The times., 1899-02-09
. Enrnncan Onininns.

Europcan Opinions.
1t is interesting to read the foreign
comments on the situation in the Philip
pines as il is affected b. the attack on the
a merican lines and By the ratification Cf
the Treaty of Peace. Naturally, the Eng
lish newspapers have made the best pre-
dictiOns as to the effect of the battle.
While the German press asserted that the
evident purpose Of the Filipinos to resist
American rule would cause panic in this
country and lead to the abandonment OF
the islands to the horrors of domestic
strife. the London journals were con-
fident it would insure the ratification of
the Treaty and create a unanimous de-
mard for the complete subjugation of the
rebels. II is probable that an earnest de-
sire TO see the Americans give up their at
tempt to govern the Philippines was re-
sponsible for the views OF the Berlin eai-
tors, but it is strange they should under
value the moral courage and determination
OF the American people. Perhaps their
opinion found warrant in the humiliating
fact that twenty-seven United States Sena-
tors favored retreat.
The suggestion of two French journals
that Japan is disposed to aid the rebe's.
even to the point of supplying arms and
ammunition shows poor knowledge of the
relations between this country and Japan.
Among the powers that urged America TO
demand and retain the Philippines, Japan
as second only to England in hea"tiness.
There is positively no ground for the no.
ron that the government of Japan would
tolerate any display of sympathy with the
misguided followers of the dictator, and
there is no doubt it would promptly sup
press every attempt to organize flibus
tering expedition. The French opinion is
that Aguinaldos resort 10 violence insures
annexation. presumably because by his ag
gression he has forfeited all claim to coll
sideration. This is true as far he is
personally concerned. but the Americans
will continue to keep in view the welfare
Of the inhabitants of the island, when
American authority is recognized in every
part OF the archipelago
OF course Spanish views are die
tated by hatred of this country. The
Madrid newspapers ignore the important
fact that the Tagalos were repulsed and
routed, and that they cannot hope TO main
tain long guerrilla war against such
fighters as the Americans; therefore, they
assert that this Government Will have TO
submit TO the humiliation of Withdrawing
from the Philippines or of undergoing the
same costly and indeterminate warfare that
Spain suffered. They are right in demand
ing the liberation of the Spanish prisoners
! Even if there had been no violent assau /
on the forces OF General Otis. it would be
I our duty to carry out the pledge 10 do what
! We could TO obtain their release. The rat
! ification of the Treaty makes us. In the
! eyes of Spain. the sovereign power in the
! Philippines, and the army that holds the
( Spaniards rebels. Until we have made a
/ positive effort to compel their surrender. il
cannot be said We have fulfilled the condi-
tions OF the Treaty.
| il is undenisble that the foreign nations
/ have a measure of interest in the future
| Of the Philippines. They have citizens who
! have business concerns there and to whom
they must guarantee protection. They can
| find no warrant for giving countenance to
the rebels. and are not disposed to do 80
openly. We are responsible for the good
order Of The islands and the safety Of for
eign residents. and we can hold the respect
Of the world only By forcing the rebe,s TO
recognize our authority. Only the Eng. .ish
journals have anything 10 say about the
superb fighting Of the American soldiers.
They admit that the volunteers fought with
tho coolness and efficiency OF regulars and
| veterans.