The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-02-08
WHERE IS THE RESPONSIBILITY ?

IN the day of the ratification OF the Paris treaty
IL statement was published to the effect that
~ the votes of opposing Senators were secured
by an assurance from the White House that the ad-
mnstration does not intend colonial policy in the
Philippines Quite to the contrary OF such policy
it was declared to be the intention of the President
treat the Fpinos like the Cubans, holding them I'm
der temporary protectorate to aid them in the
Enlistment OF an independent government, upon con-
dtion that this country is recouped its expenditures
in their behalf.
We find difficulty in believing this statement to be
true If such be the intention of the President its
frank declaration any time within the last month
would have removed all opposition to the treaty,
would have taken away friction at Manila and avered
the bloody encounter of last Sunday
The whole world has been made aware of the as
piration of the Filipinos for independence. They
have shown it with spirit which commands respect.
The of Cavte asked to be armed to fight for
it. Had they been assured OF support of that
piration instead of suspicion would have been conf
dence, and friendship would have appeared instead of
friction Granting that their attack on Our lines was
act of folly, which must be punished, and that
verely, the responsibility for it is not with the Sena
toral opponents of the Paris treaty. but rests wher
the purpose of this Government to aid their in
dependence cherished in secret instead of being
frankly avowed If this Washington statement be true
some has account to settle the bodies OF
dead and the carnage colored Of the
third battle of Manila.
The country is so willing to follow the President
that he can afford frankness with the people The
treaty has been ratified by the votes of antimperia
lists. Is the country to understand that Senator Nc
Enery's bloodess and colorless resolution of quail
fcation expression of the purpose which secured
the votes OF Faulkner, Gray Jones of Nevada, Lind
say, McEnery, McLaurin and Mason? If so, our
opinion is that it is inadequate expression and will
not satisfy the country We are refusing to pacate
the Fiipinos, and our people proceeding
blindfoded and in the dark apparently in the direc-
ton of another trap set and bated with manifest
destiny" II we are to merely assert Philippine pro-
tectorate final declaration of independence and ask
only repayment of costs, there is better way
to such end than the sacrifice of more American
lives in the slaughter of thousands of people
who offer their blood and bodies in the fear that they
have been merely sold to master. If we are
able to say, in good conscience, that have not
bought Them but their independence, from SPAIN not
another shot need be fired not another tear shed in
the home of an American volunteer
Why should not this assurance go forth as we'll as
order to crush those people? Let us beware of
the consequences to ourselves. If this mean con-
quest and colonization, SO be it, but let not
ceal from ourselves the fact that it will also the
abandonment of every distinctive American policy.
II it be permanent conquest, let the original copy OF
the Declaration of independence which hangs in the
State Department at Washington be no longer pro-
tected from decay Let the parchment rot and the
signatures fade for will have destroyed the spirit
OF the instrument. Let there be also immediate &C
ceptance of General Merritts declaration that have
cutgrown the constitution and it longer deserves
consideration respect, and let the Monroe doc
trne just risen full glory in its last interpretation
be put away "a childish vagary, inconsistent with
the imperial policy and manifest destiny of the ma
tiou