Arizona daily citizen., 1901-10-15
WHAT'S IN A NAME2

ON what it considers high author
ity, that a proposition will be
brought before the next Congress
to change the name Of the Philip
pines to the Mckinley Islands.
The object, ms explained by our
contemporary, is to perpetuate
the name and glory of the martyr
ed President and his administra-
ton" Tho Herald has no doubt
that the proposition, if presented
in the proper manner, will be ac-
cepted without question by Con
gross, The proposed change, it
says would link President Mckin-
ley s namo with tho Government
of the country for all time, and al-
80 would be constant and con
spicuous reminder to future gen
erations throughout the world that
it WAS in his administration that
the republic expanded its bcnef-
cent influence to the Orient and
there established in enduring form
its institutions and systems.
1t may be that this would be a
perfectly proper way to perpetuate
the name and glory of President
Mckinley. However this may be,
there is no question that it would
be unique method of commemor
atIng MIR Mckinley share in the
policy which extended American
sovereignty to the Philippines.
For prudential reasons, however,
might it not be we'll for Congress
to postpone action on this PROPOSE
ton until it has been determined
beyond n reasonable doubt wheth-
or the possession Of the Philippines
will prove as groat blessing to
the United States as the Herald
and other xpansionlsts anticipate?
1t may be that the expectations Of
the latter will be realized in full
measure, in which event wisdom
will be justified of her children
On the other hand, possession of
the Philippines may one day in
volve this country in disastrous
complications Every American
hopes that this will not be the case.
but no man knows enough of the
future to say that the Philippines
will never cause trouble between
the United States and the other
expansionist powers of the world
If there should be trouble and dis
aster should befall the United
States no admirer of Mr.. Mckin-
ley would care to have his name
identified with the Philippines as
prominently as is proposed.
The Herald also states that it is
proposed to change the nomencla-
ture of the entire Philippine ar
chipelago. The Spanish names
are to disappear and the names of
American soldiers, sailors, and
statesmen are to be substituted.
There is glory enough for all, or,
to be more specific, there are ISL
ands enough in the Philippines to
confer distinction upon most of
our leading men. There could be
a Dewey Island, or more properly
Dewey Gulf or Bay, plain Otis
Island and a Rubicon Otis Island
or should it be Rubicon Otis
rivera Lawton Island in fact,
every American Of prominence
who desires to perpetuate his name
and glory would have chance to
achieve distinction in this novel
way. If fthe number of applicants
exceeds the supply Of islands in
the Philippines the bill to be pass
ed by Congress might include
Guam, Porto Rico. the Isle of
Pines and possibly Cuba. II the
United States buys the Danish
West Indies the field would be
still further enlarged.
Probably if a fair share of the
glory is given to ambitious Con-
gressmen they will accept the pro-
position. Americans have. not
been over careful in bestowing
names. Some of the noblest peaks
of the Serras have been named
for little ten penny civil engineers
who were employed by the Union
Pacific to make the preliminary
surveys for that road. There are
instances OF school houses being