The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-03-09
THE PHILIPPINES AGAIN.

THE PHILIPPINES AGAIN.
The new York Independent" in re-
viewing the Philippine situation points
out that the protocol of August 18th
provided after declaring the cession Of
certain islands in the West Indies, and
the Central Western Pacific Ocean, that
1.-The control and disposition of the
Philippines" was to be left to settle
ment in the treaty of peace. In the
correspondence leading up to this de-
ctaration it was made clear that Spain
did not priori renounce sovereignty
over the Philippine group, but that she
might do so later
This was the situation which con-
fronted the Peace Commission in Paris
where the very first paper presented by
the Spanish Commissioners set forth
that 1.-The status quo in the Philippines
had been altered with daily increasing
gravity to the prejudice of Spain by
the campaign, and still form an aux
Hilary force to the regular American
troops" This was an admission of
SPANS inability to maintain herself in
the islands though the United States
had distinctly disclaimed any relation
between the insurgents and the AIneri-
can forces and this country.
The Independent asks: What, then.
was to be done with the islands," Even
supposing that no foreign complica-
tons would have entered in, to restore
the territory to Spain would have been
"a tragic farce" So positive is this
conviction, that now very few indeed
can be found to say that the attempt
should have been made. But suppose
that the course taken with regard to
the West Indies had been pursued, and
instead of a cession REIMBURSEMENT
of sovereignty only had been taken from
Spain. Would that have bettered mat
tiers?
The Independent is justified in the
answer it gives to the question. A
negative one. THE concession of Spain
would have been just as great in one
case as in the other, and would have
called for corresponding compensation"
1t is to be borne in mind Also it is
added, that it was far more difficult to
secure from Spain REIMBURSEMENT of
sovereignty than cession Of territory.
Fact is, she insisted upon ceding Cuba
to the United States but our Commits
sioners steadily adhered to the instruc-
tions given them calling for relinquish-
ment of sovereignty, and so it is that
we occupy the island of Cuba to-day
and are responsible for good govern
ment there, without having acquired
ritory.
But in the Philippines we have COM
plete sovereignty SO far as any title in
Spain has ever been concerned, and it
is therefore our province and privilege
to deal with the situation there with
perfect freedom. What in such a case
could we do but proceed to maintain
that sovereignty regardless of the in
to be considered, and the ridiculous
claim that their consent should have
been asked concerning the form of gov
eminent to be established in the islands
1t is imposed upon US by the logic of
the situation that we should determine
what the form of government shall be.
We cannot escape responsibility in that
respect Whatever the fate Of the ISL
ands we will be in some degree respon-
sible for it, and we are wholly SO if
the islands are permitted to return to
barbarism, or become the forum of an
archy, or fall into the hands of mon
archical Powers.
1t will be time enough for the Amer
lean people to concern themselves as
to the future of the Philippines and
their people when we shall have dis
charged the temporary duty now i'm
posed upon us. The American nation
can be trusted to do justice to the Fill
pinos without violating any human
rights they have or placing this nation
in an attitude hostile to any principle
of free government.