Omaha daily bee., 1898-06-17
4 COMPLICATED PROBLEM.

Il UHEBIt1IbD
1t is beginning to be understood that
the problem presented in American oc-
cupation of the Philippines will be COM
plicated. 1t is stated that our govern
ment has been officially advised that
the reports that Germany would make
an issue in the Philippines are unwar-
ranted, the object of that government
in sending ships to Manila being simply
to afford protection to German
subjects and property and with
out any thought of Intervention.
This will dispel any apprehension
of German interference in that quarter
at present, but it does not necessarily
imply that that country will have moth
ing to ga in connection with the ques-
ton of the final disposition of those
islands. The Japanese minister at
Washington has stated in an interview
that his country has no longingS toward
the Philippines, that Japan has quite
enough colonial territory in Formosa,
where she has already had Il costly eN-
perience. Yet it is by no means to be
assumed that Japan will be Il merely
passive spectator when it is to De de-
termined what shall finally be done with
the Philippines. Russia and France, il
is also to be expected, will have some
thing to say, though at present they APP
pear to have no more thought of inter
vention than Germany.
But perhaps the most serious difficulty
hat will confront this government Will
be found in dealing with the philippine
| people who are now cooperating with
Admiral Dewey. These insurgents, it
appears, have their own ideas in regard
! to the political future of the islands and
these do not contemplate the permanent
| possession by the United States of that
territory. A%guinaldo, the insurgent
leader, evidently a man of ability and
force, has Il policy of his own which
undoubtedly is approved by his follow
els. 1t has been reported that the in
%surgents are extremely anxious to get
possession of Manila before the arrival
of American troops, in order to estao-
fish Il provisional government, under the
temporary protection of the United
States. General Aguinaldo'S plan, it is
stated, ~contemplates the independence
of the islands and he expects the United
States to treat the Philippine people rs
it has proposed to treat the CuDanS.
If the insurgents, who have shown
themselves to be most earnestly DESTROYS
of independence and ready to make any
sacrifice to ecure it, shall ask to be
treated with the same consideration by
this country us is accorded to the Gu.
bans, who are in Il practically similar
situation, what answer should we give:
Could we justly or consistently rejec;
the request? Would we be justified il
saying to these people that the war was
not entered upon in their behalf, thai
the capture of their country was an in
cident of the conflict, therefore the!
are not entitled to the consideration ac
corded the CubanS? We cannot think
that Il majority of the American people
would approve of this after the Philip
pine people had given us faithful co
operation and demonstrated their cOur
age in fighting the common enemy. Blu
it may be asked, if the Philippines arr
given independence, "hil ibOul an III
demnity? Should we not hold the island:
to secure reimbursement of the cost o
war? This great and wealthy republi,
can better afford to lose all that the wa
will cost than to coerce any people int
submission to its rule. The cause o
the Philippine insurgents is rs worth.
rs that of the Cubans and we canno
fairly or consistently discriminate be
tween them. IF the latter are entitle,
TO independence the former are equal.
so and they are probably as we'll titte,
for it.
1t will be seen, then, that it is not n
together what European powers ma.
desire, but also what the Philippine pee
pie who have been fighting for indc
pendence may wish, that promises t
complicate the Philippine problem. On
first and imperative duty is to dea
/, justly with those people.