legal tender of irrndecmablc pa
I'F IN execution OF such contracts
Mouin no necessary conditions In the at
traction otAmerlcan capital for invest
ntht' II Is generally believed that both
.ur;t ana the Philippines will be found
!ehaS 10 remain under our sovereignty
Mnrh they are granted such measures
local Seit-Eovernmcnt as they are
In1anlc OF exercising wisely: but whcth-
thls Is The case or not the fundameut-
81, purposes which have encouraged the
INC supporters of the treaty OF peace in
..htir resistance to passion and abuse
snT creation OF new markets for AmcrI-
oH products and new fields for Amcri-
rnit capitalization under conditions of
',taWiiity and security-will be adhered
w. oy Inc administration In any ar
'""Eeiheht made under its authority.
: whore the MnsOns CONC FROM