The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-05-03
Secretary Longs Answer 20 the Ad-
ministration's Critics.

IulnlSJlatlon CTltlCS.
A philosophic view of the Philippine
problem is taken by the secretary of
the navy. In speech delivered at
Boston on Dewey day Mr.. Long direct
cd the attention of New England to
the fact that no real difference in pol
icy exists between the administration
and its critics. The difference is main
ly one of words.
In the prosecution of the war" said
he, 'it is clear that as a military move
ment, as proved by it's success, the
thing to do was to strike at Spain in
the Philippine islands, and that having
conquered her there, we held the
Philippines as a result of the war. Per.
sonaliy, | should have been very glad
If, as | said once before, that elephant
had never been put upon our hands.
But at the end of the war the islands
were in our hands. There was almost
unanimity of agreement-our beloved
senator, Mr.. Hoar, himself agreeing
that these islands should not be left
in the hands of Spain. 1t is possible
you may think otherwise, but l am
clearly of the opinion that, going a step
further our government could not
abandon these islands at once, which
would have been to leave them and
all their property and interests in a
state of chaos. Indeed, that seems to
be the final opinion of the recent meet
ing in fremont Temple, in which so
many of our respect citizens partici-
pated; for, in reading the report of
that meeting / am very much struck
with the utter divergence between the
tone of the speeches there and the
tone of the resolutions adopted. These
| resolutions expressly provide that be-
fore even entering upon the basis of
recognition of the freedom and indie
pendence of the islands, there shall be
proper guarantees of order and protec-
tion Of property. Also that the United
states shall encourage and assist in
the organization of government there,
and not until this organization is stable
shall the United States recognize the
independence of the Filipinos, and even
then only gradually withdraw its mill
tary and naval powers. In other
words, the minute that meeting came
it adopted almost exactly the line
which the president expressed for in
stance, in his Boston speech, and which
he has been consistently following.
"One would think from what some
say that the president had gone out
of his way to begin an assault and in
Vasion upon the Philippines. on the
contrary, at the date to which l have
referred. around that great city of
Manila, where life and property were
| congregated and entitled to protection.
| Asuinaldo and his followers were maxi
| ing their assault, shooting down our
| soldiers, creating riot and disturbance,
endangering life and property, actually
! lighting the torch and attempting to
| burn the city. / cam hardly believe
that even the critics of the administra-
| tion approved of this at that time or
| that they approve of the Filipinos FIR
| ing on our flags Of truce. And yet [
can not help noticing that some of
| them have no word of sympathy for
our soldiers and countrymcn, who, in
their line of duty, We're exposed to
! those dangers in and about Manila
| They have no word of praise for the
gallant Funston. Yet when Hora thus
won eternal fame by swimming the
Tiber, he was escaping from the foe;
when the young Kansan crossed the
Rio Grande, il was to attack the enemy
and in the very teeth of the enemy's
fire. But if some atrocious slander is
invented against the good conduct or
humanity of our army it is source Of
delight to them"
The CHEEKY philosophy in Secretary
Longs nature shows forth in these
words; 81 am one of those who be-
licve in freedom of speech. There are
occasions when those in official posi-
tions are expected TO be reserved. Rut
among the people / think criticism of
those in power is often useful and
good, even if not wholly warranted
as well as praise. have no doubt that
1t is all right for those who do not
like the way things are run to pitch
into those who run them. A hard
I
term does no real harm. 1t is very
much like debate in congress, where
two members of that august body
seem 10 flay each other and then shake
hands when they meet outside and find
the cuticle unbroken. No great harm,
| say will be done so long as the great
public makes the proper discount. You
certainly may be sure of one thing,
that the administration is Just as hu-
name ana just as eager to do right as
any man or woman in Massachusetts
and that is the highest standard |
know of on all this footstool. You may
be sure that ii has not the least idea
of putting any shackles or fetters on
any Filipino, not so much as cotton
twine string around his ankles. You
may be sure that it is more eager to
stop bloodshed and secure peace than
you are, because it has to bear the