The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1899-01-30
MONDAY, JANUARY 80, 1899.
spanish and American Civilization.

Probably the public has long since ex-
hsusted its power to be surprised at any
exhibition of inconsistency on the part OF
the Senate minority who oppose the ratifi-
cation of the Treaty of Peace. Their
whole attitude is SO conspicuously Illogical
that it would be unreasonable to expect
anything like harmony in their views on
any two points. Still, it is interesting to
note how the exigency of their situation
compels them TO stultify themselves, TO
virtually censure themselves for the posi-
tion they assumed when the question OF
American Intervention in behalf of Cuban
liberty became pressing. 1t will be re-
Inembered that there was a faction which
was yoIuble in denouncing every sugges-
;ion that we could owe any duty to the
islanders who were struggling TO release
themselves from the CALLING yoke OF Spain
who maintained that we should pre-
serve our friendly relations with that bar
i1arous nation, partly because the Cubans
were wholly unfit TO govern themselves and
unit TO become citizens of this country
and for whom, therefore, there could only
be submission TO the rule OF the monarchy
which held sovereignty over the island.
They became hysterical when the resolu-
tion was introduced to recognize the al
legged Cuban government.
These were the men who are now de-
manding that we shall recognize the al
legged government of Aguinaldo and relin-
quish all claim to the Philippines in the
name of the liberty they sneered at in the
case of Cuba-Hoar, Hale, Carnegie, Ed
munds. Godkin, Schurz, and their strange
l5edfellows. They say, in effect, that it
was montrous &c allow the Cubans, with
many long tried patriots and educated men
among their leaders-men who had lived,
during many years Of exile, in this country
to think Of independence. They said it
would mean the temporary success first
of one adventurer and then of another in
obtaining the seat Of power, with con-
slant reign of horror. But they assert that
il is wise and due 10 the cause of human
freedom. TO which this nation is conse-
Grated. that we should allow the very first
adTenturer who can pick up a following
Of deluded ignorance-an adventurer who
onee sold out the Filipinos for Spanish
gold-to become the virtual dictator of
- Philippines. They do not even demand
that we shall permit the Filipinos TO select
their own rulers. but shall recognize the
alleged government appointed by Aguin-
aldo himself.
Strangely enough, they do not try to
make themselves appear consistent or rea-
sonablc. They do not assert that.the Fill
pinos, with their considerable proportion of
ssyages, are more capable OF self govern
Inent than the Cubans. When they first
opposed the retention of the archipelago
they dwelt on the profound ignorance,
hopeless intractability, constitutional in
dolence. and general worthlessness of the
race which they now say il is our highest
duty to allow to establish a republic that
shall be an Eastern star of hope to all the
victims of tyranny. Perhaps it is worthy
OF note, too, in the study of degenerate
statesmen, that they are eager for the
earliest possible evacuation Of Cuba by our
forces and the withdrawal OF our author
ity. IL cannot be denied that closer ac-
quaintance with a majority of the Cubans
has not exalted American opinion of their
intellectual and moral qualities. They do
not. on inspection, appear TO be better
fitted 20 set up a republic without training
IN citizenship than when their plea for
recognition was rejected. Yet such is the
perYersity of the enemies OF the Peacs
Treaty that they are ready to confer abso-
lutte independence on the Cubans at once,
although they are on record as denying
their right TO or fitness for independence
The casual observer may wonder that as
Senator Hoar, as a spokesman for the mi
nority, opposed Cuban independence and
then demanded II for the Filipinos, he
does not recognize difference in the two
cases. Yet his complaint is that the Ad-
ministration, acting under popular senti-
ment, does not adopt the same policy in
relation 10 both. The reasons are obvious
10 everybody else and there is one that
may not be so obvious, but is important
There can be no interference by any for
eign power with >9uba's experiment The
Monroe doctrine, now universally acknowl-
edged and respected, and TO which we are
pledged, is bar to any such Interference.
But il we should recognize any sovereign
power in the Philippines except our own;
II we should, as the minority Senators pro-
pose. concede independence to the I'M
trained Filipinos, We could never, with the
consent of these Senators, undertake TO up
mold government established there. 1t
might, IL almost certainly would, mean n