Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-21
Admiral Dewey's Views.

There are various and sufficient reasons
why the United States should not even
contemplate the sale or other disposal OF
the Philippine Islands just now proposed
in certain quarters as way out or our
alleged difficulties in that quarter. Our
moral responsibility may be advanced. Our
political embarrassment In selecting the
other party TO such a traffic may be in
dicated Our national pride in the ac
compllShment of a task, however difficult.
may he cited. But, to meet the argument
chiefly offered by those who advocate this
transfer of sovereignty. 1t suffices to point
To the immense material advantages en-
joyed by the United States in its possession
of the Philippines.
The whole country acknowledges the right
OF Admiral Dewey to speak with authority
on til. subject of the strategic value of the
archipelago He demonstrated that point
with sufficient clearness on the LIST of M;.y.
1S'S. when a portless wanderer In Asiatic
waters ne sailed into Manila bay. the
enemys very stronghold, and secured for
himself one of the best possible harbOrs
In all the eastern world. In today's issue
of The Star Admiral Dewey reviews. 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 CEN
turtles because of her dominating strategic
position in the far eastern waters. That
she allowed her grasp to weaken. through
disagreement at home and in her colonies.
H. not to the point of the present discussion.
Matters are now differently adjusted. but
with the same end that whoever holds the
Philippines holds the key to the situation
In that quarter 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 compensa tons for our withdrawal in
the favor of any of them. Japan especially,
the admiral points out, would. by the
acquisition of the Philippines. secure an
impregnable line of trade and military de-
tense stretching from the Boring sea to
the equator, covering fifty degrees of lati-
tude. Such cession. with Japan as bene-
fciary. would place that power in full con-
troll of the naval situation in the western
Pacific.
This country must consider such ques-
tons 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 likely 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 insurance
against war. With Hawaii and the Philip
pines under the American flag the United
States Is Infinitely more immune from the
menace of attack upon It's trade or prestige
than though 1t lacked base In Asiatc
waters. There can be no doubt of that
fact. 1t Is recognized today an axiom
by all strategsts.
The proposition to sell the islands Is IN
thinkable. a practical matter. 1t may
be ADVANCED in a spirit of buncombs
and argued as academic diversion But
# will never appeal to the good sense the
patriotism, the enlightened selishness of
the people.