The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-07-06


New Yory vening Post says: Little has
yet been heard here Of the settlement Of
the anticipated Philippine problem. by
turning the government over TO the ma
uves and guaranteeing their independence
and yet many persons think that the pro-
| per course for the United States'to take.
| This is generally the plan advocated by
! Democratic congressman Of a philisophic
| turn Of mind. Freedom and self govern
ment for the grea test number of the peo-
| pies Of the world, they declare, are the
| true deal of Democracy, and certainly the
rankest imperialst should not dismiss This
| plan from consideration without giving
| he arguments in it's behalf careful hear
| ing.
| Among the intelligent advocates ftnis
| idea is Representative John Sharp Will
Jams Of Mississippi, who is one Of the
| most highly educated men in congress.
According to the directory ne studied at
the Kentucky Military institute, Univer-
sity of the South, a Suwanee the Univer-
sity OF Virginia, and the University of
| Heidelberg. in Baden. Mr.. Williams is
| serving his fifth terms in congress- and
has principally distinguished himself for
his skill in repartee and wide knowledge
of history and constitutional government.
| Perhaps because his father was killed in
the battle Of Shiloh and of the death of his
mother in consequence, Williams has al
ways taken an extremely southern view
Of most Of the questions which came be-
fore congress. He was a great opponent
of President Cleveland, and has not been
fond o fthe "Mugwump" element in the
Democratic party. But in spite of certain
peculiarties. Williams is a man of serious
purposes and rather broad scholarship,
and a leading exponent of the theory
referred to as ideally Democratic" his
views are of interest.
What would you do with the Philippine
Islands?' I asked Mr.. Williams.
"Why not leave to the natives of the is
lands the poor boon of self government
and independence? The country is theirs;
they han our full sympathy in their con-
test against Spanish tyranny. Why should
we at the last moment deprive them of
thu most sacred right of mankind, the
right to govern themselves? Aguinaldo
and his followers have demonstrated
that they are very far from being savages
as reputed. They have shown a capa-
city for organization, concentration, dis
cipGned movements, and self control
which. while it may not come up to the
fun standard Of the English-speaking
races. shows them at least superior to the
Spaniards who have hitherto held control
of the islands"
Might :hey rot m'sgovern themscl-
vs,"''
so might we, so might the people Of
France, of old Spain. of Honduras, Of
Venezuela, or of San Domingo. In fast,
so do many of the these people all the
time God has not made His agents upon
earth to encircle it with armies and nav
les for the purpose Of preventing peoples
from misgoverning themselves. From
the Spaniards point Of view our whole
theory is a misgovernment-a government
independent Of the church. constitu-
ton without God in IT, From our stand
point the Spaniard's objection is the OBJ
lection Of a medieval and feudal fool.
and I doubt not his objection 10 our god
lessness' seems as rational to him as the
theory is dear to me of separation of
the church and state"
Might not these islands lapse into
How do we know they will? No man
state of anarchy"
can learn 10 walk unless YOU let him try
70 walk; no people can learn to use and
not abuse self government unless you let
them try self government But suppose
they should rapse into anarchy or into
what we might deem anarchy? When did
God or nature give us a globe trOtting
commission as 'anarch forestalylers?'
Shall we not be busy enough if we ward
off the possibility of anarchy coming in
our own national vineyard? Why could
we not a hte end of this war recognize a
government established by Rgunaido and
his companions in arms as the rightful
government Of the Philippine Islands. or
a any rate, Of the main island upon which
the city Of Manila is situated? And why
would It not be perfectly easy to enter
into a treaty with that government 70
which not only we might be parties, but
England and Japan and Germany and
Russia. mutually covenanting for the in
dependence fthe islands. and receiving
in return therefor. not for ourselves alone. /
but for the whole civilized world, the boon
Of free ports and Of approximately, if not
completely. free and untaxed entry OF
goods?
This would avoid all complications. I
would accomplish what Japan and Eng
land have most nearly at heart-the eN-
tension Of commercial relations. would
accomplish the only sensible object that
We have in the east-:he increase of our
ommerce-untaXcd and unfettered: would
be a richly merited reward 20 the people
who have shown themselves ! n-hs hour
Of adversely brave and constant. and IN
the hour Of victory temperate and self
controlled. II IL were thought wise, We
might. for our part receive from the gov
eminent which We thus recognize ard
from the people whose right to freedom .
and independence we had thus consunl- f
mated. q certain amount 81 money, sufff- .
o.ent 20 defrav all Of the expenses Of +
our cooperation. to he secured il is paw .
meHt Icy a lien unon the customs or upon .
The internal revenue taxes % the country. /
I would myself hate 20 see cur great /
government hamVeriuE 70 this p.sa1-urish .
extent q people freshly liberated and new I
To she task q self government. hat some
thing or that sort might be necessary - f
satisfy so-cals3 business interests As
70 coallng stations, the treaty might give
us ore. or TWO. OF more They might be
useful 70 ms IN times II peace. ard all our
interests in the Orien, are in The inter-
ests Of peace.
What could we do WIKI the Philippines
Il we should keep theme
That Is a hard question 70 answer. Ara
-hey to constitute q Ststc2 Are they 20
col-.-,'ute a territory in contemplation OF
developzs,T-t into statehood Are they 10