The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-06-15
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that life and property would not be
safe should American protection be
withdrawn. and both international OBJ
legation and commercial interest de-
mand that we retain possession for the
present. This brings us back to the
original proposition. It is not expedient
or desirable to grand the Fillplnos con-
stitutional rights OF American citizen
ship; It is neither safe nor practicable
to grant them independence at pres
ent. Then IT seems that there remain
but two courses that can meet with the
approval of the people Of the United
States, namely, that they be granted
Independence on territorial statehood as
soon as order is established under
American direction, which would be
the logical constitutional course, as 1t
now stands. or to amend the constItu-
ton and hold these Islands as Ameri-
can colonial possessions to be govern
ed as the people of the United States
may direct. These people have never
had American citizenship and conse-
quently cannot be treated as secession
lists, as some advocate, nor is 1t prob
able that the people of the United
States Will ever grant It's full prlvi-
leges to ten million Pacific islanders.
The Two Chief Objections.
The two chief objections to a colon
ial policy are that 1t requires large
standing army and navy with the con
tIgent expense and taxation, and that
tropical colonies do not pay. This lat
ter statement is easily demonstrated to
be q fact by consultation of the re-
cords of Great Britain and France.
With eleven million square miles Of
colonies and the greatest merchant ma
rlne in the world the export trade of
Great Britain fell or some 8 per cent
during the five years prior to 1898,
while that of the United States mater
tally Increased without the possession
of single colony. France has colonial
possessions equal to the United States
in area and with population of more
than nifty millions, yet her minister,
NJ. Peletan. states that for trade
balance Of four millions and the dignity
of ruling foreign peoples, France Is an
nually expending more than fifteen mil
lion dollars.
Question Should be Studied.
While the action of the United States
thus far has apparently been the only
possible one, the time has come when
the different aspects of the question
should be more thoroughly studied by
the American voter, for it remains with
him whether we shall withdraw from
our commanding situation in the arena
Of eastern politics: whether our future
policy shall be "accretlon" or "coloni
cation" whether we shall stick to the
Monroe Doctrine" and mo entangllng
alliances" trusting TO our ingenuity
business ability, and undeveloped
American territory for future "oxpan-
sion." or whether we shall take our
place as a great world governing power
with all the responsibilities and prlvl.
leges contingent thereon. This Is one
OF the questions that are to come be-
fore the conventions, and upon their
choice OF policy in relation thereto Will
depend the success OF their respective
parties at the polls in November; for
upon the Issue Of this election WIN de-
pend the future policy OF the United
States In regard to colonial possessions
and this is too great consideration. or
question to be controlled by mere party
allegiance, hence the Importance OF
proper action In convention.
Awake to the Issue.
We in the Philippines do not doubt
but that the intelligent and progressive
American voters are thoroughly alive
to the possibilities OF the situation and
that they Will meet new conditions
with new methods and n spirit COM
mensurate with the magnitude of the
opportunities presented, but there are
large numbers In both parties who have
neither time nor opportunity TO study
the conditions and the responsibility for
these votes will rest largely with their
respective party organizations. with