The main reason was B) Imperialism. They wanted a naval base and coaling station in the “Far East” so the United States would have the ability to commit a larger naval force in East Asian waters and have more say on the European and Japanese rush to divide up the territory and trade in that part of the world. Also it was because a desire for commercial opportunities in Asia, concern that the Filipinos were incapable of self-rule, and fear that if the United States did not take control of the islands, another power (such as Germany or Japan) might do so. The answer to sum up was more power and control at trading.