New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-22
FYplNSI0N NOT OMISSION.

The curious pretensiOn IL put forward by OPP
ronents OF the Peace Treaty that II the treaty
Is ratified the United States Will be bound 10
hold the Philippines forever and to incorporate
them into the Union "a States. In support OF
this amazing theory II is recalled that the lands
hitherto coded 10 us by France Spain. Mexico
and Russia have thus been Incorporated. ana
So II Is argued must we deal with the Philip
pines and Porto Rico II we accept SPANS ces-
sion Of them.
Well In the first place, we have not invaria-
bly followed expansion with admission.
largo part of the Mexican cessiOn OF fifty years
ago is still out Of the Union, and has no I'M
mediate prospect Of getting into II. The whole
of the Russian cesson Of thirty years ago Is
still out and is likely 10 stay out for all time.
That is to say, nearly one-third Of all the land
we have acquired by treaty Is still outside the
Union Of States. and more than one-ffth OF 1t
is practically certain TO stay out. So the al
legged fact that is cited as the basis Of the argu-
ment is not fact nj ALL In the words of
classic poet,
Your labor is lost. and your argument wrecked
II your major premise Is incorrect
We may go a step further however and say
that even Il all former acquisitions OF territory
except Alaska, had been Immediately admitted
as States. and such admission had been made
fixed feature of our National policy, we should
still be under not the slightest obligation 10
admit the Philippines, or even 10 retain them
in our possession forever. II Will not do to say
that because we do a certain thing In one set
OF circumstances we are bound to do II again
in another set Of circumstances. The French.
Spanish and Mexican cessions were OF territory
on this continent directly contiguous with our
existing territory and absolutely certain TO be
speedily populated by our own people. But
Alaska and these islands Of the sea are not
contiguous with the United States. and are
certain never to be largely populated by the
people OF the United States. And that differ
ence in condition makes all the difference in the
world in our attitude toward them.
We assume that when Alaska was purchased
II was generally taken for granted that 1t would,
for the reasons we have stated never be adj
mitted 10 Statehood. We assume with entire
confidence that such IS the feeling and nten-
ton OF the people OF the United States to-day
concerning the islands Hawaii, Porto Rico, the
Philippines and Cuba which we have either
acquired or are about TO acquire by cession. or
have taken away from Spain. They can never
become contiguous with our continental do
main, and their population can never become
homogeneous with our own. They can, there
fore never possess two Of the most important
and essential qualifications for Statehood.
This Nation may extend TO such lands It's
protection, it's advice and aid In the develop
ment of native governments OF their own, and
its temporary or permanent guidance and tute-
lage 1t does not propose TO ask them 10 come
10 its support and protection. II IS quite able
to care for itself. And il will keep n free hand
in dealing with them. II may hold them as
Territories. 1t may protect them in semau-
tonomy. 1t may In time set them up In entire
independence. 1t may even dispose of its in
terest I'm them TO some other Power. To deny
It's freedom and It's competence TO do any Of
these things is to deny that It Is sovereign
Nation