The Hawaiian gazette., 1907-10-08
ADMIRAL DEWEY'S VIEWS.

Following are the Washington
Stars editorial comments on its
Dewey interview:
There are various and sufficient rea-
sons why the United States should
not even contemplate the sale or other
disposal of the Philippine Islands. just
now proposed in certain quarters as a
way out of our alleged difficulties in
that quarter. Our moral responsible
y may be advanced. Our political
embarrassment in sending the other
party to such a traffic may be indi-
Gated. Our national pride in the ac-
complishment of a task, however diff
ficult, may be cited. But, TO meet
the argument chiefly offered by those
who advocate this transfer of SOW
ereignty. it suffices to point TO the
immense material advantages enjoyed
by the United States in its possession
OF the Philippines.
The whole country acknowledges the
right of Admiral Dewey to speak with
authority on the subject of the stra-
tegic value OF the archipelago. He dem
onstrated that point with sufficient
clearness on the LIST of May, 1898, when,
a portIess wanderer in Asiatic waters,
he sailed into Manila bay, the enemy's
very stronghold, and secured for him
self one of the best possible harbors
in all the eastern world. In today's
issue of The Star Admiral Dewey re-
views. in the course of an interview,
the benefits derived by the trade and
naval interests of the United States
in the possession of the Philippines.
His words go straight to the heart OF
the present discussion
Admiral Dewey declares that Spain
held the commerce of the Orient for
two centuries because OF her dominat-
ing strategic position in the Far East
ern waters. That she allowed her
grasp TO weaken, through misgovern-
ment AT home and in her colonies, is
not the point of the present discus
sion. Matters are now differently ad-
justed, but with the same end that
whoever holds the Philippines holds
the key to the situation in that quar-
ter of the world. The United States
is envied by all the powers because
of this possession Germany, England,
France or Japan would be eager To
offer rich compensations for our with
drawal in the favor of any of them
japan especially, as the admiral
points out, would, by the acquisition
Of the Philippines, secure an impreg-
nabIe line of trade and military de-
Tense stretching from the Boring Sea
To the equator, covering fifty degrees
OF latitude Such a cession, with
japan as beneficiary, would place that
power in full control Of the naval sit
uation in the western Pacific
This country must consider such
questions in terms of foreign trade,
which in turn must be measured in
terms OF possible warfare 1t does not
signify that the United States is like
" to become involved in conflict, to
discuss the strategic strength with
which it is endowed by virtue Of its
sovereignty over the Philippines. Its
very strength in that respect is an in
surance against war With HAWAII
and the Philippines under the Ameri-
can flag the United States is infinitely
more immune from the menace OF at
tack upon its trade or prestige than
though it lacked base in Asiauc
waters There can be no doubt Of that
fact II is recognized today as an
axiom by all strategists-
The proposition TO sell the islands
is unthinkable, as a practical matter
1t may be advanced in a spirit Of bun
connie and argued as an academic d.
version. But it will never appeal to
the good sense. the patriotism, the en-
lightened selfshness of the people.