The age-herald., 1899-01-15

issue, 1t is the part of wisdom to deal with it at once and dispose of 1t permanently. The opponents of the treaty would also be compelled to assume responsibility for the continuance of war conditions, and for the risks which always attend negotiations with a hostile nation.
 Avoids Complications
 ''The rejection of the treaty would give the administration an excuse for military expenditures which would not be justified after the conclusion of peace, and the op ponents of the treaty would be charged with making such appropriations neces- sary. It must be remembered that in case the treaty is rejected, negotiations must be renewed with an enemy whose ill-wll is not concealed. Who is able to guarantee the nation against new dangers and new complications In order to form an esti mate of the risks which would thus be in- cured, one has only to recall the unexpeet- ed things which have happened since war was declared. Is it wise to so make the at tack as to- assume all the risks when the same end can be gained by plan which throws the risks upon our opponents? If the imperalists vote down a resolution de- claring the nations policy or postpone it's consideration, they become responsible Tor any loss of life or expenditure of money which may follow as a result of such action. "I suggest below a few reasons in sup port of a resolution declaring 1t to be the nations purpose to establish stable gov- ernment in Cuba and the Philippines, and then to give the inhabitants independence under an American protectorate, which will guard them from molestation from without. "First. such a course is consistent with national honor.
 Asks for Resolution
 Our nation owes it to the nations with which we have dealings, as well as to the inhabitants of Cuba, Porto Rico and the Philippines, to anounce immediately what it intends to do respecting the territory sur rendered by Spain.
 "The president has said that the only purpose our nation has in taking possession of Cuba is to assist the inhabitants to es- tablish a stable and independent govern ment. It can do no harm for congress to reaffirm this purpose, and it may do much good. The Cubans, having fought for in- dependence for many years and against great odds, are naturally jealous of the liberty which they have won, and no doubt should be left as to the sincerity and good faith of our government in it's dealings with them. Such declaration would not only be harmless, but it is almost made necessary by the fippant, if not contemptu- ous, tone in which some United States officials speak of the intelligence and pa triotism of the Cubans and of the remote ness of their independence.
 'The duty of declaring our national policy in regard to the Philippines is even more imperative. The Fiipinos were fighting for independence when the United States de- clared war against Spain. In the formal protest filed with the peace commissioners in Paris the representatives of Aguinaldo assert that they received friendly assur- ances from United States officials, and acted upon these assurances in co-operat- ing against the Spaniards. Whether or not such assurances were given, frankness and honesty should characterize our dealings with them.
 Needs for Plain Speech
 "If we announce to the world that we hold the Philippine Islands not for pecun- iary profit but in trust for the inhabitants; if we declare that our only purpose is to assist the Filipinos to establish stable and independent government, friendly rela- tions will be maintained and there will be little need of troops If. on the other hand, the Filipinos are not to have independence, but merely change of masters, we should