Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-04-25
The Policy Suggested Regarding 0p-
erations in the Philippines.
EFFECT OF RACIAL AFFILIATIONS
Transforming the Solder Into the
Colonist.
LOOKING TO TIE FUTURE

A policy is being discussed I'm regard to
| the future military operation of this gov
ernment In the Philippines. which is at
| tracing much attention among those TO
whose attention II has been brought and II
will unquestiOnabiy he considered by the
administration in the near future. This
policy is advocated with the idea that GER
tain racial affiliations may be utilized in a
way To defeat rchcllious acts on the part
of Aguinaldo and his party and TO bring
peace to the newly acquired possessions Of
the United States in the east.
1t is proposed to utilize negro troops in
the Philippines to Il very large extent, and
it is suggested that the four negro rcCi-
ments now in ths country bc ordered for
this duty. and that they be followed in the
near future 10y five additional regiments or
volunteers made w of colorcd mon. 1t is
not generally understood that about one
third of the population Of the Thili.I ines
are negroes of the same race as those of
the United States They are the ab,rigincrs
of the islands, who were sub5Gna 10y the
Malay race now dominant there among the
natives. These natives are not numerous
about Manila. hut on me Of TIA" islands
they comprise nearly the entire population.
That is the case especially on the Island Of
Negros.
Would Weld TO thc Negroes.
1t is argued that if colored troops were
sent among these people they would more
readily succumb 10 their rule ard prefer
them to the race Of which AGui&alIo is
the leader. In short time it is thought
there would be an assimilation between the
negroes Of the Philippines and their kin
Gred from the United States
1t is believed by those who advocate this
plan that the coiored men Of the south
would gladly embrace the opportunity for
manly effort that would be given them
through the execution of such a campaign.
There are considerable tracts Of land in
the PHILIPPINES that have never been set
tied and that would offer attractive homes.
Much of this land is I'm the public domain
and under favorable conditions that could
be arranged would be available for settle
ment.
Opportunity for CoIored CoIonists.
The colored men Of the United States
would have opportunities to get homes and
would have before them the possibilities Of
careers they could not hope for in the
United States. The highest political Offices
of the islands would be within the grasp or
any one who could become dominant among
men of his own race. Business and other
opportunities would be open To them, ana
there would be none Of that racia preJu-
dice to encounter that is SO detrimental to
their advancement in This country.
Soldiers would Become CoIonists.
II is not believed that there would be any
retrograde movement among the colored
race of this country transplanted to the
Philippines. They would have outlined for
them that same form of republican govern
ment to which they have been accustomed
at home, and they would have a better
chance to enjoy the results Of their ambi-
tion than they have ever known ia me
United States Those who advocate the
forwarding of negro troops to the Philip
pines believe that their families should be
sent along with them whenever desired SO
that their long separation from home might
not make them feel as eXilcs. As soon as
hostilities in the Philippines have ceased
there will be great deal OF pubic work 10
be done, and that would give desirable en-
pIoymeut to large numbers Of people. 1he
colored men from the United States would
have opportunities 10 iii responsb places
on such works. 1t is believed that once a
tide of emigration were started from TINS
country to the Philippines Il would result
so satisfactorily to the colored people that
large numbers of them would seek "A new
home in the islands OF the east.
The emigration of colored men is re-
garded as the natural outcome OF military
operations, which would involve their use
in Suppressng insurrection III the Philip
pines. With a third Of the population OF
those islands strongly antHgonisuc to
Aguinaldo and welcoming the coming of
colored men of their own race and Of IN
telligence superior to their own, it is be-
Heved that an enormous influence for tu-
ture peace would be secured.
Those who advocate this plan strongly
condemn the sending of colored troops to
Cuba, where. ii is said, that race tends TO
incite opposition instead of being d power
for good.