The Philippines: An Independent Nation, Not A U.S. Territory
             The United States Navy crushed Spanish forces in the Pacific and American forces in Cuba won decisive battles bringing an end to what critics called "the splendid little war". This "little war" officially came to an end on August 12th, 1898, when the United States and Spain agreed to stop fighting. This agreement allowed Cuba to be free of Spanish rule; the United States received Puerto Rico and one of the islands in the Pacific. But nothing was really decided about what to do about the Philippines, which was under Spanish rule. The Philippines are group of islands in the Pacific Ocean off the southeast coast of China. In December of 1898, a decision was made about the fate of the Philippines. At a peace conference in Paris, France, the Philippines were sold to the United States for twenty million dollars. This decision brought up many questions facing the United States government. Should the Philippines be granted independence and be allowed to rule on their own? Should the !
             United States take over the group of islands or partial occupation? Ultimately, the decision should be to let the Philippines become their own nation and rule for themselves. If the United States did decide to keep the islands it would bring of many problems. Revolts, time, money, lives, and the expanding of the sphere of influence would pose problems.
             One supporter of the occupation of the Philippines is Albert Beveridge, an ally of President McKinley. Beveridge stated in his speech to the President and senators, " God has made us the master organizers of the world to establish system where chaos reigns (Beveridge, pg. 91)." This is a very racist statement and claims we are some master race to rule the world. Beveridge claims that the Filipinos are uneducated and unfit to rule their own nation. This is a completely wrong statement and is unjustified. Beveridge is m...