the lust of conquest, but shall be unselfishly used only in the name of humanity, of civilization and liberty—thus winning anew the confidence and respect of the world.
TO PRESIDENT McKINLEY
My last letter having remained unanswered, I must conclude that you have thought it best not to respond to the suggestion therein submitted to you. Profoundly convinced as I am of the great importance of having the good opinion of foreign nations on our side in this war, and anxious to do all I can to that end wherever I may have opportunity—although as you may conclude from the enclosed clipping it is uphill work—will you bear with me if I return to the charge and pray you to read all I wish to say on this subject, although it may try your patience? I am now preparing a letter, instead of the interview mentioned in my last, which I intend to send over to Germany for publication in a few days.
It can hardly be denied that in our case a strict and outspoken adherence to our original declaration as to the object of the war will be for us the only honorable and thus also the most advantageous policy. If we turn this war, which was heralded to the world as a war of humanity, in any sense into a war of conquest, we shall forever forfeit the confidence of mankind, and we shall be met with general distrust in our international relations under circumstances which will make that distrust especially troublesome and dangerous.
If, on the other hand, we keep our word, annex none of the Spanish colonies we may occupy, make Cuba, and, as the case maybe, Porto Rico independent, and dispose of the Philippines—assuming that we get control of them and find it impossible to return them to Spain—to some Power
