The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-07-27
moKE SMITH ON THE PHILIPPINES.

Hon. Hoke Smith. eX-socretary of the
interior, who was In Washington the
other day, was interviewed by repre-
sentative OF the New York Times on the
Philippine question and came as near
vocing public sentiment In the South in
the matter under discussion as any proml
nent Southerner, possibly, who has spoken
in the premises
The Post quotes the ex-secretarys views
with special pleasure, because they agree
so closely with the position assumed by
this paper from the beginning, and par
ticularly since the Filipino armed attack
upon our outposts at Manila. The distn-
gulshed Georgian among other things
says:
Nlpc-tanths of the people in our section are
oLrosed to continuing the war. The sentiment
all over the South, | believe, Ia overwhelln-
ingly against trying TO retain the Islands. The
Fiipinos are fghting for liberty In the same
way we did hundred years ago, and the
American people are already sick aud tired Of
the slaughter going on there, I am not In
favor OF having our troops leave the Island
with an armed force lined up against them,
hui that would not be necessary, II we would
avow our intention OF leaving the Islands to
the natives and abandon our attempt at sove-
- F'ANN'
aftur We had assisted In establishing govern
meut II the natives so wished, our troops
could properly be withdrawn.
When the first assault was made by the
Filipinos The Post declared that the ma
tives should be given a sufficient demon
stration of the Americans lighting capac-
ity and be punished for the insult to the
flag. We have repeatedly deprecated any
purpose to subjugate the islands as a per-
manont possession, and held that this gov
eminent ought never have attempted to
acquire the archipelago as colony,
But The Post has Just as often declared
that ut was not In favor of having our
troops leave the island so long as there
was an armed force lined up against
them" That would look like cowardlce
and seriously affect our National prestige
In the Far East.
The Post has contended that we should
send large army to the Philippines,
promptly, sweep away armed opposition
and then invite tho Filiplnos to organize
a native, Independent government such as
we have promised Cuba.
Mr. Smith, as The Post does not like
the word 'insurrection." AS he says.
There is no instruction there. There "A
simply an invading army trying 10 con-
luer spirited people" So many people
make the mistake in this country OF mag
ming that there is a rebellion" in tho
Philippines against the United States, and
misguided and deceived patriotism leads
hem TO demand that at whatever cost the
rebellion" shall DO put down Spain had
10 sovereignty to sell when at Paris we
agreed to give her $4,000, 600 for re-
,ellion on her hands. We never had had
he allegiance of the Filiplnos- then
IAN they rebel against us? We are waglng
war OF conquest" plain and simple. /
md the sooner We get out OF IL with
What degree of credit and prestige we can
ommand the better for this Nation and
he better for the FiIlplnos.
In concluding his interview the distin- |
'ulshed ex-secretary very truthfully and
cry timely remarked that President Nc
Smiley entirely misunderstood the sentl-
nent OF our people on the question when |
10 visited the South. He made speech
Atlanta before great throng In which |
e asked the citizens II they wanted TO
ee our soldiers turn their backs on the
american flag In the East and they an
wered No" What else could they say,
SKIS Mr.. Smith. when the question was
ut that way? We could leave the Phil
ppines without leaving the flag or run
ing from the enemy. The ex-secretar,
The Post. Is opposed to spreading
hilantrophy with n gatling gun. L