New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-02-09
THE PHILIPPINE BETRAYAL
Throwing Away National Advan
tages Of Incalculable Value.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: The world war now raging on the
continent. and involving every great natc
except the United States has proven 20 nos
Americans beyond shadow o.. doubt Ia
national safety rests on preparedness Tor VA
President Wilson has become SO profound
convinced Of this truth that Bee has under
taken a special tour OF the country 70 plea.
for immediate and full preparation TO me-
the gravest Of dangers which he asserts
nation Is facing.
Nevertheless, in the very midst Of 'hs'
nerils and pleadings. what an astounding a.
Congress is engaged in committing N %
surrender of the Philippines
Aside from any moral obligation o. q
United States to the people Of the Philippians
10 our own citizens aud their property
these islands and 20 foreigners who have gol'
there under the promise of American so'si'
eighty aside from these considerations taH'
is at this particular moment the one sup'en'
consideration Of the tremendous value Of us
territory 10 the United States as naval r.
source. The power and prestige OF the 0h'"'
States throughout Asia and the Pacine We,
instantly enhanced tenfold when The lh'"-
States gained possession a. those islanl'
From a position o. great weakness N ia
quarter Of the world We d. once were
garded as having attained a position o. }"
mense potential strength. Behind al o. "
diplomacy respecting the territorial n'es't
Of China. the open door, involving d. 10y
commercial rights and privileges o. Amer
cans in the East. stood the solid synoo.
powor. the magnificent naval base OF the ~"
innines. capable Of boundlcss oeyelopn'''
and ready at any momen, for effective use
What is the logic whereby Congress VIZ.
pretending great concern for the naag.'
welfare. now throws away the most comps.
naval base on the Asiatc Coast and se''-'
out Of the Western Pacific.
Every nation on the earth with DRESS
and mower has, so far as possible of'eH
great sacrifice. sought out and gained p0''e.
sion Of strategic points on tho earns -
face. In order that IL may have ready 81 Us
in any ouarte- Of thc globe footaold ~
L
which and with which ro assert its rgn,' .
defend i.s interests Go where you WIZ y.
the face OF the earth YOU VIII ma 10 IL
or poirt Of vantage not preempteo' ST.
upon. fortified. proyis.oned and reaF ~,
The Snanish-Amcrican War oy en'1
brought 20 the United states me rare W.
tunitv Of securing some Of these mo''
able bases from Spain. We had INC
sense 70 take them, a. was OUT rsh1
hold them for our own advantage' a. wen
for the infinite advantage Of the NAIVE y
pies concerned. 100 shC
To see Congress. Just az This time, ~ q
all the world is strain.ug 20 the u."y -.
end means OF defence. .cuttlng out a.
most resourceful Of al these pA.s..,b,y
,t-or.ir,, then, over. as they must p,
90. 20 our most dangerous enemy az ne
eidc. Japan this is maddenins, " rs,,n Is
least Just az the time also "h'" sTi-i,el
threatening to impose upon Ch'ns ia, b
Japancse control Do such mann shor
will be utterly npos- Bile eAoep' 1.-,rie1r
Of force. for American capital OF loS,s
.n,ernrise or anything American 70 - is.renss
mert or cqua! opportunity ID '"S'
field Of unexpected industry. ~, 70 he
II the Philippine question we're 's' ,,o.,ibly
Nkado for settlement he could to' ctonxrss
desire more than the United stS'e'
} roposes 20 give him . ;sIsnds or
A. soon a. we surrender those is - cor.
advantage Is completely gone. No ronc TIE
..er reserved for Us here or thei' 5,sd az
islands will help Us one io,a. l'g ZEE c.
'S'""uS W.. 80. would be in cshs. -,
a 'an5. and japanese aee' or III: .'' Are.
eaancc Would there he for any p' ~ a,rr-ers''
'ca ,,' -arr.son, What chance for an a ,seqs.s
eect thousand. of miles from 'D'
base 90 dissrr l'
To abandon thc Philippine ' ~, Vh'.
United States IN the Western
man or party will stand tor ,,' u,yKlNS
Syracuse. y Y, Feb. ., 1910