Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-09-21
VOICES OF THE PRESS.
No Backward Step.
washington Star)

Here are certain propositions which
may be laid down as fundamental
truths with regard to the distant pos
sessions and insular interests of the
United States: The American people
will not sell, trade or abandon the
Philippine Islands, or in any degree
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 in
tereSt in and control over the Island Of
Cuba; they will not withdraw from
their supervision over the fiscal affairs
of San Domingo. In brief, the United
States will not take one backward SteU
in regard to these outlying territories,
which are today either wholly or partly
under American dominion.
These truths remain fixed despite the
efforts Of certain interests, which find
their lOudest and most persistent voice
through the medium of the New York
Herald to make it appear that there is
popular discomfort with the present
policy in this regard. For many weeks
of late the Herald has been endeavor-
ing to create the impression that a
sentiment in favor of selling the Phil
lipineS is growing in this country. BY
skilfully manipulating the words Of Il
few people and diStorting the .iews Of
officials and legislators, the Herald has
made certain showing which may
perhaps for the moment impress the I'M
thinking into the belief that the United
States is tired of the bargain it strucl.
at Paris in 1898.
The United States will hold fast to
the PHILIPPINES for three good and suf1i-
Gent reasons. In the first place, We
need those islands as a naval and trade
base in the far east. In the second
place, we are doing there work of
humanity and civilization. IT. the third
place, we could not with honor or
credit or safety transfer them to any
other power. and they arc not in Il con-
ditiOn to be turned over to their people
for government without supervi-
sion.
IF single argument We're needed to
persuade any American citizen Of the
technical value of the PHILIPPINES to the
United States it is furnished by the
very circumstance which sent orr
flag into those waters at the outset of
the war with Spain. Commodore Dewey
and was forced by internat ional 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 cut and run.
He could strike across the 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 Il
base for himself in the enemy'S very
stronghold His orders were to select
the latter course. as the most sensible
and best stroke of naval strategy. He
created out of his necessity the very
solution of it, and thereby solved at
the same time all the naval and Incl
dentally the commercial problems which
had been VcXing the United States
throughout the years of this country's
enormous trade development.
The case of those who propose the
sal" or ether disposal of the PHILIPPINES
is selfish. Cowardly. and, when fully
analysed. inanc. 1t will not evoke sup
port from the people. If the issue is
| ever laid before the voters of this coun-
try it will be met with an overwhclm-
ing decision to keep the flag where it is
now planted and continue tho work of
civilization which was begun in 1895
and has been carried to remarkable
stage Of success in every department.