The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-12-06
JAPAN IN THE PHILIPPINES.
Why Spain Hna II .aaou TO Fear the
Mtkndo's Interference.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SuS-Sir: After the
war with China. Japan's only aim Is TO fortify
itself against any foreign attack or Intrusion.
ard to continue in peace It's wonderful moral
as well rs material development. We are not
a conQuertng people. We don't want TO be
in Asin u constant menace to European inter-
ests, as 1t has been said so often. Spain. espe-
cially. has nothing to fear from us with re-
gard TO the Philippine Islands. and we have
signed with. Spain n treaty about our mutual
rights In the boundaries OF our d. minions.
But you can easily unders Land that In case
OF serious troubles in the Philippine Islands.
which could harm our interests or be a danger
10 our commerce. apan would have to do some
Il ing. Our position in such grave clrcum-
stance would be simila- to that in which the
United States find themselves now with regard
to the war in Cuba. We shall never assume
an aggressive attitude. W. shall never try to
conquer the Philippine Islands, but can n great
neighboring power ignore a threa ienlnG revolt
at its own doors? Can 1t remain Indifferent 10
what could be a danger for its own standing
in Asia?"
These words were said to me by his Excel
lency. S. Kurino. form r Minister of japan in
Washington. and now Plen'potentiary Minis
ter of the same nation in Italy, In a converse
lion | had with him last sum- ler while ell route
to Southampton from New York on board NJ
the American line steamer st. Paul. Nothing
was known then about the possibility OF an
outbreak In the Philippines. but alter it hap
pened. and now, when an international sensa-
ton has been created by the news OF a Japa-
nese warship going with secret orders to Ma
Mia, those words appear very important
Did Japan know sbout the preparations for
the revolt In the Philippines. when even tho
Spanish authorities there wera unconscious of
~ M T.
and public opinion in Spain attributes to
Japnn's secret aid to the revolutionists that the
latter were able to stand well armed and forth
fled against the Spanish troops commanded by
GEL. I.anco. But Spain cannot say now that
she was ignorant that Japan was a menace 10
her rule In Asia. Besides the many logical
considerations which ought to have opened the
syes Of the blind Government of S"hor Canovas
del Castillo in this matter. the word OF warn
ing was issued in MadTld In due time to carry
out n better policy in the Philippines. prevent a
revolution there. and avoid all interference on
the part Of Japan. Sehor .horat. doubtless a
keen-s!ghted Spanish politician. said in n IA
nous lecture HI gave at Madrid last year. when
nothing was heard OF any revolt OF the Philip
pines. that the mother land should have a bet
Ter government in her Asiatic archipelago 10
make the natives love spain. and at the same
time she should prepare herself to resist the
japanese influence.
Instead OF doing that, Spain, as in all her
VII tTthttu Tic III bho 4 illiiI-
Pile Islands not even as men. b"t worse than
dogs. All, the reports published these last
c%ruslties by the spaniard- in the
archipelago are no"thinGcompared lowhht is.hap-
pen.ng there year after year. In Manila the ma
tives are employed as servants. and 70 punish
them when they commit some fault in the
opinion of their masters they are tortured;
sometimes TO death. a native Is mover al
lowed TO sue n Spnniard, and even though II IL
not legal, II is a ACT that 10 may got even
maintain his wife or family IT. IA Spaniard
chooses 10 make the woman MS mistress.
When one native has any Ciril procedure
against another native. and hotn appear be-
fore II MuGistrate. the latter fayOrs In his son.
teuce the one who offers him more money, and
the punishment on the other - In accordance
been sa d about the judiciary immortality In
Moro,Go. where, Judgments in civil cases are
what happens in tho Philippine Islands, The
Nnaistrate himself. as g public smGtionecr,
the other. pushes his price until he secs that
one OF the narties has no more resources.
In the other branches OF the HaminlstrAt Ton
a'h, besides the other lea y duties imposed
But a man has to pay his dollar several times
Without protest to satisfy the rnpacity OF the
been worse treated than those natives are. and
rs a consequence of this thousahda o. tnsin
rule. and where. long before the actual war,
no spaniard dared o pass for his lies sake;
To pnderstand, what a stupid policy ;hat is,
and what Spain IL on the eve OF losing by her
own fault, Il is enough to know that the Phil;
ippine Islands occupy an area OF 2oo'Ooo
square Kilometres. aud have 100000 inhaOi-
tants. Spain's right to their, possession comes
from the year 1871, when Magailanes 'iscov-
croi them. Their land ia of uncomfortable
fertility. They produce sugar, coffee. cocoa.
tobacco, and every kind OF valuable spices.
A range OF mountains, known as taraballo.
tfayerses them, and from the mountains m@gnin-
cent rivers CONE. MS the C,agayan, the Pasig.
and the Wool. The Island of Luzon, where
Manila. the capital, Is, was said by the ia
nous Spantah sailor Mendez Nunez Tn be
worth an empire" What should that Rrchi-
sides their magnificent position for navel pur-
poses. Is not their value to be considered as
one Of JapSn's moti"es Of Interference in the
present reyolution2
rebellion are the Free Masons. natives In the
majority, and deadly enemies OF the priests.
who. ~ true representatives OF the Spanish
domination, are there the real rulers. The
Free Masons protest in arms against the hor-
their heroic struggle for liberty look TO tho
United States as q savior, they look to ia
Japan arms and ammunition. And II they
do not achieve their Independence, the annex
alton 70 Japan OF the Philippine Islands Is
the manifest destiny Of ths archipelago;