The Washington herald., 1907-09-22

Politicians in Washington last night had
little TO say as 10 the probable effect Of
the announcement made yesterday by Ad-
miral George Dewey that the government
can find no possible excuse for parting
with the Philippines.
His contention that this government
came by the islands honestly, and during
the course of events, that could not be
controlled, was such that none cared COM
bat il, particularly as Admiral Dewey is
the man who captured Manila during the
Spanish-American war.
The AdmiraIs fiat and strong statement
that the United States has duty to per-
form from which it cannot shirk, is taken
in some circles TO mean that the argu-
ment viii be used during the coming ses-
sion of Congress, and as the basis for
revision of the tariff schedules. that have
created so much agitation recently.
His belief in the strength or the Islands
as a protection of American commerce in
the far East. which will be taken up 10y
the general board OF the navy on Tues
day, is based on his knowledge of the sit
uation, gained after long study, and is
wholly accepted in many circles.
Reasons for Retention.
I'VE want our share Of the enormous
commerce Of the East, and we cannot
keep the door open for it unless we hold
the Philippines" said Admiral Dewey.
I DO not believe the United States VIII
ever abandon the islands. Certainly we
should not, because we have too much at
stake. It is only our control over the
Philippines that makes it possible for US
TO insist upon the open door in the East,
toward which our diplomacy has been di-
Tected for a number OF years.
Through the fortunes of war, we have
obtained, rightfully and without chica-
merry, the best and most strategic posi-
tion possible, giving us superior naval
and commercial advantages over the
other nations. What sort of common
sense would il be for US TO give up such
a posidon2
why did Spain for 200 years dominate
the commerce Of the Orient2 Just be
cause she had the bay and harbor of
Manila as a great commercial and naval
base. That base can be just as useful 10
US commercially as it was 90 Spain.
For the past ten years Germany, Eng
land, France, and Russia have been try
ing 10 get a foothe3d for commercial and
naval purposes in Eastern waters Why
suppose we should dispose Of the Phil
ippiues and Japan should acquire them
The islands stretch along the coast Near
the japanese islands, there Is Formosa
which Japan owns, and then come the
Philippines. If Japan had them, she
would command every gateway TO the
Orient and the United States would be
completely shut out.
Orient Coming Field.
Every one comedies that the Orient is
the future great field for the principal
commercial nations Of the world. We
ought 70 be the leaders, bur We must at
least have a share in the enterprise, and
IL order 10 do so we must maintain the
position we have occupied through force
of circumstances in that region.
I am talking now of the purely com
mercial phase Of the question, and I think
it is plain that we must have a CONNER
clal base Of operation such as Manila
furnishes. And then, in order 20 protect
our commerce. we must have naval
base. and at Subig Bay such a base is
now being developed.
Congress has recognized our needs in
the Philippines and has appropriated lib
orally for f0rtifying the Islands. Modern
guns are being mounted. a large dry dock
has been located in Subig Bay, troops are
stationed in the Island OF LuzOn, and in
every way Congress has shown its desire
10 protect the islands from foreign ag
gresston and also TO establish a base for
possible military operations
People VIII Not shfrk.
United States has assumed responsibilities
in the Philippines which il cannot pass
over 10 other hands. do not care to
discuss this phase Of the situation, except
10 say that I believe the American people
VIII never shrink from such responsible
ties as We're assumed for them when the
United States took over the Philippines.
7 was very glad TO see that Mai. Nc
Intyre recently exploded the popular idea
that the United States paid twenty mill
lions TO Spain for the Islands. He made
Il clear that when the treaty OF Paris
was signed the Spanish commissioners
agreed % settle all their numerous
claims for the sum mentioned and 10
throw in the Philippines. and showed
thar by accepting this offer the United
States avoided the necessity Of taking
over tHS 'Abtu vitA ItEiJ Illtdu NtDL.
Commercially Important.
But the commercial side of the mat
ter. in which our farmers. our manufac-
turers, and all our people are concerned
IS to my mind Of greater Importance; and
I want 10 emphasize my belief that the
United states as a world power win al
ways nave commercial and diplomatic in
terests in the far East. and cannot main
tain Itself properly without a base Of
operations The United States cannot
withdraw from its present enterprise in
the East but must 60 forward seeking
its share Of the advantages and sustain
ing its share Of the responsibilities
We cannot afford 20 turn over to the
other nations OF the world all the vast
commerce Of the East and restrict our
selves to our own Pacific Coast The an
nex3tion of Hawaii was in pursuance Of
a policy of commercial expansion and
protection in the Pacific which the states
men Of a few years ago f0Tesaw as both
inevitable and advisable for the United
States. We are fortunate that what was
acquired through their wisdom has been
supplemented. in = legitimate and honor
able way by the cession of the Philip
pines 10 our country, and we should
never let go the immense commercial ad-
VantaEes we have thus secured -