Omaha daily bee., 1899-02-07
rop 4 PHILIPPINE nEprnLuC.
strong Plea for Independence with
out American Interference.

strong PLEA for independence with
out Americans Interference.
Hon John Sherman in n. v. Independent,
The situation in the Philippines is eN-
tromely serious and the attitude in which
we are found Is not very graceful or con
sistent. There seem to be some men in the
nstion who would drive us on to an attack
and tear to pieces the first Asiatic republic,
but their Influence is growing weaker day by
day. and the signs indicate that the nation
Will act in accordance with humanity, con-
sistency and common sense and acknowl-
edge and respect the government which the
people Of the Philippines have set UP and
which they desire TO support.
The Philippine republic was In existence
long before the Americans arrived at the
place. The Fllipinos were fighting the Span
ish long before we we're If Dewey had
asked for their cooperation they would GER
tainly have co-operated. Their government
is regularly established as the govern
ment of which Washington was the head,
and our position is similar TO that of the
French during the revolutionary war. We
would have thought ii very ungenerous OF
the French II. after helping us 20 drive out
the British they had insisted upon govern
ing us. We would have fought them for
our liberty as vigorously as we fought the
Filipnos will fight us rather than allow us
to rob them of their liberty. This attitude
is natural, for the rule of the Spaniard had
at least the virtue of being understandable to
them, while they do not understand us at all.
1t would be the most foolish thing in all
the histories OF nations for us to attack
and conquer republic merely because we
have the power 10 do it, Such course OF
procedure would violate the precedents we
have followed for hundred years and de-
stroy our moral influence among the ma
tlons.
1t would be the best thing in the world
for the United States and the Filipinos TO let
them form republic after their own method
without any interference from us. 1t might
be different from ours in some ways, as ours
was different from the republics that pre-
ceded it-there must be differences-bIt
that need not give us any concern. What
we should rejoice over is to see Asiatics
setting up a government of the people and
1t is our duty and privilege in the premises
to ac: the part of the kindly sponsor for this
now life and furnish protection rather than
oppression.
A mistake has been made and we have
got to go back. We can afford to withdraw
our army and fleet, even in the face OF
bluster and threats, but we cannot afford
to overturn the cradle of national liberty.
This is coming more and more to be the
feeling in Washington, and the president
would give a good deal if he could only get
our army back without striking or being
struck. Recent movements of our troops
have been construed as threats by the Fill
pinos, who are, apparently, quite capable Of
our men. Only few of them seem
to have any idea of our strength.
E,,ap totn II,
without any struggle and with the good will
of the people, they would be of no use to
us. We have already an immense territory,
much Of which is undeveloped. We own more
than one-third of the continent, including all
its best parts. We should be content. 1t is
true that we have added to our territory in
the past, but in the Louisiana purchase,
the acquisition of Florida and Texas and the
taking in of the territory acquired from
Mexico we have acquired land that was COM
paratively unsettled and which could be
made into states. We could never look for
ward to time when the Philippines could
become a sovereign state and have voice
in the councils of the nation.
/ am not among those who think we
should acquire the Philippines in order to
gain foothold in Asia. We don't want
foothold in Asia. Nor do / think that we
snoulu' NieW Will any JedlOuSy tne SOUTH
ward movement of Russia Russia is our
very good friend and has been so for many
years.
England would like to enlist us in all the
controversies that she has on her hands in
eastern Asia. She would then make sure of
us as an ally. But it is not to our interest
to act in that manner, nor would it accord
well with our past professions of peaceful
ness and humanity.