Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-17
No Backward Step.

Here are certain propositions which may
be laid down as fundamental truths with
regard to the distant possessions and in
sular interests of the United States: The
American people will not sell, trade or
abandon the Philippine Islands, or in any
d. gree lessen their hold upon them; they
Will not dispose of Hawaii for any con-
sideration. they will hold fast to Porto
Rico they will not diminish their interest
In and control over the island of Cuba
they will not withdraw from their super
vision over the fiscal affairs of San Do
mingo. In brief, the United States will
not take one backward step in regard to
these outlying territories. which are today
either wholly or partly under American
dominion.
These truths remain fixed despite the eff
forts of certain interests, which find their
loudest and most persistent voice though
the medium of the New York Herald, to
make it appear that there is popular dis
content with the present policy in this re-
gard. For many weeks of late the Herald
has been endeavoring to create the i'm
preston that a sentiment in favor of SELL
ing the Philippines is growing in this coun-
try. Fly skilfully manipulating the words
ot a Jew people and distorting the views
of officials and legislators, the Herald has
made a certain showing which may per-
haps for the moment impress the unthink-
ing into the belief that the United States
Is tired of the bargain 1t struck at Paris
In lS9S
The United States will hold fast to the
Philippines for three good and sufficient
reasons. In the first place, we need those
islands as naval and trade base in the
far east In the second place, do
ing there work of humanity and civiliza-
ton In the third place we could not
with honor credit safety transfer
them to any other power, and they are not
in condition to be turned over to their
people for self-g government without super
vision
If a single argument were needed to
persuade any American citizen of the tech
nical value of the Philippines to the United
States it is furnished by the very circum-
stance which sent our flag into those
waters at the outset of the war with
Spain Commodore Dewey was at Hong
kong with his squadron and was forced
by international law TO depart There was
no harbor open to him under the laws of
neutrality, no power serving the United
States as the French served the Russians
in the war with Japan. Dewey had to
Pacific for the United States, a long,
hazardous voyage. leaving the enemy free
to prey upon American shipping in the
Pacific. or he might strike home and
make a base for himself in the enemy's
very stronghold His orders were to Sc
leCt the latter course. the most sensible
and the best stroke of naval strategy. He
created out of his necessity the very solu-
ton of it, and thereby solved at the same
time all the naval and incidentally the
commercial problems which had been vex-
Ing the United States throughout the years
of this country's enormous trade develop
ment.
The case of those who propose the sale
or other disposal of the Philippines is
selfish. cowardly. and, when fully analysed
inane. 1t will not evoke support from the
people. If the issue is ever laid before
the voters of this country it will be met
with an overwhelming decision to keep
the flag where it is now planted and to
continue the work of civilization which
was begun in 1898 and has been carried
to remarkable stage of success in every
department