The Republican journal., 1899-06-22
Home Rule for the Filipinos.

The Filipinos are not yet able to gov
ern themselves, and only those who are
not fully informed, or who are actu-
ated by desire for self ACKNOWLEDGMENT
think otherwise. Were we all of one
origin and one faith, the problem would
be much simpler
1t would take a stronger nation from
without to allay sectional iealousies
and racial hate, and to establish govern
ment that can guarantee freedom and
security to every native in every island
to all tribes and races alike without
tyranny and without favoritism. That
Spain failed to do this is no proof that
America will fail. If Holland has made
such signal success in the government
OF her East India possessions, why should
not the United States be able to do as
we'll by us? l believe she WILL and with
me in this desire and belief are a great
majority of the best classes of my coun-
trymen.
But if such is their belief, why then
have the most influential Filipinos sup
ported the Americans with so little
warmth? The reason is not far to seek
The views of the large anti expansion
element in the United States, expressed
in multitude of journals i'll no I'M
certain tone, have filled this class of my
countrymen with apprehension. For
if the Americans have won the Philip
pines only to give them up to anarchy
and racial war, they well know that they,
who have advocated annexation, would
be the first to suffer from the vengeance
of the triumphant rebels.
The high handed methods of Aguin-
aldo in the confscation of property and
the expulsion and execution of those
opposed to his ambition have taught
them what to expect should he have
full sway and undisputed dominion.
1t is America duty to finish the work
she has so auspiciously begun. In say
ing this | am only actuated by the desire
for my country's welfare. | have little
interest in the idea of American i'm
perialism.
Would it not be base to leave the mil
lions of Filipinos who ardently desire
independence under American auspices
and security so long denied them-at the
mercy of a few misguided leaders, OF to
shameless and unprincipled adventurers,
whose course is inspired chiefly by the
thought Of their own gain?
Nothing has encouraged the insurgents
SO much as the attitude of those congress-
men and senators who have persistently
opposed the prosecution of the war against
them.
The rebel leaders, indeed, began to rely
for success more on the aid that they re-
ceived in congress than on their own
proves. The attitude of these mistaken
statesmen has, | am sure, prolonged the
war many months, has paralyzed the in
dustries of my country, and has caused
the death of thousands of Americans and
Filipinos. Their short sighted policy is
therefore greatly to be deplored. Nor
need they think that they have won the
gratitude of the Filipinos. They have
rather their eternal execration, and |
am glad to see that the administration
has not been influenced by them into
position that would mean American dis
honor and our national damnation.
When the war is at an end, and | cannot
see how it can last any longer, the Amer
leans will find active support on the part
of the best element of my countrymen.
The recent proclamation has done much
to assure these of the pacific intentions
and the beneficent purpose of the Amerl-
cans, and bespeak hearty CO. operation
in every province. But the Americans
must learn in whom to trust. Only the
best element among my people should be
selected to aid in the accomplishment OF
this good work; and these, as a rule, will
not be found among the present insur-
gents. Ramon Reyes Laia in Collier
Weekly