The San Francisco call., 1899-12-12
FRYE ON THE PHILIPPINES.


the Senate Committee on Commerce and is re-
- garded as standard American authority OF
commercial questions He has been regarded from
the beginning as stanch imperiast, and therefore
his recent interview on the Philippines will cause
some surprise
He is reported as saying that the Republican party
proposes certain policies in the Philippines, among
which good government and decent wages, and
effort in the natives the ambition to be-
come good citizens. This latter proposition reminds
one OF Rob Roy's reception OF Bailie Nicol Jarve's
advice to the Highlander to give his sons educa-
ton
Standards OF life are racial standards. Good citi-
zenship may mean a far different thing to Filipino
and a native OF Maine
The Senator adds that possibly the Filipnos
become fit to establish republican, stable and strong
government, able to preserve order and peace pro-
tect life and property and observe their international
obligations, and that possibly, when that time ar
rves." We being the sole judges, might surrender to
them the sovereignty, reserving to ourselves naval
and coaling stations
The Senator adds TO this qualified promise that he
personally would surrender the sovereignty
any people, within the islands or without.
The first clauses OF his interview hold hope that
is snatched away by this last qualification.
Americans who believe in their institutions would
be delighted if this country should become the ac-
tive agent in the founding OF Asatic republic in
those islands. Asian countries have long been gov
erned by absolutism and the strong hand. Their sub
lection to Occidental conquerors has not changed
their condition in that respect This republic has
long been known to them as the worlds best expo
nent of self-government. The name OF Washington
known throughout the Orient and is respected as
that of the founder of segovernment on this con-
tinent. But the Fipinos the first Asatics to
enter into that enlightened condition in which they
have been fired by Washington's example. Senator
Frye shows uneasy conscience in the first part of
his interview and appears to feel in considerable
strength the impulse of Republican principles He
admits that those people may become capable OF ad-
ministerng independent government under repub-
ican forms. but declares that, if they do, he
personally will oppose permitting them to enjoy
that for which they prove themselves fitted! This is
4 vital inconsistency. He does not, as a counter
proposition, express his intention to admit them as
citizens OF this republic panoplied in statehood and
sharers OF birthrght OF selfgovernment, subject
to the constitution. This means that when they prove
themselves capable of seligovernment they are not
to have IT, either under a polity OF their as
iul citizens OF the United States
ANY one will see at the Affections of such
condition. To their admission to full citizenship in
the United States people will feel grave obec-
tions republic to endure and fulfill its function
must have racial homogeneity No art nor education
can dssimiate and abolish racial differences OF char
The strength spent in the effort is an economic
waste. Therefore il is the fact that If we do not
cherish, ultimate purpose the final indepen-
dence OF the Philippines, the line OF our example
and under the shield OF our friendship we must hold
them as subject people, the spoil of our bow and
spear. What the result will be can be foreseen in
the recent uprising in. Negros. The Presidents mes
sage dwells at length upon the happy conditions in
that island. Its people represented as joyully
accepting our sovereignty and fattered by coming
under our jurisdiction But as military vigi-
lance over them relaxed, and almost before the
Presidents words in type, they rose and saugh
tered the only white they could get at valuable
and devoted army officer. There is every reason to
believe that had considerable number OF Americans
in civil life been among them they would all have
shared the fate OF the luckess lieutenant who fell
II is expectation based in human nature that
to their friendship by doing for them
those things which they aspire to do for themselves
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