The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-12-16
FRIDAY. ........ December 10, 1898
NEW LIGHT ON OUR COLONIAL.
POLICY.

Through the hazy talk about destiny
and the necessity for the United States
to act as the quixotic evangel of free
dom and liberator of the oppressed, the
true situation in the Philippines and
the meaning of the administration $
poliey toward the islands are coming out
distinctly. And we are by no means
placed in a creditable light by either.
At the hearing before the House
Committee on Military Affairs ON last
Tuesday, the following occurred:
1.-THE most important testimony of the
day was given by Major Simpson. After
spehding much of the time in discussing
the general tenor of the bill, Mr.. Cox
and Mr.. Hay put several questions to
Major Simpson as to the necessity for n
large army in the Philippines. rs it not
for the purpose of shooting down the
Eilipinos if they do not accept our
ideas.'' asked Mr.. Cox. After much
hesitation and several attempts to evade
the direct question. in which he was as
sisted by Mr.. Hull and others of the
committee, Major Simpson admitted that
it was. There was no other reason ylsi-
bic. said Mr.. Cox, and he continued TO
press Major Simpson for further mfor-
nation as 10 the condition of the Islands
and the aptitude of the people for indc-
pendent government.
..In the course of the statement, Major
Simpson said there would be no necessity
for an army in the islands except 70
auell an instruction among the ma
tiyes. - s.
In other words, if the bumptious
Filipinos fail to recognize the pure dis
interestedness of our motives and TO re-
ioice in the privilege Of getting the
Dingley tariff and tracts without cost
the $4,000 American troops to be sta
toned there win make them properly
grateful with rapid fire guns, and teach
them. the beauties of American clyiliza-
ton and liberty with bayonets and
! Krag,Jorgensens. After enjoying liber'
ty as a people for something like a cen
fury and a quarter, and vaunting our
: selves as somewhat better than all tht
rest of the world on that account, we
undertake q war of liberation in the III
terest of others and when we have zoos.
ened the grip of Spain and the liber ated
ask for what they were giyen to expect
liberty, we are to wipe them Off uit
face of the earth, if need be, to make
them docile and tractable vassais.
When the justice or wisdom of this
course is questioned, as it recently was
in the Senate of the United States, oil
the ground that it is contrary to the fun
damental law of the land, and at yarianc'
with the institutions of the republic
the astounding answer is made that
is american destiny" and that we ar
given the right to acquire foreign terri
tory ''by virtue of our existence as
nation" That the people who happel
to be camping on the territory in quea
ton should object TO our acquiring il
''by virtue of our existence as nation
or otherwise, is not worthy Of consider
alton for moment.
In justification of this policy Of rapi'
fire freedom, one esteemed exponent 0
destiny makes this naive statement
Nothing could be clearer than that tn
Government that Cuba, Porto Rico am
the Philippines is to enjoy under tn
American flag will be infinitely superio
to that which was provided by Spain.
But. of course. if the inhabitants are s
unreasonable as not to enjoy III
government we provide then we sha
do as Spain did, shoot them, ''by virtu
of our existence as a nation
If South Dakota wants dispenser
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